Overwhelmed? Help dealing with the start of the semester.

I just finished my first week of teaching in the new semester and I could see in various classes that many students feel overwhelmed with the work that awaits. If you are one of those students, here are some strategies to deal with this feeling:

1. Take a deep breath and slow down. Feeling overwhelmed can make us feel frantic and that feeds the anxiety. It's a vicious circle. So, slow down, and pause for a moment.

2. Think of another time when you have felt overwhelmed or anxious about keeping up with work -- chances are you got through it. Remember that success -- the memory will remind you that you can do it.

3. Get organized. Note all of your due dates on a calendar. This will help you distinguish what you need to do right away, what you need to plan for (selecting a topic for a paper, ordering an additional book, etc.), and what you really don't need to think about yet.

4. Now focus on the next week. What is due next week? Focus on the short term and try to put your anxieties about end-of-semester projects and papers on hold. Take it one step at a time, do what needs to be done each week.

You can do this, my friends!

Harriet

Photo by HLS

Don't Know? Confused? Ask!

A funny thing happens when we go back to school as adults. We expect ourselves to know how to do everything. By that I mean... in every day life, we are accustomed to feeling on top of things, so when we go back to school, we expect the same to be true, that we'll know how to manage all of the technology and administrative processes.

However, for many adult students, school presents new organizational and process challenges. If you are enrolling in college for the first time, you may be unclear as to what offices provide what services. Or if you are going back for a graduate degree, but have been out of school for awhile, you may find that the processes have changed.

So, if you are having any problems or challenges with any aspect of starting your school year -- whether it is registering for classes, changing your schedule, buying books, finding rooms, accessing online tools that your professors are using.... whatever the challenges might be... ask for help. Ask your advisor, or program administrative assistant, or a friendly faculty member, or even another student.

As adults accustomed to feeling on top of these things, we can be self-conscious about asking for help. However, the school year moves quickly and you don't want to lose any time. So, keep in mind that most new students have questions, and reach out for help!

Cheering you on in your work.

Harriet

Photo by HLS

Back to school!

Good news! School starts this week -- at least it does for those of us at Carlow.

I'm thrilled to be back. I have done a lot of writing and editing over the summer, but I am totally looking forward to getting back in the classroom.

So, whether you are about to begin a new program or are heading back to class after a short or long break -- or even are simply continuing school from the summer... I'm here to wish you all the best -- great classes, wonderful school colleagues and teachers, and many many great moments of learning!

More soon,

Harriet

Back in August!

Hi All, I'm going to step away from the ELounge until mid-August -- taking some time for some editing and coding that I need to do, and some photography for fun, and downtime before school starts. Back in mid-August if not before!

Cheering you on!

Harriet

What are your favorite (school-related) apps?

Hi All, later this summer I'll write a post listing the school/productivity apps that I find most helpful. I'm looking for suggestions to add to the list? What apps help you stay organized, get your work done, etc -- what tools help you with school?

Thanks

Harriet

Receiving and giving feedback

Here's some advice on how to take in, as well as give, feedback -- such important processes for grad students!

Feedback

have a good week!

Harriet

photo by HLS

Stress management -- one step at a time

I'm back after being away for almost two weeks -- a conference, a vacation, and time traveling to and from.... so today I face the task of sorting through two very full email inboxes as well as other items on my to-do list. This feeling reminds me of those days that any of us feel overwhelmed -- too many projects going, deadlines at work and school, plus family responsibilities, the list seems endless. Adult students are always juggling. My reminder -- to myself and to you for today -- is to take it one step at a time. Just get started, and chip away, each little thing you do, takes something off the to-do list. Keep at it!

Harriet

photo by hls