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DanaC · 09-23-2007, 06:28 AM

I love aspects of both my 'jobs'. I also find aspects of both frustrating. Mostly the things I don't like are of my own making. I let things build up a bit then feel guilty that I haven't done stuff I should have done, then have a flurry of activity and make serious headway, (which feels great). When I am not in Uni it's bouts of depression that trip me up and that's when some of the Council stuff slides for a couple of weeks. When I am back in Uni, it's simply a lack of enough hours in the day to achieve what I am trying to achieve. Trying to time manage when you're as naturally disorganised as I am is a bitch.

When I am getting stuff done and keeping up to date I love my Council work. I get a kick out of helping people resolve their problems and navigate the system. Most of the time that involves a bit of a slog and phonecalls/letters and emails flying about to different people. There are times though where it just takes one letter, or one email and the problem melts away. I love it when that happens.

A lot of what I do is what I consder 'scary shit', like holding a microphone and speaking to a crowd of people on a topic you just researched yesterday:P Or putting your constituents' case to council, knowing some of them are in the public seats and the local press is taking notes. That stuff scares me rigid, but the adrenaline dump I get at the end makes the fear worthwhile. I am not one of life's natural public speakers, nor am I comfortable in the limelight, but I've enjoyed some of that more than I anticipated.

I love studying History at Uni. I am never happier than when I am surrounded by a big pile of books in a study-cabin at the library. I enjoy the lectures and it's always a pleasure to hear professors who know and love their topic. I like writing essays, but it's also frustrating and hard work at times. I love research, but fitting it in around all the other stuff can be hard.

So yeah...I like what I do. I find it hard to manage my time and bouts of depression occassionally knock me off my stride: I only really manage my time when my back is against the wall and I am only safe from depression if I am busy...so I ensure my back is against the wall most of the time and I say 'yes' to invites and requests to get more involved. Every so often I come to a grinding halt and need a week to get my breath, but mostly during term time I am busy as I can be.

09-23-2007, 06:28 AM	#12
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I love aspects of both my 'jobs'. I also find aspects of both frustrating. Mostly the things I don't like are of my own making. I let things build up a bit then feel guilty that I haven't done stuff I should have done, then have a flurry of activity and make serious headway, (which feels great). When I am not in Uni it's bouts of depression that trip me up and that's when some of the Council stuff slides for a couple of weeks. When I am back in Uni, it's simply a lack of enough hours in the day to achieve what I am trying to achieve. Trying to time manage when you're as naturally disorganised as I am is a bitch. When I am getting stuff done and keeping up to date I love my Council work. I get a kick out of helping people resolve their problems and navigate the system. Most of the time that involves a bit of a slog and phonecalls/letters and emails flying about to different people. There are times though where it just takes one letter, or one email and the problem melts away. I love it when that happens. A lot of what I do is what I consder 'scary shit', like holding a microphone and speaking to a crowd of people on a topic you just researched yesterday:P Or putting your constituents' case to council, knowing some of them are in the public seats and the local press is taking notes. That stuff scares me rigid, but the adrenaline dump I get at the end makes the fear worthwhile. I am not one of life's natural public speakers, nor am I comfortable in the limelight, but I've enjoyed some of that more than I anticipated. I love studying History at Uni. I am never happier than when I am surrounded by a big pile of books in a study-cabin at the library. I enjoy the lectures and it's always a pleasure to hear professors who know and love their topic. I like writing essays, but it's also frustrating and hard work at times. I love research, but fitting it in around all the other stuff can be hard. So yeah...I like what I do. I find it hard to manage my time and bouts of depression occassionally knock me off my stride: I only really manage my time when my back is against the wall and I am only safe from depression if I am busy...so I ensure my back is against the wall most of the time and I say 'yes' to invites and requests to get more involved. Every so often I come to a grinding halt and need a week to get my breath, but mostly during term time I am busy as I can be.