Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Heather, That sounds like quite the hectic schedule. Good news is the school portion of your stress is temporary. Sometimes in life we are faced with periods of temporary high stress that eventually subside. Part of coping is reminding ourselves that our situations will eventually get better in time. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Khalid, It sounds like you have established a healthy process that you can rely on in difficult times. That's wonderful to hear. Yes, sometimes it's nice to knock off a few tasks that can be completed quickly to build your confidence for the more difficult tasks to come. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Lydia, Traffic is a great stressor for many instructors. It's fantastic to hear that you have flexibility in your schedule and were able to make a positive change. Sometimes shifting things just slightly is all it takes to dramatically change your day. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Tim, Sharing is a wonderful outlet, especially when we share with people who are in similar situations. Note that oversharing is possible, so do be careful not to burden your friends and colleagues with too much information. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Victor, It's important to put out any fires so I understand your approach. Fires are the priority. After those burning issues are taken care of, you can then move to a more organized approach. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Marybeth, That sounds like a wonderful investment. Yes, 24 hour gyms can be perfect for people with busy schedules. Sometimes we need to find outlets that can be as flexible as we need to be. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Ali, It sounds like you have a healthy strategy for dealing with stress that cannot be eliminated. That's wonderful to hear. Yes, all of the outlets you named are fantastic when it comes to coping. You might also enjoy talking with friends and sharing challenges. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Edric, Sounds like multiple choice are the more effective option for you when it comes to both testing knowledge and grading efficiently. That's wonderful to hear. Essays are great when trying to test critical thinking skills or written communication. They are not always necessary. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Daniel, Those two items certainly go hand and hand as we often have to drink less coffee to get more sleep. Note that cutting down on caffeine consumption is a great step, but it can take a few weeks to notice the positive effects. Dr. Melissa Read

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

John, So true! Assessing level of urgency can be really tough, especially when everyone thinks their task is the highest priority. Not every task is in fact red hot, though sometimes you might be the only one who sees it that way! Dr. Melissa Read