This time of year is all about relief.
Term is over. Phew!
Yes, there is a pile of grading to do, maybe not there yet because the students still haven’t written their exams. But still. Phew!
End of term rituals
Back in the day, I used to tidy my desk at this time of year.
You know, try to find out what the heck the actual structure under all that paper is made out of :-)
I need to have stuff out in front of me to remind me to do it, so my desk can get pretty messy. I don’t even do piles. More like geomorphological layers.
And an end of term tidy was a great ritual to lead into the holidays.
What kind of end of term rituals do you have?
Actually taking a holiday
You are going to do that, right?
You’re going to take a few days (at least) where you don’t even think about all the writing you want to do, or the classes you will be teaching next term, or that pile of grading?
Seriously. It is a good idea.
Academic work is largely creative.
Teaching is creative.
Research is creative.
Writing is creative.
(Grading and attending meetings are not creative they are the necessary maintenance activities.)
Creative work benefits from rest
Honestly.
Sometimes you need to just walk away and return refreshed.
Maybe spending a few days with family, playing with your nephews and nieces will do it. (Really focus on that lego!)
Maybe you want to take a couple of days to go skiing or snow-shoeing. (I’m Canadian. That’s what many of us do in winter.)
Or go for a long country walk. (I’ve lived in the UK. Get those walking boots on and go.)
If you are averse to fresh air, maybe get a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of something interesting and spend hours putting it together.
Knit a sweater. Spin.
Invite friends around to play board games or cards.
But take a holiday.
Then, if you need help figuring out how to juggle the teaching, research and compulsory-non-creative-stuff next term, get in touch and I’ll see what I can do for you.
