AIBU to actually want my break at work?

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

I teach at university level and my students just will NOT leave me alone in the time I have scheduled as a break! And it is actually supposed to be a break not office hours etc. I've been timetabled so I teach a max of 4.5 hours back to back (read without eating/a loo break) which at 32 weeks pregnant is just about doable but today I do 3 hours, 1 hour as an early lunch/middayish break and then 3 more and if it's anything like Monday or last week I won't have a moment.

I can't cope with not having that time, even 10 mins of it would do, but they have questions afterwards and some even try to come and see me when I'm teaching other classes so they come back at the end and need things explaining so I'm still in the classroom and people arrive early for their next class and have questions and before I know it the hour's gone.

I'm not BU, am I? I know being available is part and parcel of the job but equally I need to go to the loo sometimes!

I think they're being quite disrespectful really in expecting you to be available on demand. Can you not just tell them you've got some urgent matters to attend to and to come back later? Or schedule a time when you'll be available? When I was at uni you made arrangements to go and see the tutor in their office if you needed extra help rather than just showing up and expecting them to be available.

Agree with Seaweed that students should make an appointment to see you. Most of my lecturers at uni had a sign up sheet outside of their door for 10 minute appointments during specific blocks of time.

It sort of depends if this is normal and is only irking you now you're pregnant, or if it's a new development with this set of students.

Either way, to sort it you need to set out ground rules: I'm sorry, can you come and see me at convenient o'clock or something.

Or, be really explicit and blame the hormones! "Argh, the baby's right on my bladder, if I don't get to a bathroom in 3 minutes flat, you'll be getting your answer standing in a puddle" then run to the staff room and hide

Um, what's the problem with saying "I'm not available right now, come back in xminutes/at x time"? Make an announcement at the start of each class that you won't be able to take questions etc after the session, but students with queries can come and see you in your office/wherever between x times on y day. When you've finished the teaching part, gather your things and leave. Just say no!

Could you build in a 10 minute Q&A session into the actual teaching time?

I work in a school, and declare my recess and lunchtimes sacrosanct. All lesson enable question time. Anything else is by appointment. At 8.00.a.m. or after school on Friday.

I find this sorts out those who really need my help.

I am lenient for new starters in secondary.

I agree that you need to build in question time if you aren't already, but also to just say no. Students really aren't offended by that in my experience, as long as you specify when/how you would be able to talk more (i.e. 'use my office hour'). Leaving the room is also effective, even if you just go to the loo and go straight back.

YANBU

I'm a secondary teacher, and as the exams are approaching for years 11,12 and 13 I could easily have all my lunchtimes and breaktimes booked up. I schedule times, and tell students to come then. Much easier to deal with a load of them at once than all individually for five minutes.

You are not being unreasonable.

Could you not just put a sign onto your door?
"I am on my break and not available (or: not in?). Please come back .... (office hour) or email me if it's an emergency so we can make an appointment."

Am I right in thinking that you don't have an office? That makes it harder for students to see you. Am I also right in thinking that your colleagues don't have office hours, as they have no offices either?

I can see why the students are badgering you, as there is probably a dearth of info from your colleagues, and you are very likely one of the few staff who actually answer their enquiries. The students have doubtless cottoned on to this, and are taking advantage.

But I think you need to say, nicely but firmly, that you have now finished your lesson and have other things to do. Say outright that you have to go to the lavatory - that might embarrass them enough to get rid of them.

Or invent an appointment immediately after the lesson if need be for a week or two, and once they see you heading off straight after class they may drop the habit.

If they come back when you are about to teach another class, they need to be told to raise their problems in their own class time.

If they are all doing it, in all your groups, you could have a word with each group at the start of the next lesson, saying that you appreciate that they are looking for answers, but that you cannot be expected to devote your short break time to that one activity. If you explain clearly that you are not being left enough time to eat and have a break, then you can fob them off more easily in future.

Auld - yes and yes. I might email you, if that's okay? (don't want to be a bother).

I don't remember it being a problem last semester and the not having office hours makes things very difficult. They are fairly important questions and often specific to the person who is asking so not easily addressed in class, and I do leave 10 mins free so they can get to their next lecture/ask me questions but far too often that doesn't seem enough. I was more ruthless today but I do feel bad because there isn't really a good time for them to come and see me!

Snap, feel free to e-mail me.