Self Promotion

The two occasions when I feel great about my TA job are while paying semester fee and reading the Evals from students. The monthly pay for the GTAs in EE department is too low compared to the amount of work one has to put to accomplish the task. You are only paid for 8 hrs a week but are supposed to teach 2 sections of (3 hrs each) lab, stay in office for 2 hours per week, grades 20 odd students’ lab report, sometimes design the lab, prepare your lab, prepare your Lab notebook and meet the Course instructor once a week for around 1 hr. Above all you need to perform end of semester lab cleanup on finals week. Most of the international students (Only international students are TA in EE dept) feel this is exploitation but still there is quite a competition for TA positions because it lowers your semester fee to one third and it’s a better experience than putting long hours in restaurant, canteens or working as custodians. So, it seems there is no end to exploitation in near future.

Going through the comments in Eval form has always been a great experience to me from last three semesters. I enjoy reading students appreciating my work and suggesting ways to improve my teaching. I am going to share this year’s comment with you.

1. He is not only an instructor, but a friend and goes all the length to make you understand the material.
2. The design labs were more interesting and little harder than the regular labs.
3. Great Job Saurav
4. I enjoyed the design labs for more than any lab ever. Great Job Saurav, hope to see you next semester.
5. The first design project was a good experience. I liked it more than a “Cookie Cutter” lab. The 2nd design project was not a positive experience. It was very frustrating. I didn’t learn much.
6. The instructor was great. I do wish he would try a little harder to make sure a student’s question is answered completely. The design labs were great.
7. Saurav is a really helpful TA in Tron. He was also excellent in circuits 1. Very nice guy.
8. Saurav did a good job explaining how to use the lab components and helping with problems.
9. Yay Saurav
10. Saurav is one of the best lab instructors I have ever had.
11. I liked the design application of this course. I felt it gave a real life feel to the study of Electronics. The TA was good teacher and helped us answer our questions.

There were couple funny comments too which I did not understand completely.
1. I like Squirrels
2. Saurav Kicks Ass!

These days

These days I am bifurcated between studies,work and Nepal Nite preparation. Thanks god I am doing ok in studies, which is my prime concern even though its receiving really less time these days.

I am also enjoying US politics at the moment esp the democratic race. Obama is pressing on despite all odds and now it seems he might just be able to outflank Hillary. Everone knows Hillary is formidable but we have already seen some surprises. Lets see how Texans and Ohioans vote on March 4.