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Section
Contents
The TA Balancing Act
The TA as Student
The TA as Teacher
The Instructor-Student Liaison Role
The International TA
The Distance Education TA
The TA as Union Member
The TA as GSA Member
In the Classroom . . . |
The TA Balancing Act
(Source: Adapted from Maryann Kope, The Learning Commons, University
of Guelph)
The many roles of a TA- student, teacher, researcher, colleague, friend
- create different time management challenges than you may have experienced
as an undergraduate student. Even students who previously managed their
workloads successfully may struggle as graduate students to find a workable
balance between the many and diverse demands placed on their time. Here
are a few considerations to keep in mind as you strive to find that balance:
- Take time at the beginning of each semester to set some goals, short-term
and long-term, and academic and personal. Set aside time every month and
at the end of the semester to review and revise these goals, and reflect
on your progress towards them.
- Relaxing effectively is just as important as working effectively. Planning
your time wisely means that you can do both. Include frequent breaks as
part of your daily work routine, and plan a short "vacation"
away from large projects, such as your thesis, to avoid burn-out and maintain
momentum.
- Be wary of how unsuspected tendencies toward perfectionism can affect
the way you work and your satisfaction with what you accomplish. Learn
how to "satisfice" i.e., recognize when what you've accomplished
is satisfactory and sufficient.
- Warn family and friends ahead of time when a busy, stressful time approaches.
You'll find them more understanding and sympathetic if they understand
why you're suddenly not available.
- Use the services available on campus when you need support, new strategies,
or a different approach to the way you're using your time.
Tips From the TA Next Door . . .
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Try to coordinate your workload as a student with your TA responsibilities:
- When you get the course outlines for your own courses match them up
with the due dates for the course you are TAing. Keep an eye out for conflicting
due dates between grading requirements and your own course work. This is
especially important with distance education courses or particularly large
courses where marking often arrives in huge batches.
- Remember that your students may need more time and support the week
before an exam or when a large project is due. You might have to schedule
extra office hours or review sessions during that period which will affect
the amount of time you have available for your own work.
- Don't forget that you are only being paid for working a certain number
of hours. If demands on your time are excessive raise this issue with the
course instructor.
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