Hi, HEO!
Welcome to another exciting semester of higher education! It is almost about that time for most colleges and universities in the country. The month of August is a national “back to school” month, so to speak. This year, I challenge you to be intentional about your personal development. I encourage you to consider journaling as a tool to enrich your experience in academia. When I say, “Make it a mindful semester,” I truly mean it. I have worked full-time in higher education as a non-tenure track lecturer for two decades and I understand the demands that higher ed faculty face no matter the rank or position. I have been exposed to it all and have colleagues on every “level.”
Today, I want to introduce you to an insightful way of heightening your self-awareness by committing to responding to the prompt, “What did you learn about yourself this week,” for 16 weeks in a row—spanning the length of a semester. Trust me, you will be amazed by the profound discoveries you will make when you commit to this process. In fact, as I did so this past semester, I realized how dissatisfied I was teaching under the administration of the school of education. Our program was moved from the human sciences department to the school of education (in word but not really in deed) way back in 2020 and the process and new “residency” was nothing less than agonizing. I also acknowledged the fact that the “quality” of the students in the program had diminished to a majority of which were not satisfying to teach.
Here is exactly what I wrote in green ink in my journal when I responded to this prompt during Week 16:
Because the quality of work is so poor by most students, I procrastinate when it comes to grading. Then, in the end, I am struggling to get grading done by the deadline. I want students to receive exactly what they have earned. I want their grades to match their efforts.
I really do not enjoy working here.
This has been the least fulfilling semester EVER! I hope to make it here just one more year–until Zoe graduates.
Interestingly, I had been longing to retire early and did not know why. It was because my heart was aching from the lack of support, vision, consideration, and leadership in this new department. The unprofessionalism and overall culture of the department as well as the lack of communication or completely disrespectful communication. Journaling outside of my personal journal into my work journal forced me to focus on what I was learning about myself in the work context every single week and I am grateful that God placed the idea in my heart and that I was obedient.
Well, that is enough about me.
Now, I am inviting you to watch the fourth writing session of the YouTube series that inspired this blog post. The video, embedded right here on this page, sets the foundation for our exploration of self-reflection through journaling.
Grab a sheet of paper, a cup of tea or coffee, find a cozy spot, and see what it is like to reflect on what you are learning about yourself. Then, go ahead and order The Professor’s Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections on the Higher Ed Experience so that you can be prepared to reflect this semester.
Here are the links:
My Publisher: https://bit.ly/thewirejournal
Amazon: https://amzn.to/40W4U4y
Gumroad: https://bit.ly/thefillablewire
Are you ready to “Write with Me?” Let’s go!