Back to School Blues…

Last semester I had a student who write an essay with the title “I Just Don’t Want To Sometimes.”

I am having a “I just don’t want to” attitude toward school. 

That’s bad because classes start this week. 

Back to school time can be stressful, not just for students–but for teachers as well. I am not super prepared for the fall semester. I’m not sure why there’s been no excitement or motivation, but I’m on a thin rope…

I taught three online courses this summer. While it was somewhat enjoyable, I don’t think the break between semesters was long enough. I mean, I was grading on vacation. It seemed as if I’d been grading year round at times.

I attended a back to school meeting and it was rough. There was no general excitement among fellow colleagues, no motivational tools to get all employees excited and looking forward to the school year—it was, well, sad.

I came home feeling a tad bit excited. I saw familiar faces, some smiles, but I couldn’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe some people at that meeting were feeling the way I feel. 

How do you combat back to school blues? How do you get excited to welcome college students to the classroom—on campus and online?

What do you do when your kids are starting school, both in different buildings–and you just want to cry because you can’t believe that you have a freshman and fourth grader? 

I don’t have answers to those questions. 

Should I watch a motivating TED Talk? Treat myself to some coffee and a chocolate bar? Maybe I’ll listen to some upbeat music to get going for the day. In all honesty, I’m going to stress snack at my desk, and worry. Because that’s what moms do sometimes, right?

If you aren’t thrilled about the idea of going back to school, if you are missing summer, your “freedom,” I’m with you.

I’m going to say a prayer, make some lemon balm tea, get myself going and make the best of it.

Real talk: it will be a struggle.

So, hang in there—find ways to get yourself motivated and ready to go. Cheer yourself up with some pampering–a cup of coffee, a fountain soda, a little motivational speech to yourself in the mirror–’cause you got this.

I love my jobs—I do. I’m just not quite ready for school to start—-but, everything will be okay.