(Donald Braun): Welcome to our focus group everyone.

Lets begin my introducing each other with our name and we do for a living. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): My name is Rhonda and I am an administrator at a special needs school (age 34) (Kimberly Barber): hi. my name is Kim and i am a student and stay home mom (age 30) (Stephanie Smythe): My name is Stephanie and I am a child and youth care counsellor at a special needs school (age 25) (Mindy Seto): Hi My name is Mindy and I am a Math teacher. (age ?) (Carl William Peori): My name is Carl Peori and I am a High School English Teacher (age 31) (Donald Braun): Well thank you for attending our focus group tonight. Remember that everything we say is confidential and will not be repeated outside of this group. (Kimberly Barber): ok (Rhonda Dianne Williams): sounds good (Mindy Seto): That's important (Donald Braun): Aside from graduate school work, what other commitments and obligations are there in your life? (Donald Braun): Feel free to join in the conversation whenever you have a comment (Carl William Peori): ok (Kimberly Barber): A child, husband, extended family, social life, volunteer work, running a household (i.e. cooking and cleaning), leisure time, exercise COM (Mindy Seto): Aside from grad work, I am working full time. I am also very involved with my community. My parents don't speak English so I am their interpreter for every event in life. COM (Donald Braun): Sounds like a lot on your plates! Others? (Stephanie Smythe): work and the gym are my main focus outside of schoolwork COM (Carl William Peori): I am an active member in my family, I have two nieces, and many friends. I like to run and I exercise regularly COM (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have a full time job in a high needs school, a needy husband (just kidding!) COM (Kimberly Barber): haha Rhonda, me too!

(Mindy Seto): I have needy family members and relatives. S-FAM (Mindy Seto): especially mom and grandmas S-FAM (Donald Braun): It sounds like our entire group is quite busy with commitments like families, jobs, leisure etc. Has anyone thought of another commitment we have not mentioned yet? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): not that I can think of right now (Rhonda Dianne Williams): other than my dog COM (Kimberly Barber): that it for me (Rhonda Dianne Williams): she has some heath concerns from time to time (Donald Braun): Lets move on to our next question which has two parts. The first part is a simple yes or no question. After hearing from you about this I will ask you the next part. (Kimberly Barber): ok (Donald Braun): Do you experience stress as a graduate student? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): yes (Stephanie Smythe): yes! (Kimberly Barber): YES! (Carl William Peori): Yes! (Mindy Seto): Definitely!!!! (Stephanie Smythe): lots! (Carl William Peori): I find graduate studies dont' take into account that we have full time jobs and families. COM (Stephanie Smythe): i agree, Carl (Kimberly Barber): yes me too Carl (Stephanie Smythe): most graduate students i meet are super super busy (Donald Braun): I can feel the emotion in your responses. Clearly you are communicating that being a graduate student involves some stress! How is this stress different in your life from before you were a grad student? (Mindy Seto): I find that our families don't remember that I am a student and a worker S-FAM

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): I don't know how people complete two courses at a time and work full time and have families S-FAM S-WORK (Donald Braun): I hear that families may not understand the level of stress. Has anyone else experienced this? (Stephanie Smythe): yes, i think some of them try, but they don't really get it S-FAM (Carl William Peori): I am a single male, and I find it hard to keep it all together. I couldn't imagine a full time job, a family, and going to school S-FAM S-WORK S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it is hard for people to understand the pressure if they have not gone through the experience S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): yes. usually my husband is pretty good, but when he is stressed he is less supportive to me S-FAM (Mindy Seto): Well, now that I'm in the situation, I know my life is definitely MUCH more stressful than before I became a grad student. I have many more deadlines to meet nowadays than before. I have to be very strategic about programming my day and my weekend so that I can get everything done. S-GRAD C-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I feel bad telling family members I can't do things because I have to work on my school work. S-FAM (Stephanie Smythe): yes, Mindy, time management is a huge issue C-TIME (Donald Braun): How else is stress different for you now then it was before grad school? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): a very huge issue C-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): its totally consuming... it follows me around all day and night, whereas before, the stress of work stayed at work S-GRAD (Donald Braun): So stress is at work and home now? (Kimberly Barber): Now being a grad student, I have less time to do the things that I enjoy and that help me decrease my stress. I have little leisure time, or time to relax and I think those things help me decrease my stress. S-GRAD S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): especially working 30 hours and taking two classes S-GRAD S-WORK (Mindy Seto): lack of time is the issue...I don't even have time to deal with my stress... S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): i feel the same way Kim S-GRAD S-TIME

