Instead of Hustling, I’m Heeding
I have numerous phrases that could start this article, but you’ve read them all many times over the last few weeks. Phrases like:
- Things are strange
- We’ll all get through this, but,
- In times like these,
- How are YOU?
So for the sake of your eyes and your mental health, I’ll skip that. Instead I’ll say, I’m feeling a lot of things right now.
As an educator, I’m in a state of stress with my students because THEY are in a state of confusion, uncertainty, and doubt. They took a leap a few months ago to start learning a new skill for a new career. They wanted to get out of their current situation and learn their way into a better one. They wanted security and stability. And now, many are too distracted by their new home lives to focus on their work. They’re scared they made the wrong choice and are wondering if they just should’ve stayed where they were. They want to know if design really means anything and will they be able to get a job? The focus on assignments was gone almost immediately after this all began. Instead, my time has been filled with listening to concerns, advising on next steps, and encouraging my students to continue their design education, in whatever way they can manage.
