Hi,
Thanks for the plug Sandra, though I have to admit that most of the thinking behind it wasn't mine. Our Sport unit, Counselling service, HR and Occupational Health have been running well-being activities for several years and the day I organized was mainly an awareness raising exercise to publicise what the University offers as a matter of course. Last week, for example, was Wellbeing week for the whole university, with events every day throughout the week, I've attached the programme in case it's of interest.
The event that I organized in January was specifically aimed at Postgrad Researchers and arose out of concerns about the number of requests for interruptions and extensions we receive which identify stress and depression as reasons. On the day we provided tasters of the activities that are held on a regular basis.
We've become aware that many PhD students seem to find it difficult to cope with any kind of critical response and that the kind of critical analysis which should be expected at that level is interpreted as negative personal criticism as opposed to constructive feedback or challenges to the thinking.
As a direct response to Chris, though, what I have noticed in the past is there can be "cohort panic" where one or two highly stressed individuals will wind everyone else in their cohort up into a state of panic. It depends a bit on how the group interact with each other outside of the teaching environment. I've also seen groups where the stress has been a response to the way in which the assignment has been presented by the lead academic. Some academics can manage to put the fear of God into their students.
All the best,
Ann
Ann Barlow,
Head of Researcher Development Team,
Humanities Faculty,
Devonshire House,
The University of Manchester,
Tel: 0161 275 0298
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield
Sent: 04 April 2011 12:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Self reliance & de-stressing...
In the ALDinHE professional practice on-line diary, Ann Barlow of
Manchester had noticed the same thing - and organised a Well-Being event
- supported by Student Services, Counselling and, I think, Massage and
Occupational Therapy students... It looked excellent and timely! I'd
like to organise one here - if I wasn't so stressed myself...
Best,
Sandra
Christine Keenan wrote:
>
> Dear everyone
>
> A Friday afternoon muse!
>
> We have noticed unusually high levels of anxiety and stress this year
> within final year design students doing their dissertation
> presentations. We have seen students quite unable to cope and
> almost cracking under the strain. Whilst in the past there was
> obviously a full range of responses from some nervous and anxious
> students to the more confident, but this year it has been incredibly
> difficult to manage with so many students displaying unusual stress
> levels.
>
> This seems to be stemming from students not building self reliance and
> coping strategies which we'd usually expect them to have done as they
> mature through the course, but not so this year.
>
> Has anyone else notice this phenomenon?
>
> Chris
>
>
> Christine Keenan FHEA
>
> Learning and Teaching Fellow
>
> School of Design, Engineering & Computing
>
> Bournemouth University
>
> Poole House
>
> Fern Barrow
>
> Poole Dorset
>
> BH12 5BB
>
>
>
> Tel: 01202 965307
>
>
>
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--
Sandra Sinfield, University Teaching Fellow
Co-ordinator (North) Learning Development
LC206, Learning Centre, London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road,
London N7 6PP
020.7133.4045
Companies Act 2006 : http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/companyinfo
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