Causes of Stress
I really appreciated this particular section of the course because I feel that stress is something that has become an increasingly common thing in the workplace today. I found it useful to identify the different areas of stress and that once these are identified then certain situations can be avoided and as a result you will encounter less stress in your daily routine.
I think that ultimately if stress dominates your daily schedule, then it can be passed along to your class and then the learner will become the one that pays the price for your shortcomings.
This is a very common source of stress for instructors Robert. As instructors, we must balance the goals of our administrations with the goals we have for student success. These are not always one in the same.
I believe that retention goals are the major cause of stress. All everyone cares about is retention, and this may force an instructor(s) to pass students who shouldn't be passed, just to make sure retention goals are met. This misses the boat, for if graduates go out and are not capable of handling a job, it reflects badly on the school, and makes it harder to place new students with that same company.
Yes all this is true Shelly. The most helpful place to start is often telling your students that you understand what they're going through - that you know they are stressed. This often helps them open up to tips from their instructors and helps them feel more comfortable sharing too.
I think that most of my students, if not all are stressed. Like me, most are working full-time, going to school, have families, etc. What this course has opened my eyes to is the need to relay this to my students in a way that is helpful. Providing them with tips perhaps might be a place to start. While we all have stressors in our life I think what is most important is how we deal with them. I often think some of my students are maxed out as far as stress. Perhaps new students need to take a course like this when they first start so that they have an idea of how to manage stress as it comes (which it will).
Great question Pamela! Tips for these students are actually very similar for the tips you'd use for yourself as an instructor. These students are balancing similar kinds of responsibilities.
Do you have any stress reduction techniques to use for students? Most of mine in the night classes are older and have day jobs and families to deal with.
Jason,
I agree 100%. The more the stress dominates the less you focus on the students and you just try to manage and get through the stressful areas or time in your life.
We all encounter stress and when we bring up suggestions and/ or solutions and they are not considered it adds to our stress level as instructors.
Helping to find ways of remove or destress are very helpful and healthy. Some run, others read, some play sports. What ever your way, the more you can do the healthier and more balanced you will be. More productive at work and at home.
