The causes of my stress:
45 min commute to very early start times (0700)
college requirements/logistical
Often much driving beypond that to see students in a 200 mile radius at clinical site
college requirements
students are becoming more time stressed in their personal lives and are not completing assignments on time. Students must submit all assignments to graduae so time reqired for grading is difficult to predict.
student needs/ college requirements
In my understanding if we try to keep distance in our personal and professional life and also be transparent about stresses,works best for me.
Neelam, There's a balance to strike for sure. On one hand, we don't want to get too personal at work...and we don't want to bring too much home and into our personal lives. On the other hand, we've got to be honest with the people around us about what we're dealing with. Sometimes, it's the only way they can help.
Dr. Melissa Read
One of my stressors is the result of frustration and disappointment from other instructors who state that they will assist you, then don't.
Like with all people, I do incur stress...and those stressors come from many different parts of my life.
They include the needs of my wife, children extended family and friends as well as my deadlines and other stress stimuli at work. The stresses come from trhe full gamut...logistics, student needs, and the requirements of the university.
Because I teach for the U.S. federal government, specifically the Department of Defense and other agencies involved in counter-terrorism regarding law and other evolving substantive matters, I am always "under the gun" to keep my materials current.
Stress can be caused by so many different factors. I find that most of my stress comes from everyday tasks and making sure they are complete. I try to stay basically stress free and usually do a good job of it. There are times when home life and financial problems can be stressful, but I have to realize that what is done is done and I can only move forward and stress won't help me move forward.
Work Stressors:
- Implementation of a new standardized curriculim within a short time frame.
- Teaching out old curriculum while phasing in new.
- Impact of new curriculum on enrollment
- Required shift change from classes beginning at 2 P.M. to new arrival time of 4 A.M.
- Recent corporate realignment of faculty and staff.
Work:
Trying to meet all the need of the students equally. Which would obviously fall under the category of student needs.
Home:
Raising 3 teenagers
Beverly, It's hard when we rely on others who are not reliable at all. This drives the need for backup plans...and backup backup plans. I try learn who I can count on and leverage their talents repeatedly.
Dr. Melissa Read
Robert, Sounds like you teach a very stressful subject. Some educational topics are great outlets for stress. Massage therapy is one example. Others however are tough, and yours sounds like one of them. I hope you have some good outlets outside of work that you can rely on.
Dr. Melissa Read
My two biggest stresses are traffic and getting lectures done on time for new classes that I am teaching. As long as I stayed organized, that helps with the lectures. I leave early to help with traffic so I have time at school to make sure everything is prepared for class. I also have time before class starts to answer any questions the students may have.
Student needs and college requirements are at the top of the list. Seems if you gets the students where they need to be the college needs change from what they were in the past. If the college is ok the students are the key issue. If that wasen't bad enough throw trying to get a small business off the ground on top of that.
Life:
*Family stress- taking care of aging parents and grandparents
*Juggling 2 jobs and finding personal time
*Moving
*Dealing with the impending Chicago winter
Career:
*The weight of preparing adults for the real world
*Dealing with students who come from an inner city background and come in with their own baggage
*Complying with school policies while still maintaining your own personal values and teaching styles/methods
Stress can be caused by many situations , and individuals in the workforce
Lack or communication and organization prove to be the source of stress for me at work. These stressors are based on logistical factors rather than personal. However, the frustration and stress that originates in my work life does begin to interfere with my personal life.
Patricia, Good point! Stress can come from all directions and from so many different sources. Good stress management is often about identifying those potential sources early and often and keeping them at bay.
Dr. Melissa Read
Multiple jobs and busy family life is stressful. Work related stress like constant increase in job responsibilities, schedule changes. etc...
it is stressful having older students or students of the same age and having to constently remind them of what to do in scool.
Some Major Stresses in your life/career:
Mostly logistical/some related to student needs:
-online format (sometimes not easy to communicate)
-often informed of meetings without much time to plan
-short turn-around time for grading
-students are sometimes not prepared for online school and don't always follow course procedures
-students turning in work late/often have to hear endless excuses for late work.
-Students expecting me to grade work, even if it is weeks late.
-in some online schools, your performance is based on how students rate you, but they can give you poor ratings if they get a bad grade (which was their own responsibility).
Janice, Thanks for your detailed list! Sounds like you are having a big problem with student expectations and motivation. It might be helpful to very clearly define your expectations of your students at the beginning of each semester - both verbally and in text. It might also be helpful to re-articulate your expectations over time to remind students who may have forgotten.
Dr. Melissa Read
