Half An Hour

In half an hour, I have to give a presentation on CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy, NOT cock and ball torture -- thank you very much Mr. SGM!) to a group of my peers. It's a small group; 5 grad students and a professor. Since it is the last day of classes for us, at least 5 of these people will show up late, not come at all, or at the very least text each other on their Blackberries throughout. The last presentation of the year is always a tough spot to be in becuase everyone has basically tuned out. Those who do manage to show up, are late, distracted, and sometimes just plain fall asleep. This phenomenon is most likely when your class is at 8:30 in the morning. Heh heh heh... They don't know WHAT they are in for. I have mandatory class participation and a very Socratic style. Those in my cohort that have been to my presenations before know that I ask people directly for their opinion (although just opinions, never a "right" answer cause that would be mean!), to give examples, to talk about their own experienes clinically AND I've even been known to politely ask someone to put their Blackberry away. "Oh, Student X, that seems like a really important call you need to take. Do you want to excuse yourself so you can talk to them out in the hallway? I don't want you to miss it if it's important. We'll wait for you. We don't mind." Done in the right tone of voice, this strategy has the effect of letting the offender know you're calling them on their inconsiderate bullshit, while still appearing professional and even considerate in the eyes of your other classmates. Then, if you listen very closely, you can hear the muted pings of 5 other people turing off their cellphones under their coats. Sweetest sound... It's three classes back-to-back-to-back today 8:30-5:30, ending with the exam for the class I TA. Then I'm going to the library, because just because classes are over does NOT mean that I don't have 5 more assignments due next week. I am a GRAD student!