Come September, teachers hit the ground running and there is no stopping us until Christmas break! The focus is on the students and the demands of a busy school day. Sometimes it feels like if you have to remember one more thing you will explode. How many times have you realized that you forgot to make that doctor’s appointment or stop by the pharmacy because you were still in school mode? It is tough to do it all. One teacher explained it like this, “If my house is clean then my classroom is a mess and if my classroom is in order then my home is a shambles.”

Balancing school life and personal life can be challenging. How can you offer your best to your students, friends, and family when there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. Everyone says prioritize. Do yourself a favor the next time you feel overwhelmed by school, take time out to remember that you are a person first, and then a teacher.

Some tips for maintaining balance:

1.   Laugh with your students. Remember to enjoy your students. Deadlines can create stress for teachers and we can lose sight of the enjoyment that is part of our profession. Make sure you are listening to your students, so you don’t miss out on one of the greatest pleasures of teaching. One day I overheard one of my first grader say, “I remember the good ole’ days back in kindergarten…” LOL

2.   Talk nicely to yourself. Positive self talk can help you maintain a positive outlook which is important to maintaining productivity. When you begin to feel stressed tell yourself, “I can do some things, but I cannot do everything.” This personal mantra may help when you feel like you have to be everything and do everything!

3.   One night a week promise not to do anything school related. No grading papers, no going online to find a classroom activity, no checking school email from home –NADA! This means that even when you go to the grocery store you do not pick up snack items for your classroom. It will be hard, but you can do it!

4.   Set time aside for friends. People need to feel connected to stay balanced. Set time aside to have a social life outside of the school setting. Call a friend and have coffee before or after school. Discuss and make plans to do it again before you leave because chances are, if you don’t make plans you won’t see your friend until Christmas break.

5.   Take time for yourself. Maintaining your personal style and body takes time and effort. Think about how much you have invested in your education; you are a smart person. Smart people take care of important things like maintaining good health—and that includes a positive mental state. Do something you enjoy:  go shopping for a new outfit, get a massage, take a yoga class, and don’t put off seeing your doctor because you are too busy.

I hope these tips help you. They are pieces of advice I have received from other teachers along the way. Some of the teachers did not realize they were offering advice. Please make sure to look back on these around the beginning of October and perhaps again in late March—just to keep you on track.

Here’s to maintaining balance,

Holli Weaver