I thought I am the only one thinking that this semester is faster, more loaded, and more stressful than usual. No matter with who I talk everyone has the same complaint. Too much, too stressful, can't keep up with all....I know there are 20 days since I did not give you any news... School is loaded, I work with a team of other three faculty on a project on Student stressors and reactions to those stressors. I continue my little research with elementary kids, teach three graduate courses, and take my C++ as serious as I can!
Oh, by the way last week I had exam in the main lecture and tomorrow in the lab (will measure how much I learned the C++).
I sleep less and less; 4-5 hours/night maximum. I did not have real weekends, all my weekends are work and effort to catch up and keep going. I feel tired, and stressed ( no wonder I study stressors and reactions to them).
I try to set realistic goals, and keep good track of my time management... it seems to not be enough. Might be I have too much on my plate?
I open my e-mail to respond just the urgent e-mails and after two hours I find myself stuck in front of the monitor giving directions to my graduate students on how to start their final projects, and how to conduct a lit review, and how to find articles via the Library web. Just because they seem to not be able to follow the many handouts and directions step-by-step to do their assignments. I feel like a Customer Service rep... Then I get upset on this. Teaching should not be mainly about teaching students how to use the library search, they are graduate students, they should know by now how to do a literature review.... Anyhow. My time is going by, many hours I could spend on my research, doing my readings, writing articles and publishing them.
In two weeks I have to keep a workshop for students in the dorms about Time management, learning styles, and test taking skills. I will teach them how to set goals, how to select the Important ones from the Urgent ones, and how to allocate the time in their calendar for these goals.
DO THE IMPORTANT BEFORE THE URGENT!
Think you have to live one more year: What would be those goals you would not want to miss?
Think where you want to be in five years from now? What would be very important to do NOW that would help you to get there?
Indecision. Procrastination. Inefficiency. Interruptions that are not important and unexpected. Unrealistic time estimates. Errors. Crisis management. Poor organization. Ineffective meetings. Lack of priorities.
+ being sucked in to the tube! (be it computer or TV)
... hmmm.... in theory I am pretty good, the practice is killing me :-)
