Fall  2004

The Balancing Act

Message from the President

As I struggle to find the (uninterrupted) time to compose this article, I am reminded of how hectic and full our lives are as disability service providers.  We not only provide services for students but also provide information and support for faculty, staff, and administrators.  We seem to be the first to be called when there is any remote tie to accessibility, disability, or accountability.  We are blamed more than we are praised, ignored more than acknowledged, and, let’s face it, rarely compensated for the number of hours we devote to our students and institutions.  I, and you I’m sure, often feel completely overwhelmed, not to mention exhausted, at the end of every working day, which  usually stretches beyond 5:00 o’clock….but we continue to rise  the next morning and return to our desks to start another challenging day. 

 With the stress, the time, and the exhaustion that come with the job, I also often feel guilt—guilt for not spending enough time on my composition classes; guilt for not calling my son, my mother, my siblings, my friends; guilt for being too tired to help my daughter with her homework.  And of course, I feel irritation and disappointment when I am unable to “do it all.”  I am torn, out-of-balance; I need help!  Do you?

If these thoughts and feelings are eerily close to your own, let me recommend a remedy—let me suggest a way to find that illusive balance.  Make plans now to attend the Georgia AHEAD conference March 21-23, 2005, in beautiful, historic Savannah, Georgia.  The theme of the conference is “The Practice: Balance and Professionalism in Disability Services.”  Not only will we have the opportunity to learn, but we will also have some well-deserved fun and relaxation, and a chance to recharge our commitment to disability services and renew old acquaintances.  Nobody understands the jobs we do better than our fellow DS providers.  Come join us.  I am looking forward to seeing you in Savannah.

Martha Van Cise       President, GA AHEAD.

Test Anxiety

Adapted from University of Florida Counseling Center

Many students are experiencing test anxiety.  As we work with students, it is important for us to understand what is test anxiety and how our students can manage it.

What is Test Anxiety?

Test anxiety is apprehension experienced before, during, or after an exam.  It can also appear as sleep difficulty, change in appetite, feelings of dread or hopelessness, sweaty palms, panic feelings, headaches, vomiting or fainting.

What can students do to manage test anxiety?

Some anxiety before and during tests is good.  A moderate amount of anxiety gives you the edge to perform your best just like an athlete before a big game.  However, if the anxiety is interfering with the ability to take a test and affecting one's grades, the student may be experiencing excessive test anxiety.  Here are several tips to manage anxiety.

• Study in advance
• Attend all classes, keep up with reading, and seek extra help when needed.
• Get enough sleep-especially the night before
• Eat healthy food and exercise.
• Study with classmates that are helpful, NOT stressful.
• Relax the hour before the exam
• Focus on completing the test and showing what you know.  Do not focus on failure, which questions you may be missing, what a bad grade means.
• During exams, stop and breathe calmly and say rational, positive thoughts.  (It’s just one test.  All I can do is my best.  I am prepared.  I will succeed.
• Reward yourself after the test for your hard work.
• Contact a professional specializing in anxiety if you continue to have problems.

Spring into Action

Rodney E. Pennamon, GA-AHEAD Board Member

The hectic pace of Fall is over but Spring is right around the corner.  The anxious line of students outside of the Disability Services office and the endless pile of psycho-educational assessments to be reviewed have slowed to more manageable foot traffic and the occasional diagnostic evaluation to be reviewed. The dust has now officially settled and it’s time for you to take stock of your professional and personal goals. This is the perfect time for you to do some of the many things that you said you don’t have time to do.  In the profession of disability services there are peak times; when there is a lull in the activity you must seize the moment before the next big wave washes in. We spend a lot of time and energy putting out fires, consoling students and talking with a myriad of people from parents to vocational rehabilitation to faculty and administrators on our campuses. As a result we forget to take time out for ourselves and to reenergize our weary minds and bodies. The following are a few suggestions to get you both motivated and hopefully prepared to Fall Back Into Action this semester.

· Are you able to find important information easily? If not then, clean up and organize your office. Are your student files, databases, etc. organized? What do you need to throw away? You’ll be more productive in an office that is not cluttered. You’ll also feel better knowing that when you need information it’s at your fingertips.  The clean up job goes much faster if you don’t try to do it alone.

What type of time manager are you? Are you managing your time effectively? Are you leaving work late several nights a week? Do you feel overwhelmed like you’ll never get caught up? If you answered yes, then you need to start with a To Do List. Rank your priorities starting with the most important. Decide what you can reasonably get done within a workday. Know when to stop and begin fresh the next day. The work of a DSS provider is never ending so don’t trick yourself into thinking that an eight hour day will get it all done. Control interruptions such as phone calls, e-mails, and unimportant visits from colleagues and students who just want to chat. Be cordial but arrange your schedule to allow for these types of interruptions and work that must get done. Consider signing up for a workshop on time management. I did and it shed a whole new light on how I should approach each workday.

What have you done for yourself lately? Have you signed up for that class you have been wanting to take? Are you looking at opportunities to advance yourself professionally by earning an advanced degree or certification? Have you been to any good local, regional, or national conferences or workshops? Don’t forget to attend the GA-AHEAD Spring Conference 2005 in Savannah, March 21-23. Look for opportunities to network with other colleagues. If you enjoy writing get published in the numerous disability related journals and publications. Sharpen your presentation skills by presenting at conferences. Review your resume and look for ways to enhance your marketability

· Remember the old saying, “All work and no play makes Jack and Jill a dull boy and girl.” Well maybe it wasn’t exactly like that but you get the point. Take time out for exercise and relaxation. If you are spending your lunch breaks tied to your desk, are taking work home almost every night, and you can’t remember when you last had a Vacation, then you need to run not walk to your nearest health club, spa, or travel agent. We are in a helping profession that requires us to be at our best physically and emotionally. Spend time with your family or special friend. Take long walks and even longer weekends. Smile and realize the work we do really changes lives. A former student who I served through the DSS office returned to let me know how much this office helped her make it through classes so she could graduate. She’s now teaching others. Sometimes it’s the small rewards that mean the most in life.

On a closing note I have enjoyed serving GA-AHEAD as the Northeast Regional Representative. It has truly been a pleasure working with such knowledgeable and enthusiastic people. While I will be assuming a new position at another institution I will remain active with our organization but in a less visible role for now. I’m sure that the GA-AHEAD board of directors will find something for me to do. Keep moving forward!

Rodney E. Penneman

GA-AHEAD Board Member

2004-2005 Board Members