Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

That’s an interesting challenge Carlton. Changing between subject matters or any kind of task can be time consuming. Building buffers into your schedule to account for these transitions can be key.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Coping with Stress

Yes, stress reduction techniques often have many other benefits to be enjoyed. One of the biggest benefits is the impact your lower stress outlook has on others – and their reaction to this outlook.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Great thoughts David. A little stress is normal and can even help motivate us to achieve good things. While we often can’t (and shouldn’t) lower expectations of others, we can find was of properly setting expectations. Just letting people know what’s on your plate and what your situation is like is a great start in helping them respect your time.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Indeed. And there are other benefits to this as well. An outline of expected results can also help instructors offer more fair grading system for their students.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Causes of Stress

Great points Steven. Low job satisfaction is often linked to job stress. And rules and procedures can definitely diminish satisfaction. Maybe it’s time to try to remember what it was that made you so excited about coming to work – earlier in your career. And if you can remember, maybe it’s time to try to bring some of those things back – even if for just a little while every day.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Great point Janet! Breaks and downtime should definitely be on the list. I like to list items like ‘schedule vacation.’ I consider it to be a high priority task =)

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Thanks for sharing Mary! Many instructors have problems with over projecting what they can accomplish. It would be easier to accomplish more if we weren't faced with things like continued interruptions from students and administrators as well as frequent task switching. It's interesting because we usually don't write these types of things down on our To Do lists. Nonetheless, we spend a good percent of time on them. I recommend listing things like interruptions from students / administrators and task switching on your To Do list. In your daily plans, include these tasks each day. This method will help you… >>>

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Streamlining the Grading Process

Thanks for sharing Mary! It sounds like you've got many great methods for streamlining the grading process to share.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Mary, It sounds like you might benefit from combining your several small lists into a centralized master list. Then you could have a better snapshot of what needs to be accomplished. It's actually easier to accomplish priority tasks when we can see them listed all together, in one centralized area.

Dr. Melissa Read

Discussion Comment

Task Prioritization

Interesting points David! No matter how well we plan things out, there are always new tasks that come in â€“ some of which are highest priority and need to be taken care of right away. When I'm budgeting my time, I always buffer in 5%-10% extra for all those monkey wrenches.