Too many jobs!
One major stress factor in my life is having too many jobs. While there are some full time positions available in career colleges, many of the instructors are adjunct. We work part time and have no benefits or job security. However, we are still responsible for providing an excellent education experience for students at our schools. Adjuncts rarely make enough money to work just one job, so most supplement their income by working at multiple schools. Working at 3 schools is hard to manage, with all the different policies, passwords, colleagues, etc.
This course is providing some excellent ideas for dealing with this so far (I am definitely going to organize my computer folders!). Does anyone have any suggestions we haven't seen here so far?
Too many jobs is a common problem today, especially for single adults trying to keep the ball balancing. I find organization my great savior. I have all my lessons organized and ready to go when I get to work. The stress comes in when the school starts changing the way we have to do things.I am hoping once we get all the changes in place, and in ready to go fomat, the stress level will be reduced!
I think my organizing your folders will really help you to a certain point. Sometimes what actually stresses us out is that we do not know when the classes are going to be given so sometimes you are on organized because your schedule is so full going to different schools.
Sandra, So true. I'm sorry to hear that you learned this the hard way. Stress can be so tough on the body. It's really important to get in front of stress before it takes such a terrible toll.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have a (extra) FT job that causes a lot of physical stress other than the extreme anxiety of the dozens of activities I have to be able to coordinate. I learnt how to organize myself so well that I am not stressed mentally, but I just found out I added another 7 herniated discs to my spine! Ways to cope...I am a living proof that it is mandatory to confront and resolve the causes of stress.
I find myself in the exact same situation! I am an adjunct at two (and soon, possibly three) colleges and the sheer bureaucracy of it all is enough to drive one crazy. Coordinating class schedules, the commute, and lessons plans for essentially the same classes can be very stressful.
I find that having an "ally," or another faculty member/administrator with whom you can talk more frankly, at work has really helped. Being able to be honest about my work situation has allowed administrators to tweak schedules and help me out where they can. Harmonious interactions between administration and faculty greatly lowers a lot of unnecessary stress.
