the encouragement lounge: What's next.... maybe a conversation.

Monday, June 15, 2009

What's next.... maybe a conversation.

On Friday, I asked "what's next?" Encouraging us all to think about changes we might pursue in terms of career, school, teaching, and so on.

After I posted, I was thinking that for some people, "what's next?" is an exciting question. But for others it is a stressful or scary question. For those who find this question difficult, I encourage you to talk with someone about it. Seek out a good friend, a trusted mentor, a favorite teacher... someone with whom you feel comfortable. You can start by acknowledging that the question is there for you and that you DON'T know the answer, that you feel like it is time for a change, but you don't know where you are headed. Talking with someone else is likely to help you think more deeply and generate new possibilities. A safe discussion place is a terrific space in which you can play with ideas, with little risk, and without commitment.

So there it is... if you don't know where to start, start with a conversation.

Cheers,

Harriet

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Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.