End of Semester Insanity: Help for the Overwhelmed College Instructor

The end of the semester is upon instructors everywhere. The end of term finals, projects and other miscellaneous work is starting to pile up. Things you know you covered time and time again are now huge issues. Life can be very crazy over these past few weeks, but there are a few things you can do to keep your head above water.

First, take everything one step at a time. Do not freak out about the pile of projects you need to grade this weekend or final exams you need to work on. Take each issue as it comes. Yes you do need to plan ahead, but freaking out over it now isn't going to make it any easier. Actually, it will make you feel worse now, and you will be even more stressed out when it comes time to actually do that task.

Second, set realistic goals. Thinking that you can grade all 250 papers in one sitting may be a little much. You are setting yourself up for failure. This is where planning ahead comes in. Figure out how much work is possible and healthy for you to do at any given time. If you parcel out your work load in to manageable pieces, it will not seem as overbearing. Plus actually completing your goal feels much better than not making the cut.

Third, stay firm on your policies and guidelines. Basically, you need to be the bad guy. Yes, life does happen, and some students will need more time and a little flexibility. However, most times the student just procrastinated. You gave them time in class to work on it, and they left. Now they need more time. It is in the course schedule, and you talk about it in ever class period, but somehow the student did not know the item was due. The more extensions you give and exceptions you make the harder you are making it for yourself. Give extensions and bend the rules only for those who really do need it and have documented proof of that need. Being too nice or a pushover will only get you in trouble. If you grant an extension, make strict guidelines (progress checks, due dates) and if the student does not meet those guidelines then the extension agreement should be null and void. Get all extension agreements in writing to protect yourself and your student.

The last weeks of the semester can be overwhelming, but you can survive! Take care of yourself, take care of your students, take it slow and everything will work out fine.