First Day of School: Grey's Anatomy Style

Didn't sleep much. Get up before alarm goes off. Eat breakfast. Take shower. Get ready to leave.

Arrive at school. Check email. Check mailbox. Get classroom ready. Give yourself a pep talk.

Stand at door. Watch freshmen walk around lost. Feel sorry for them and help them out. Remember what it was like to be a freshman.

Watch upperclassmen run when the hear the tardy bell ring.

Greet students. Take roll. Introduce myself. Ask what they've heard from other students about the course. Reassure them that all the rumors are true.

Except the one about this class being easy.

Discuss classroom rules and procedures. 

Distribute three-page course syllabus. Wait for it...

Distribute homework list for the semester. Wait for it...

Then a kid raises their hand...

"You mean to tell me we have homework every night?"

"And we actually have to read our textbook?"

Yep. Welcome to junior year. And they all look at me like...

Promise that it won't be as bad as they think it will be. That these are things they will be required to do when they get to college. And that no amount of whining will change it.

Decide it will be fun to play a "get to know you" game. Some kid makes a snippy remark. It's decided...

A kid from last year stops by to say hi. Wants to tell you all about their summer and how bummed they are that they didn't pass their AP exam.

Is it time for lunch yet? No? Okay. Quick snack?

Another bell. Another class. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Tell students I graduated from UCF. Some kid decides to challenge me and says that [insert any other Florida college] is better.

Forgot to drop off copies in front office. Ask if a student wants to run an errand.

Another kid thinks they can hide their cell phone under their desk and text a buddy - after being asked to put it away twice before. 

Congratulations. My phone now. Pick it up at the end of the day.

Lunch time! Quick! Scarf down food so there is time to check a few more things off my to-do list.

One more class period to go!

Finally, 3:30 rolls around. You watch as students head to the bus loop. Back inside. Clean up desk. Lay out stuff for tomorrow. Turn everything off. Head home.

Too bad I don't drink....