Not Too Bad

We've been in Spring Training for work this week. All full-time and regular part-time staff meet in a conference room where we receive training on some old stuff that we've been neglecting and new stuff that we'll have to implement. It's not as boring as it sounds, and it's exactly as boring as it sounds. I haven't been hating it, actually, which surprises me. Some of the information is too familiar to be interesting, whereas the new stuff gets all of our attention and we're all asking questions and getting involved. And, of course, it's all helpful information to give us the tools we need in order to assist our students and help them be successful.

There are some new things we're gonna be putting into practice that will totally help students (though some of these things are not very fair and will make our jobs a little more... interesting--thank you, Congress). And a few things that will make our jobs easier (yay for automated systems). But there was one thing in particular we learned about and will be implementing coming this Summer semester that will not make our students happy. To be honest, I think it's an extremely fair way of doing the Pell Grants for the Summer, but I know there will be students who will think it's extremely unfair and we'll hear about it, I'm sure. Thank you, Congress, for making our jobs enjoyable.

One plus of Spring Training: a break from the everyday, answering the same questions all day long. Another plus: lunch is provided. Big plus: earning prizes, such as "1/2 Hour Off" coupons, candy, and Food Service Meal Vouchers. Biggest plus: we've been finishing our sessions about an hour and a half early, and so we've been allowed to leave an hour and a half early. (Today, we were off by 11:45!!) Best news from Spring Training: we're gonna try out 10-4's in June and July. Woo Hoo! An extra day a week off. Of course that means working from 7 to 6 four days a week, and coordinating with the other counselors, so possibly not being able to pick which day I get, but I'm OK with that if it means I get an entire day off. Hallelujah.

So, I know this post is boring and I'm sure no one will read it, but now it's done, so deal with it.