WP Crowdsourcing Strategies for Avoiding Burn-out by Christina Michaud

Our tips:

2025-09-12 20:31:15 UTC

--Use a timer

--Therapy (not kidding) adderall (also not kidding)

--Focus on a specific subset of things to give feedback on, not just comment on everything

Student Recommendations

2025-09-12 20:32:45 UTC

Determine a time “budget” per semester, require students to write a reflection on their work they can build from

Unique solutions for every instructor

2025-09-12 20:33:19 UTC

For me, it was conferencing for every draft and final and every assignment, not giving extensive written feedback alone on anything (and I don't read the papers ahead of time before the conference). Takes a lot of time, but only 20-25 minutes per student per feedback which is less than I spent before. But that obviously doesn't work for everyone. The real trick is to recognize that no solution works for everyone, give yourself permission to get CREATIVE even if it means doing something different from what most people are doing, because it works for YOU.

Student Recommendations

2025-09-12 20:35:46 UTC

I learned this from Heather Barrett, who has a handy document that outlines the process of requesting letters and puts some of the work back on the student:

When requesting a letter of recommendation, please provide me with information about the specific position or program to which you are applying. Including a link to a description is a great way to do this. In addition, please tell me why you are applying, what you learned in my class that is relevant to the position or program, and any particular areas/skills that you’d like me to highlight, especially related to the specific contributions you made or work you turned in for the class. This information should be 1-2 paragraphs in length.

2025-09-12 20:36:12 UTC

Timer

Set expectations and boundaries with students. (Feedback, emails, ……)

No emails on weekends (for colleagues too)

Some meetings can be emails

We are whole beings …

2025-09-12 20:44:29 UTC

Check in with the people who are part of your non BU ecosystem. You will gain some great information and strategies, even some good humor. My kid and partner keep me in check.