Our college has just finished Academic Year 2017/18. It has been such a challenging year for everyone. As a teacher, the challenges range from preparing lessons to assessing students, from completing a host of paperwork to attending this and that meeting or training, from organising an event to supporting a colleague or student. The list is endless!
All throughout the year, a teacher's constant companion is assessing students. My desk had a pile of assignments for marking. At first, I put them all in a box and left them under my desk. It removed (or hid?) the clutter from my desk, but by the time the pile got bigger, it almost became unmanageable. Having a massive pile, I was forced to bring them home and spend the early hours of the day (including weekends) checking papers.
Would I have avoided such stress? Absolutely! Part of me fell into the trap of the Mañana Habit. "I'll do it later." "Mamaya na." As I procrastinated, I ended up knackered in the process. As I delayed my actions, I have to devote some time to deal with it rather than spend quality time with my family.
Looking back through this experience, I have learned that the best way forward is to act on a task while I can. Whatever work we do, no matter how many tasks we have to do here, there, and everywhere, I came up with these suggestions:
1. Work on it as soon as you receive it, if possible. Avoid creating a pile. Start working on a few. Set realistic targets like "I will mark 5 assignments by the end of the day".
2. Make a 'to do list' everyday. I personally find this helpful; I could track my progress as the day goes on. At the end of the day, I was pleased to have achieved all or most of them.
3. Have a 'can do' attitude. Instead of complaining, "Just do it".
4. Ask support from colleagues. Don't underestimate the power of team work.
5. Most importantly, pray. God is with us all, so why not involve Him in the many things we are supposed to do? Ask His help at the start of the day and, believe me, you would feel more comfortable because He will guide you through and through.
Proactively dealing with tasks on hand will save you some time for other worthwhile activities, including "me time". As a famous song goes "It's now or never".
1. Work on it as soon as you receive it, if possible. Avoid creating a pile. Start working on a few. Set realistic targets like "I will mark 5 assignments by the end of the day".
2. Make a 'to do list' everyday. I personally find this helpful; I could track my progress as the day goes on. At the end of the day, I was pleased to have achieved all or most of them.
3. Have a 'can do' attitude. Instead of complaining, "Just do it".
4. Ask support from colleagues. Don't underestimate the power of team work.
5. Most importantly, pray. God is with us all, so why not involve Him in the many things we are supposed to do? Ask His help at the start of the day and, believe me, you would feel more comfortable because He will guide you through and through.
Proactively dealing with tasks on hand will save you some time for other worthwhile activities, including "me time". As a famous song goes "It's now or never".