(Carl William Peori): it's true, I agree. I just find the amount of work, along with being everything else, consuming S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): i put myself as the last priority S-TIME (Donald Braun): lack of leisure time, stress at home, family. Tell me more about your stress that is different in grad school. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): This year I was promoted to an administration position so the learning curve and stress is super high right now. I find I don't have time until the weekend to work on school work but with the demands of group work, it is tough to fit everything in S-TIME S-WORK (Donald Braun): Time is an issue then. Is this a stress point for others? (Stephanie Smythe): yes, there is never enough time! S-TIME (Kimberly Barber): I need a couple extra hours a day! S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): I always feel like Im playing catch up S-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I find that there is very little down time S-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have had to schedule in time to work out with my sister C-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have found my health has taken a back seat until recently S-HEALTH (Donald Braun): I am just wondering if there are a few more stressful areas of life that are different as a grad student? (Mindy Seto): yes...I find grad school takes away my time to do most of the things I enjoy. I have to prioritize my time so wisely and I still don't get everything done...sleep deprivation S-TIME C-TIME S-SLEEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): now I find I am way more productive but I have to make the time to fit exercise in without feeling guilty C-TIME C-EXCERCISE (Kimberly Barber): scheduling is good, but sometimes i don't like having every moment of my day planned out C-TIME (Mindy Seto): financially I also have to plan very wisely so I can pay for the bills and also the tuition S-$ (Stephanie Smythe): I have found that grad school stress has taken on a whole new meaning for me, because before stress was manageable, but now i can feel it taking a toll on my health S-HEALTH (Donald Braun): Anyone else struggle with sleep? (Stephanie Smythe): yes S-SLEEP

(Kimberly Barber): yes S-SLEEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): finding time to sleep you mean.... (Carl William Peori): it's the worry, if you're doing it all; is it getting done and done well? Financially it is a burden. You have to work, but you want to better yourself and your position. S-$ ANX (Mindy Seto): Sometimes I get up at 5am to get some of the discussion questions read S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): i lie in bed at night with a million assignments swirling around in my head S-SLEEP (Kimberly Barber): thanks goodness my daughter sleeps well, or i would be in big trouble! S-SLEEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I tend to feel guilty when I don't have the time to get things done with people SOC (Donald Braun): Lets move on to look at this issue of stress a little more closely. How does your experience of stress affect the way you think? For example is your mind more clear? Do you struggle with any thought patterns? (Mindy Seto): I have readings waiting for me to do ALL the time. I am reading for assignment 1 and reading the tasks we must complete each week and also reading the discussion board comments...I get stressed out for falling behind S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): I sometimes become irritable and I have trouble sleeping when I am very stressed. S-SLEEP IRR (Mindy Seto): I'm thinking differently now because I think how to plan my schedule all the time...must get things done is my new slogan C-TIME (Carl William Peori): I struggle with clearing my thoughts and focusing on me and my well being. Stress really occupies more time and energy than I'm willing to admit C-TIME S-HEALTH S-COG (Kimberly Barber): being tired is not good! S-SLEEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I find I need to make lists of things to complete in the day to try to alleviate some stress so I don't have to remember everything C-MEM (Rhonda Dianne Williams): otherwise I miss things C-MEM (Stephanie Smythe): i do the same thing Rhonda, my desk is covered in lists! C-MEM (Kimberly Barber): i agree with you Carl. I don't like to admit how stress can get to me S-COG (Mindy Seto): Thinking about how to get everything done actually helps me to reduce my stress because it will be more stressful if I don't get things done C-COG

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have tons of different colours and then I have lists of things to do later and things to do immediately C-MEM (Donald Braun): I hear that there is a need to keep your thoughts organized and some irritability. Any other thoughts on the way your thoughts are affected by stress? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): forgetfulness S-MEM (Donald Braun): Interesting (Kimberly Barber): i call that mommy brain! Haha S-MEM (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I guess I have no excuse for it! (Rhonda Dianne Williams): lol (Kimberly Barber): haha (Donald Braun): Does the future seem bright or cloudy in the midst of your grad school stress? (Carl William Peori): hah (Stephanie Smythe): my financial future doesn't seem all that bright.. S-$ (Mindy Seto): I am so stressed out that I don't really have time to think about the future!!! S-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I agree Steph S-$ (Kimberly Barber): bright because I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, soon C-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I feel like it will never end with only completing one class at a time S-COG (Carl William Peori): Being from Nova Scotia, the licensing for online courses is still in turmoil. There's a chance that when I graduate I won't be licensed in Nova Scotia. As well, right now, it looks like I'll have to go to Calgary in order to do my practicum; I don't have the money, or the time off work, to allow me to do this. I find, right now, the future is not so bright S-$ S-COG S-WORK (Kimberly Barber): i am further into the program than some of you, and it does get better C-COG (Mindy Seto): I feel that way too. I just want to complete one course at a time S-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I think the amount of courses you have completed can really impact your thoughts around it (Stephanie Smythe): yes, all of us are at different points in the program (Donald Braun): Lets look a little more at feelings... What are some of the feelings you experience as a result of grad school stress?

