Stop complaining

Do not go into the faculty room, was the advice given to me when I first started teaching.  All they do in the faculty room is complain.  What I realized is complaining is not only common among teachers, but you can find it in any organization.  The truth is that it saps the energy out of you, prevents synergy and does not allow the organization to perform at its best.

So, what can we do to break the cycle of complaining.  Here are a couple of tips.

1-Focus on gratitude.  As mentioned in previous blogs if you do three good things each day it will boost your happiness.  Also, when you are focused on being grateful this occupies your mind instead of negative thoughts

2-Praise others.  Instead of finding or pointing out what is wrong about things try to find the positive.  Look for things that people around you are doing well and praise them.  What has been found is that work places that are extremely successful have a 3-1 ratio.  That is three positive statements for every negative statement.

3-Let go.  I try to practice forgiveness each night and let go of the things that bothered me during the day.  What truly amazes me about this exercise is that I can feel the tension leave my body which allows me to focus on things that I can control.

4-Meditate-Scientific research shows that meditation gives you a boost of energy and promotes health.  So, when things are getting you down or you start to feel like complaining, take a moment for yourself.

Habits are very hard to break.   I challenge you to pick one of these things and implement them every time you are about to complain.  It will help you live a happier and more productive life

Transition

I was walking down the hall when a student asked me could we talk in private for a minute.  The student was worried about his transition to college.  The student expressed that one of  things he liked best about our school was having relationships with his teachers and was scared that would not be possible at the college level.


I assured him that it was normal to be nervous about the college experience.  That for some they might be nervous about the social aspect, other the academic and yet others the first time away from home for an extended period.  Some students show their nervousness while others hide it.

My first piece of advice was to sit in the front three rows of any lecture.  Ask questions of the professor and answer questions when the professors ask.  Putting yourself front and center allows the professor to at least be able to recognize you.  I also recommended taking notes by hand (no computers) as this way there are less distractions.  I know personally when I am at meetings where I have my computer I often am checking my e-mail etc.


Secondly, go see the professor during office hours.  These hours are scheduled so that students can get to know the professors.  You can ask them to clarify some points that were discussed in the lecture.  You also might ask them questions that were not covered in the lecture that you are curious about.


While this part will not allow you to build better relationships I thought it was valuable.  It is harder to be a C student your freshman year than an A student.  If you are an A student, you have built a strong foundation in your introductory courses so that the next level of classes will not seem difficult.


However, if you are a C student freshman year those second year courses are even more difficult.

When I finished talking with the student he said that is what he does now in high school which hopefully will make his transition a little easier.


When I finished talking with the student he said that is what he does now in high school which hopefully will make his transition a little easier.

I know some former students sometimes read the blog let me know if there is anything you would add.