It would be an understatement to say that I felt under the weather recently. The cold started on the last Friday in September; it finally started to ease up at the end of the following week. I was fighting off a fever, a cough, the chills, and complete and total exhaustion.
Did I still go into work? Of course, I did. Things had to get done. Our office had two judicial hearings that week, and I wanted to make sure I was there for both. Could the hearings have gone on without me? Should I have stayed home? Yes and yes.
This is precisely what I learned. I eventually had to stay home because even putting on clothes wiped me out from lack of energy.
Work goes on. What I am slowly learning as a new student affairs professional is that you cannot put your job or students in front of your own health. Not only did those two days allow me to rest so that I could begin to recover, but also those two days also served as mental health days where I completely disconnected from work.
At times, I seem to forget that I cannot serve the population when my mind and body are not 100%. I must remember to take a day or two here or there to ensure that I remain focused, rejuvenated, and prepared; otherwise, my students and I suffer together.
How many times have you gone into work when you knew you should’ve stayed home? What finally forced you to stay home and get some rest?
Juhi Bhatt
is the Coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Student Information at Bergen Community College.
Juhi works between the Center for Student Success as a career and transfer counselor and a judicial affairs coordinator within the Office of Student Life and Judicial Affairs. Additionally, she manages the information desk within the new Student Center.