(Donald Braun): How does stress affect your feelings? (Kimberly Barber): i get grouchy! IRR (Stephanie Smythe): like Kim said earlier, irritability IRR (Stephanie Smythe): frustration FRUS (Kimberly Barber): yes Stephanie FRUS (Carl William Peori): I get depressed sometimes and anxious about the work needing to get done ANX DEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): overwhelmed around the times when assignments are due but excited and exhilarated (sp?) by learning new things OVERW (Mindy Seto): Actually, I get very tensed up and anxious ANX (Kimberly Barber): i feel anxiety sometime too ANX (Donald Braun): irritability, I sense some of you may be communicating anxiety. Is this the case? (Stephanie Smythe): i agree Carl, my anxiety has sky rocketed this semester ANX (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I think you are right about the anxiety ANX (Kimberly Barber): for me this semester is better than last. it varies ANX (Mindy Seto): I want to do well but I fear l I will get behind and not do well FEAR (Donald Braun): When we think of feelings we often experience more than one at once. Is anyone able to share a pair of feelings they experience when stressed. For example frustration leads to anger. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): this is at least everyone's second academic program and people take it very seriously (Stephanie Smythe): sometimes my anxiety makes me upset ANX DEP (Kimberly Barber): anger leads to anxiety ANX ANG (Carl William Peori): anxieties for me often lead me to depression ANX (Mindy Seto): anxiety leads to fear ANX FEAR (Rhonda Dianne Williams): anxiety leads to a heightened emotional state ANX EMO (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I can be more sensitive to feedback EMO (Kimberly Barber): yes, over emotional EMO

(Kimberly Barber): me too EMO (Donald Braun): You are a very insightful group and I think very dedicated in all you do. On this note, how might your grad school stress affect your work life? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I can also become more self- critical at the times when I am most stressed and feel like I can't succeed S-COG (Stephanie Smythe): i'm always tired at work S-WORK S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): do you mean work as in job? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): maybe other aspects of your life? (Stephanie Smythe): and sometimes I am thinking about assignments instead of focusing on what i'm supposed to be doing S-WORK S-GRAD (Donald Braun): Hoe does stress impact your school AND work performance? (Kimberly Barber): oh ok (Kimberly Barber): I think it has a negative impact on my schoolwork. I find the quality of my work somewhat suffers when I have too much to do S-GRAD (Stephanie Smythe): I agree Kim S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): I agree with Kim as well S-GRAD (Stephanie Smythe): or Ill miss out on certain readings cuz there are just too many S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): again, I think the heightened level of stress can always impact other areas of your life S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): yes I have a hard time keeping up with reading S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have done that tons of times before S-GRAD (Carl William Peori): Yes, I agree too; something has got to give. I find I have to balance work, with my health, with school. It seems I can never find a perfect balance and one must suffer because of that S-WORK S-GRAD S-HEALTH (Rhonda Dianne Williams): at the end of the day, my job comes first S-WORK (Donald Braun): Does anyone experience improvements in their work performance? Some had talked about being effective managers of time. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it is what pays the bills.... and for the courses! S-WORK

(Mindy Seto): I think my mind is divided. I don't have that much more time to put into both. S-WORK S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): I used to put way more time into my work but now the time has gone into my grad work S-WORK S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): sometimes I am able to manage my time better when I am super busy because every minute is accounted for C-TIME (Kimberly Barber): no, i don't think stress improves my work at all S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): but that can only last for a short period of time before I get too burned out C-TIME (Kimberly Barber): good point Rhonda C-TIME (Donald Braun): Others? Are there any benefits of stress in your work? (Carl William Peori): I haven't experienced any benefits to my work. S-WORK (Stephanie Smythe): not for me S-WORK (Mindy Seto): I don't think stress benefits my work S-WORK (Donald Braun): Any more thoughts on how your school work specifically is affected by stress ie your assignments? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I sometimes need a little bit of stress e.g. a deadline to keep me focused SGRAD S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): sometimes i run out of time and have to rush the end of a paper or assignment, and the end result is something that if i had been given more time, i would not have handed in S-GRAD S-TIME (Donald Braun): Does your graduate work suffer as a result of your stress? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): but I am always stressed about the deadlines and seem to underestimate the time it will take to complete things because I get caught up in the process S-GRAD S-TIME (Kimberly Barber): yes, I think so S-GRAD S-TIME (Mindy Seto): I get more headaches when I don't have enough sleep S-HEALTH S-SLEEP (Stephanie Smythe): I agree Rhonda, i allot time for something and it takes twice as long as i thought! S-GRAD S-TIME (Kimberly Barber): if I didn't have so much going on, i think i would do better work S-GRAD

