Re: remedies for weariness

[Latisha LaRue <kfischer@keller.clarke.edu>]

Lisa,
	First off, whew, you are covering a lot of territory.  What you 
describe below sounds like me the times I would adjectivize myself as 
"burned out."  It's a very rough spot to be in for someone who normally 
rises to the day with energy and enthusiasm -- as I suspect you do.  And 
I sure won't pretend to have cures beyond letting time take its course.  
But maybe . . .  the following could help?
	I may not be hearing your voice accurately, but it sounds as if 
the 4 hours tutoring/day are a real burden for you and understandably 
so.  Can you reduce your workload in this area?  At least for a few weeks?
	I don't know about the "get in shape" thing but about two years 
ago we half kiddingly wrote here about the link between physical exercise 
and 
writing.  I know my energy and spirits run lowest days I don't run in the 
morning.  But then maybe you already have this part taken care of.
	There are times I call "off" for myself.  I have to find the 
right time -- anywhere near midterm, for example, is not the right time.  
But I'll block out an afternoon, a full day, or whatever -- and do 
something less related to the stress and schedules of the job.  Maybe 
I'll catch up on professional reading or linger at home an extra hour 
with cappucino or clean the commodes in our house:)  But I don't know if 
these are things that would work for you, Lisa.
	It sounds,, too, as though your workload has doubled since you 
arrived -- gee, too bad you aren't lousier at doing your job!  Is there a 
possibility of getting this position expanded?  Our position used to be 
50% until we began seeing so many students and offering so many more 
services that the prez saw fit to make it a full time position.  Maybe 
plain and simple there is just too much to do for one person?
	I don't think what you are feeling happens only in the position 
you describe, either.  I don't think it only happens in the halls of 
academe.  And despite all the diagnoses of what IT is, I imagine your 
experience is unique, too.  Can you ride this for awhile?  Be easy on 
yourself that you are not loving it?  Make small markers to get through 
each day and week?  I think the work you are doing is tremendously 
important and that obviously you care a great deal about it;  that level 
of activity is going to take its toll on you.  But if you can give it 
time, maybe the good ol' feelings and energy will return.  I often think 
sabbaticals are granted in university life more to alleviate what you 
describe, Lisa, than for the sake of study.  Unfortunately, many places 
do not grant those to w.c. directors.
	I really hear you, Lisa.  I think everyone of us who reads your 
note will likely be able to relate to what you are feeling.  Keep 
writing.  Can you write about this?  Journal about it?  Write home about it?
				Katie Fischer

On Wed, 7 Feb 1996, Lisa Emerson wrote:

>         
> 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
> 
>