Get Your Students Hired
I have to respond.... Lunch off campus would be amazing. However, eating lunch at all would be even better. The demands in a career school in this economic climate is incredible. Between expectations of school, of student compliance and attendance, and financial burdens personally , I take refuge in a long commute to work and my favorite music on the radio. Iam thinking I am not alone-
STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well, it's actually normal part of life . It can help achieve some of your goals, or it can also take control of your life. Take time to walk. It helps.
Stress for me comes when I have to meet all the deadlines as a program director. I am stress when it is time to get the grades together and when it is time to end the quarter.
The most stressful area in my teaching is to know how to deliver the information to my students, since they are different learning styles, and preparing the lesson plans to meet the standards of the school. Also dealing with different levels in class so I help the weak students while I should prepare some extra activities to the advanced students.
Time, exercising, catering to my husbands needs, playing with the kids, helping with their homework, cooking, laundry, grading papers, preparing for class, lack of sleep, and eating way too much sugar. These include but are not limited to my life requirements.
I have completed all of my doctoral tasks save finishing my dissertation. I have taken extra courses to the point of successfully having at least 18 grad creds in 5 areas. I enjoyed achieving the above. Now, I realize that I really want to do a few other things, yet, alas, must earn my doctorate first. I still want to do law school and earn at least 18 grad creds in History, Sociology, Political Science [only need 9 credits here], H R, and Conflict Res. Yes, I love school. I share these with my students. I tell them you need to always have a PLAN A-B-C and then M-N-O to your X-Y-Z because you want to stay alert and abreast of various goings-on so you are uniquely qualified to do various things. This keeps your personal and professional life FRESH and VIBRANT so you will have less negative stress and maintain a real zest for living!!! I should finish my dissertation next year. I have 8mos-1yr goals as well as 2-4yr and 5-10yr and 15-year goals. I will be 55 on this JUL 28 and I have shown my students my 15 year plan with steps and objectives to reach each part. I have large windows to give ample time to reach my S.M.A.R.T goals and teach the same to my students. I share me to show them that you can do what ever you want if you just properly plan and execute. I preach staying focused and 6mos-yearly re- visiting your plan and checking off successes so you can see how accomplished you are to ward off negative stress. This is the way to plan for time off and enjoy your journey. BAD Stress comes from poorly planning and not being prepared for an un- certain future. . . . at least try to get ready!! This is my 'take' on causes of stress and not succeeding!!!
My stress comes from being an adjunct. While I do get all the classes I need each quarter, its a little un-nerving to know that at any time I may not be given enough classes as this is my only job a the moment. I also am living and caring for my elderly parents. While they are wonderful, it is still a stressor.
All of life is stress but, of course, the trick is management.
By identifying my most bothersome stressors, I feel I will be much more able to teach effectively.
My stressors this past term have been demands of my full time job-nursing(Organizational)
students in my evening class who come unprepared and would rather debate their position than continue with class objectives.(student needs)
traffic and 45 minute commute from one job to the next.(logistical)
continuing education classes for each job(requirements)
I am the only instructor for my program and managing difficult students adds to my stress.
One of my main areas of stress comes from the faculty to student ratio. I am dedicated to student learning, but do not always get the support needed to appropriately supervise students when they are learning a new skill. I end up spending more time outside of class/lab time to help students receive more supervision, but this impacts my time allotted for grading, preparation for class,etc.
The ability to effectively plan meaningful lessons and then grade assessments usually cause me the most stress. There does not seem to be enough time in the day. Having two small children adds to that stress. Managing both of these areas is impossible for me without building in organizational plans for getting my work accomplished.
April, That's unfortunate to hear, but a common challenge amongst people in our profession. Often times, ME time is the first thing to go. We have to prioritize ourselves every now and then though to keep our energy and spirits up.
Dr. Melissa Read
With work I have to review students reading so I know exactly the information provided to them. I also have to review my lecture information and sometimes do more research to bring more information to the classroom to do lectures.
Causes of stress in my life start with work. There are deadlines, some there just isn't enough time to do at work so you are taking work home with you which leave less time for family. With less time for family and me time the stress of the family needs become greater. The more stressed I become the more I need ME time but of course between work and family the ME time has to go to the back burner.
Some stressor are more personal for me. At times you get a few students that want to push you there.
family needs,
dedication to your job
punctual
time management
school
I drive 45 minutes to get to work everyday, its a long drive so I use the time to reflect and plan my day out. It gives me time to get my head together after rushing my kids out the door.
My stressors are professional and personal. One major one is that I recently went through a major shift in my career and a relocation. I used to teach for 4 year universities and community colleges, and this is the first time I'm working for career schools. The environment is very different and the standards are very different. What used to be 'not asking much' of my students is suddenly extremely difficult, and I seem to be the harshest grader in the school! I have high standards for my students, but I don't think they're unreasonable - I know they can do it, but they don't have the confidence that university students seem to have. I have had to do a lot of reworking my syllabus and managing in class time differently to adapt to the different environment. I think accepting the change for what it is and being willing and able to adapt to that change is the best way I can deal with the accompanying stress.
Dr Read and Fellow Faculty Members,
The major stress in my life is adhering to administrative policies. At one school that I teach at, the administrative procedures and documenting every interaction with students causes a lot of stress. This definitely carries over into my personal life. I am always thinking did I document this conversation with a student or what are the polices, such as can I communicate this to a student or use this resource without prior permission? This university has recently hired a new chair and I do see changes in the administrative documentation requirements.
I have found that there will be always be stress in my life. It is the way that we handle it. I choose to do action oriented tasks to alleviate stress.
Susanne Marshall
Verdell, I like your thinking. It's important to try to put things into perspective. Taking things too seriously can make everything feel so much more stressful than they need to be.
Dr. Melissa Read
Mike, That's a tough challenge. It's hard to provide one-on-one and focused attention in these situations. Grading can also be tough when you choose testing formats that go beyond multiple choice.
Dr. Melissa Read