The start of this semester was a little easier than last semester for me. We have our students for the whole school year and I find that to be a plus for teachers. Teachers and students already know one another and that makes for a smoother beginning. The students already know what I expect and I already know the learning styles and personalities of my students so, so far, everything has been fine.
One thing I have tried really hard to do this semester is to NOT get myself all in a dither about things. I have finally realized that I need to just take things one day at a time. I tend to be a worrier (OK, I am a REAL worrier!) so I am trying very hard to not worry about things so much. I am trying to pace myself so that I don't get to the point of complete exhaustion that I felt at the end of last semester. One major thing wrong that I did last semester was not getting enough sleep during the week. By the time Friday evening got here I was completely wiped out. Took all weekend to recover and then the cycle began again come Monday. So I am making a very concerted effort to get more sleep every night so I can think clearly and help my old brain cells work as efficiently as possible. And hopefully help my immune system stay strong too. I still can't seem to manage to get in a full 8 hrs but I am counting it as a plus for a full 6 hrs. Anything over 6 hrs is a bonus. My students have told me several times how nice I am. I must have been a real grump last semester! So I'm hoping that pacing myself better, worrying less, and getting more sleep will help me through this semester.
In addition to NTI, Tracy, Esther, and I are also taking the Exceptional Students class on Wednesday evenings. When I look at the calendar with all the due dates for both classes I start to slip and get bogged down in the worrying/panic mode. Then I stop and take a deep breath and just take things one at a time. I remember what Dr Burns told us way back in the summer about when she was working on her doctorate. She said she was completely overwhelmed and was thinking that she just couldn't do it. Then her husband helped her to break all the work down into smaller tasks and she then had a more workable, manageable plan. And she did it! So I am trying to do that same thing.
I can't separate my own students and teaching from being a student myself and learning. I have a separate calendar at school about all the due dates for things there. And I have to blend the two calendars (NTI/Exceptional Students and school) to be sure I am on target with everything. And somewhere in all that I have my personal life calendar.
So, to get back to our original question. I am calmer, more relaxed with my students. This semester has started out smoother than last semester. I have made what I think are some positive changes for myself to keep my strength and stamina up. And I am trying very hard to not get overwhelmed and just take things one day at a time, one step at a time. I've made it through the first two weeks. We'll see how I do for the rest of the semester!
I enjoyed reading your comment. I had to call my husband into the study to read it to him so he now feels like he's a part of our blog. (ha ha) I had a psychology professor who taught us to say "good enough." Then we would add, "mother" or "wife" or "husband" or "teacher." So, it became "good enough teacher." She pointed out that we are tougher on ourselves than others and we have to be honest with our capabilities and decide at some point that we are "good enough." I think about that quite often when I start to think I have to keep doing more, and more and more.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Ms. Connie, I have observed you in class and in your class and you are more than "good enough." Dr. J.
You are wonderful Connie!!! You have a lot on your plate and you have managed it. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteConnie I have always been touch by your writings. I like how you use different calenders for different things. Connie you can make it, I do admire you trying to get more sleep this semester, but remember that the brain need to be fed. (the next time we meet I will tell you what to do to help build your energy)A friend of mine who is a brain surgeon told me he as yet to see a brain that is worn out no matter how old it is the cells are still in tack.
ReplyDeleteConnie, I have always enjoyed reading your blogs! I'm glad to hear that things are getting off to a better start this semester. I totally understand the whole "no sleep" thing! I'm doing good to get 4-6 hours a night. I admire you for being able to do NTI, Exceptional Child, teach, be a wife, mother, and all the other things that you are. It's a challenge but you appear to be handling it well! Thanks for being an inspiriation to me!
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