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): Mine really does when I have deadlines at work as well S-WORK S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I am in a leadership position so I need to model what I would like others to do (Donald Braun): So I am hearing from you that stress, for the most part negatively affects your work and school life. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I need to follow through on work things and school stress and commitments can have a negative impact S-WORK S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): in the end the grad program loses that battle S-WORK (Donald Braun): How do you all know when your are first beginning to feel to much stress? What are the first signs? (Kimberly Barber): I become irritable. I do not allow myself to have time for self-care, and that compounds the stress. IRR S-HEALTH (Carl William Peori): Anxiousness begins to set in for me; that's when I know I've experienced too much stress ANX (Carl William Peori): I find friendships tend to fall to the side SOC (Stephanie Smythe): i can feel the stress in my body--body tension, headaches, grinding teeth, clenching fist, heart racing S-HEALTH (Kimberly Barber): true Carl SOC (Mindy Seto): When I am breathing quickly and have headaches S-HEALTH (Mindy Seto): When my students tell me I walk too fast. S-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I start to get forgetful S-MEM (Kimberly Barber): lol Mindy (Rhonda Dianne Williams): but my lists help! C-MEM (Kimberly Barber): i love lists too! C-MEM (Donald Braun): friendships suffer, irritability, physical problems, forgetfulness, high speed everything... Other signs? What would other people notice? (Kimberly Barber): i seem frazzled S-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): like I said before

(Stephanie Smythe): i have had someone tell me i am a completely different person when i am in school versus on a break from school (Mindy Seto): A messy house...room DISORG (Carl William Peori): People would notice withdrawal with me; I tend to pull in away from people SOC (Rhonda Dianne Williams): a little emotional EMO (Kimberly Barber): my friend says she can tell when I am stressed about school just by looking at me (Rhonda Dianne Williams): that is a good point about the messy house DISORG (Donald Braun): When you are far into too much stress and it has become serious, how do you know? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): crying! EMO (Kimberly Barber): emotional and anxious ANX EMO (Mindy Seto): sigh! Breathing quickly or deeply! S-HEALTH (Carl William Peori): the racing of thoughts S-COG (Mindy Seto): driving and talking to myself!! S-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): when I start getting irritated with others IRR (Kimberly Barber): I start snapping at people who don't deserve it IRR (Rhonda Dianne Williams): and then respond in a negative way IRR (Mindy Seto): good point Kim IRR (Rhonda Dianne Williams): start making assumptions (Rhonda Dianne Williams): about the intentions of another person S-COG (Donald Braun): Excellent points everyone. You are very honest! (Donald Braun): How does the stress you feel change across time and your circumstances? (Stephanie Smythe): my stress is different for different classes S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): i agree Stephanie S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it fluctuated depending on assignment deadlines and work deadlines S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): it also depends on the time of year for me S-GRAD

(Donald Braun): For example over the course of a term? (Mindy Seto): I think I can handle stress differently in different situations (Carl William Peori): I find I'm more stressed in the winter months; I assume lack of sun and the inability to get out has something to do with that too EMO (Kimberly Barber): stress goes through the roof before a big assignment S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): the end of the term is always a struggle because I just want it to be over S-GRAD (Stephanie Smythe): I agree Carl S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it also depends what is going on in my personal lif (Rhonda Dianne Williams): e (Stephanie Smythe): the assignments that are worth more weight, which usually happen near the end of the term are the most stressful S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): I find I am more stress in summer because i want to be doing other things EMO (Kimberly Barber): rather than school work (Donald Braun): How is your stress at the beginning of a semester? (Kimberly Barber): not usually too bad (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I had to take a step back with my parents and sisters and have them start organizing family gatherings more because I just don't have the time to be the one doing it S-FAM (Stephanie Smythe): less than at the end (Kimberly Barber): it seems manageable at the beginning of the semester (Rhonda Dianne Williams): in the beginning I am excited about the course and its possibilities EXC (Kimberly Barber): yes me too Rhonda EXC (Rhonda Dianne Williams): except for the first day if the demands seem overwhelming OVERW S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): It's usually not too bad at the beginning of the semester because the deadlines are still far away. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): but after the first lecture when I am able to get a better read of the prof then things settle out S-GRAD

