Grading tips and tricks

It is that time of the semester when final exams and papers are being turned in.  It is a busy time for the students. They have so many obligations from their different courses. As the students are turning in assignments, it occurred to me that it’s not any easier for the faculty. The students who turn in those assignments will need them graded. Some of the students, specifically the seniors, need their grades turned in this coming Friday. So how can faculty balance all of the grading? Well, here are a few tips and tricks that I have done, read about, or been told. Feel free to take some time and read them, but I hope you don’t use this as a procrastination tool:

• While grading papers, make sure you’re not near a computer or a phone. This way you won’t find yourself finishing “that super important email.”
• If you need to use a calculator, then use a real one. Don’t use your phone because you might happen to check in on the “news.”
• Reward yourself every time you finish grading an assignment. You could reward yourself after each student or you could reward yourself when you’ve finished a group of students. Some rewards may include:
  • A standing stretch
  • A walk around the yard, room, or office
  • A YouTube clip (if you can limit yourself to a short one)
  • A refill on your drink or water
  • A celebratory dance with one song so you don’t get too carried away
  • A piece of candy or chocolate
• Read the papers without anything in your hand. No pencil, no pen, nothing. This is to familiarize yourself with the work and concepts. Do this for several papers. Once you’ve done this, go back with a pencil or pen and feel free to go crazy.
• Before reading a student’s piece, declare one quality that you admire about this student. This may help guide you with how to grade the paper and/or give the student feedback.
• Make a to-do list of all the assignments, papers, or exams you have to grade. Once you’ve finished a set or something on the list, cross off the item. There is something so gratifying about crossing off some words on paper.
• Location is key when grading! If you find yourself catching some z’s while grading, try a different chair or position. For some people, completely changing their grading location sets the tone, so feel free to go to a library or coffee shop to grade those assignments.
• Look for the good. As your grading, remember the ups and downs of the semester, but also remember what fun you had with these students and with this assignment.

These tips and tricks are only a few possibilities to help you accomplish this daunting task of grading end-of-the-semester assignments. If you have other suggestions, feel free to add them below!