I walked to the copier to print out some handouts for an upcoming class, and met a frazzled looking Asian student in a definite bad way. Something she needed was not printing properly and it was clear that she was at the end of her endurance. I asked what she was trying to do and she valiantly fought back her tears and she explained that her paper which was due at the upcoming class, on which she had worked most of the night, would not print.
I investigated, and sure enough. Our poor printer was in overdrive with all the workload being demanded during this last ditch effort of the semester. I fuddled with it for a bit and as I worked she started talking. It was like a damn bursting. First a trickle of her litany of troubles. Then a stronger stream of problems. Then a full force flood of agony that dragged every personal woe out into the harsh and glaring light of her anxiety.
It was clear that she needed to talk to somebody, and I was it. I stopped fuddling with the copier, handing it off to a student worker and gave her my full attention. She didn't even realize the change. She was on a roll and I don't think she was even aware of where she was or that anyone was hearing her. The events in her life had been for her most traumatic and she was definitely not dealing well with things.
I quietly prayed as she went on and on. No need to say anything, though I did ask if she had been to the counseling center or talked with her advisor. Turns out she had, and I suspect she had gone through the same experience with them. Finally, she realized that she had to get to class. Her paper, fortunately, was ready and she stapled it and turned to me. I just gave her a big hug and a Kleenex and she smiled. Not a fix, but a start. I am sure she will be fine once the changes that are upsetting her have passed.
Meanwhile, I am sobered to realize that all our students need special prayer during this difficult end of semester. Wow. I am so glad I am not going through all that!
I investigated, and sure enough. Our poor printer was in overdrive with all the workload being demanded during this last ditch effort of the semester. I fuddled with it for a bit and as I worked she started talking. It was like a damn bursting. First a trickle of her litany of troubles. Then a stronger stream of problems. Then a full force flood of agony that dragged every personal woe out into the harsh and glaring light of her anxiety.
It was clear that she needed to talk to somebody, and I was it. I stopped fuddling with the copier, handing it off to a student worker and gave her my full attention. She didn't even realize the change. She was on a roll and I don't think she was even aware of where she was or that anyone was hearing her. The events in her life had been for her most traumatic and she was definitely not dealing well with things.
I quietly prayed as she went on and on. No need to say anything, though I did ask if she had been to the counseling center or talked with her advisor. Turns out she had, and I suspect she had gone through the same experience with them. Finally, she realized that she had to get to class. Her paper, fortunately, was ready and she stapled it and turned to me. I just gave her a big hug and a Kleenex and she smiled. Not a fix, but a start. I am sure she will be fine once the changes that are upsetting her have passed.
Meanwhile, I am sobered to realize that all our students need special prayer during this difficult end of semester. Wow. I am so glad I am not going through all that!
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