remedies for weariness

[L.Emerson@massey.ac.nz (Lisa Emerson)]

One of the things that always strikes me about the people on this list is
the amount of energy we all have for our jobs. We work long hours, we work
intensively with students, and much of our work is very holistic, not just
to do with analysis but also to do with emotions and empathy and intuitive
understanding of our students and what their needs are. What I would like
some discussion on...light hearted or serious!...is what to do when you are
worn out?

I have been in my job for eight years; I run the WC here. When I arrived the
job was very simple; work one-on-one with students. Since I have been
developing and extending the Centre so we are running study and writing
workshops, teaching post grads, writing resources, providing staff support,
and I am running a WAC programme in one faculty. The one-on-one work has
remained constant; I spend four hours per day seeing students on a one on
one basis.

We are about to go into semester one ( remember, I come from the southern
hemisphere and we do things upside down!), and for the first time in this
job I am not looking forward to it. I don't want to face the endless hours
of reading, of responding constructively, thinking carefully, and caring,
caring. I know that unless I get on top of this I am not going to have the
right attitude to meet my students who will be arriving in droves next week.
I feel I need so much energy for the Writing Centre....and I just don't seem
to have it. This is amazing to me; it has never happened before!

I guess I would like to know.....have you all been through this? How do
you work through it? Should I be working on myself ( Get yourself in shape,
Lisa!), or should I be looking at the position? Is there a shelf life for a
position like this which takes so much?

All anecdotes, ancient Writing Centre remedies and plain advice gratefully
received. Just writing this is great: who else would know what I was talking
about?!

Lisa


Lisa Emerson
Writing Centre 
Massey University
Palmerston North
New Zealand

ph 06-3569099 x8104
fax 6-3502251
email L.Emerson@massey.ac.nz