Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

This is a great list David! Thanks for sharing. It looks like some of the items on your list can be reduced or eliminated. Conforming to a new curriculum is one example. A second example is picking up the kids from school. Establishing a carpool could help.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Wow, sounds like you are spending a long time in the car Enid! Yes, this stressor would likely best be eliminated. Alternatively, perhaps you could find a way to group your classes together so you're only teaching a few days a week. Less face to face days would mean significantly less driving!

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Excellent to hear Herschel. It's amazing how much time scantrons can save. Highlighting works great too. Keep it up!

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Excellent to hear Jennifer. If you've got a system that is working well for you, keep it. People who are priority driven and focused often don't need to change too much when it comes to time management.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Sounds like your time is limited Betty but that you have found some workarounds. Traffic is a perfect example. It's amazing how leaving a few minutes earlier or later than planned can make such a dramatic difference on how fast we get there. There are a lot of things in life like this. Small tweaks can make a big difference.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Sounds like a great plan Betty! Multiple choice is great when we need to grade quickly. It does have the added benefit of getting students quick feedback too.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Sounds like a tough situation Christina! Once we've experienced the benefits of great coping mechanisms, it's always a little sad when we have to give them up. Sounds like your schedule has opened up a little bit. You might use this time to gradually ease your way into your old routine again. Don't be afraid to start small.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Sounds like a great plan Christine! Note you're not alone in completing quick tasks early. A lot of instructors do the same thing. On one hand, it's a great confidence builder to see some items get knocked off your list. On the other, it's important to get to the higher priority and urgent tasks too. Balance is the key.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Wow, sounds like you are experiencing a range of stressors Becky - both personal and professional. Going back to school can be particularly hard. It's easy to forget that the effort you put in there - as well as stress experienced - is temporary. As you graduate, your stress level may get better. For now, the investment is probably tough.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

That sounds wonderful Anita! It's great when our administrations come together and adopt grading tools that save time for all faculty members. This brings up an important point. If you've discovered a grading system that has made you more efficient, sometimes it makes sense to share it with your administration so that it might be considered for global adoption.