Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Cordelia, It's nice to get ahead, as long as this method isn't stressing you out. Some instructors struggle with immediacy - trying to get everything done right away. If you find you need to push back and wait to complete a task every now and then, it's ok to do so. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Emily, Wow, sounds like a very well thought out system! Thanks for sharing. It's wonderful when fellow instructors can share the materials they've put together when we teach similar courses. I highly recommend reaching out to fellow instructors in your faculty to learn more about what they have to offer you. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Traci, Glad to hear this module helped you. It's really important to take a step back every now and then and discover all of the things that stress us out. Sometimes things bother us but we are not really aware of their impact. It's good to identify those things, and do something about them too. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Anthony, Sometimes we need to compensate with additional exercise when we don't get enough physical activity. If you are in the classroom too much, get out there and take an exercise break every now and then. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Patricia, This is quite a common cause of stress, especially for instructors. Sometimes it really does feel like there's not enough time in the day. Ultimately, when we have too much on our plates, we've got to give some tasks back and delegate others. If nothing more, we've got to set expectations that everything is not going to get done at once. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Frances, Running in place is a new one! I'd love to learn more about how that works! Yes, deep breaths and stretching can really help. I know of some instructors who guide their students through these exercises during exams. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Lisa, Thanks for sharing. This is a challenge that many instructors face. One thing you can do is break down complex tasks into a few smaller sub tasks. This way, you can attack specific tasks each day and cross them off. Ultimately, you are progressing toward your bigger goal. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Felicia, Sometimes we've got to take a step back and put our total task landscape into perspective. Some instructors approach all tasks with a sense of urgency but the reality is, we need to prioritize. Some tasks are not as important as others. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Anthony, Sounds like you are investing a lot in your professional development and in making yourself more efficient. That's the right approach for sure. When we invest in ourselves, we are in a much better position to help others. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

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