Man i feel for you. I dont think i have seen you like this for years. keep hashing that stuff out. we can talk too if you want. even though you have the responsiblities there, be true to yourself. Molly and i would like to come see you in the next week or so. i will give you more details in an email.
Sucks, man. You said that you really enjoyed yourself at the last UB's you'd been involved in. Do you remember feeling burned out during those times as well only to leave and forget the rough moments after it was all over? Or do you feel like you just participated one year too many this time and it's not likely to give you that same sense of accomplishment that you got in previous years? Sometimes a little distance is all you need to recover your positive outlook and other times that pesky Law of Diminishing Returns kicks in. Either way, Buck up, little trooper. You can do this.
If I had to guess what was significantly different this year, I would have two shots at it. The first has to do with the way the program is run. It is possible I just never noticed what was going on in with the higher ups, but I think this year is worse than the others I've worked.
The other guess I have is a lot more personal and painful. Now the second guess wouldn't cover any of the feelings I had during orientation so I'm not sure if that's it or not. Due to legal reasons I don't feel I can publicly disclose what I'm thinking about, but it isn't anything bad I've done or that has been done to me. I just feel that I dropped the ball with one of our students last Summer and things have gotten worse instead of better for him.
Anyway I've only got 4 days or so until the students leave for the 4th of July break. I will enjoy some time to kick back and relax.
Re: Bureaucracylthrgirl03June 27 2005, 23:04:20 UTC
I feel like I know what you are talking about here. I feel the same way with my students too. But I tell myself this - you can't be responsible for everything that goes on in your student's life. Instead you think of the good that you did give them, instead of all the what if's and should haves.
For example: I could have kept that student from getting alcohol poisoining. But you know what I can't control all of that. Instead I remind myself - that I was there for that student when they needed and wanted to talk and I am able to get them to someone who can help them more. But if they don't talk, then it's out of my possibility to know - so I can shoulder that responsibility.
Take it easy on yourself - no one (not even your students) expects you to be superman.
Comments 5
I dont think i have seen you like this for years.
keep hashing that stuff out. we can talk too if you want.
even though you have the responsiblities there, be true to yourself.
Molly and i would like to come see you in the next week or so. i will give you more details in an email.
Reply
Reply
Sucks, man. You said that you really enjoyed yourself at the last UB's you'd been involved in. Do you remember feeling burned out during those times as well only to leave and forget the rough moments after it was all over? Or do you feel like you just participated one year too many this time and it's not likely to give you that same sense of accomplishment that you got in previous years? Sometimes a little distance is all you need to recover your positive outlook and other times that pesky Law of Diminishing Returns kicks in. Either way, Buck up, little trooper. You can do this.
Reply
The other guess I have is a lot more personal and painful. Now the second guess wouldn't cover any of the feelings I had during orientation so I'm not sure if that's it or not. Due to legal reasons I don't feel I can publicly disclose what I'm thinking about, but it isn't anything bad I've done or that has been done to me. I just feel that I dropped the ball with one of our students last Summer and things have gotten worse instead of better for him.
Anyway I've only got 4 days or so until the students leave for the 4th of July break. I will enjoy some time to kick back and relax.
Reply
For example:
I could have kept that student from getting alcohol poisoining. But you know what I can't control all of that. Instead I remind myself - that I was there for that student when they needed and wanted to talk and I am able to get them to someone who can help them more. But if they don't talk, then it's out of my possibility to know - so I can shoulder that responsibility.
Take it easy on yourself - no one (not even your students) expects you to be superman.
Hang in there Tim
Reply
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