(Donald Braun): Most of you are nearing the end of your courses right? How has your stress level changed over the course of the program? (Stephanie Smythe): I just started last may so i have a long way to go S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): this is only my 4th class S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): I have a long way to go...please tell me how you've coped with the program S-GRAD (Carl William Peori): Yes, I just started last May too, so I have a long way to go as well S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): for me it stress depends on the semester, but overall I feel better as I near the end S-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I am stressed about the internship S-GRAD (Stephanie Smythe): me too S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): My mom asked me how I've going to survive this busy life... (Kimberly Barber): why Rhonda? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): and having to take time off work S-GRAD (Donald Braun): Okay, did you feel more stress after a load of courses is finished and you look to the next? Or do you feel less stressed after each course? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): and also finding a place I would like to complete the internship at S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): true S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): I feel less stressed, the more courses I complete C-GRAD (Mindy Seto): I feel good after the course is over and feel proud to have completed another course!!! C-GRAD (Carl William Peori): I feel better when the course is complete C-GRAD (Rhonda Dianne Williams): at this point I don't feel less stressed when I complete a course because I am tired already and have so far to go S-GRAD (Kimberly Barber): one at a time...... (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I think "how can I do another three or four years of this!" S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): When I don't think about how many more to go, I feel better S-GRAD (Mindy Seto): Exactly...Rhonda...I felt that way too S-GRAD

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): My husband is also wanting to start a family and I really don't know how I am going to fit it all in! S-AGE (Kimberly Barber): wow, that's a lot Rhonda! (Rhonda Dianne Williams): that really stresses me out!!!! S-AGE (Mindy Seto): wow...that's a lot Rhonda...unless the baby can do the assignments for you! (Rhonda Dianne Williams): this is me being totally honest in a safe environment!!! (Kimberly Barber): lol Mindy (Kimberly Barber): babies are not much help! (Donald Braun): It is a valid stressor which we will get to in a minute Rhonda. (Donald Braun): Well, we have looked quite closely at the stress you have all felt as graduate students. What are some of the ways you cope with stress? Remember they can be positive or less positive ways... (Carl William Peori): I enjoy going out, spending time with friends, listening to music C-SOC C-MUS (Carl William Peori): watching movies C-MOV (Stephanie Smythe): yoga has become really important for me... at least once a week C-EXERCISE (Kimberly Barber): I like to play with my daughter, take a bath, or have a glass of wine. I also try to spend some time with friends, go for a walk, or get a massage. I also find the spa very relaxing, although I dont go often. C-EXERCISE C-SOC C-ALC C-SPA (Rhonda Dianne Williams): having a glass of wine with friends Friday right after work C-ALC (Rhonda Dianne Williams): at Woody's pub....you can join us if you like! (Mindy Seto): I think knowing that you all feel stress as well helps me to feel better about my stress...I think swimming helps me. C-EXERCISE C-SOC (Stephanie Smythe): yes Mindy thats a good point, being able to vent about it to someone who understands helps C-SOC (Carl William Peori): I enjoy yoga, and running as well. C-EXERCISE (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I like escaping into a movie as well. My sister and I have been working out over the last four weeks and it seems to really help even if I am super tired C-EXERCISE C-SOC C-MOV (Stephanie Smythe): yes, running helps C-EXERCISE (Donald Braun): Physical exercise, friendships, movies, yoga and massage, and of course wine and venting. Other thoughts?

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): venting with peers is a must! C-SOC (Kimberly Barber): last year I trained for 3 months and ran a 10K in addition to school and everything else. C-EXERCISE (Kimberly Barber): I'm not sure how I did that! (Rhonda Dianne Williams): congrats Kim (Kimberly Barber): thanks (Stephanie Smythe): wow Kim thats awesome (Rhonda Dianne Williams): you really are super human!! (Carl William Peori): that's great Kim, congratulations (Kimberly Barber): it was a good feeling (Mindy Seto): I think going to church and meeting with my church friends after church helps me a lot. C-SOC C-SPIRIT (Kimberly Barber): i would like to do it again, but I dont' know how I could (Donald Braun): That is super! If you all had to pick one coping mechanism that works well, which one would it be and why? (Kimberly Barber): i guess we are all capable of more than we think we are (Stephanie Smythe): some form of exercise because I can feel it getting rid of some of the tension from the stress C-EXERCISE (Kimberly Barber): talking with friends or my husband C-FAM C-SOC (Carl William Peori): yoga C-EXERCISE (Kimberly Barber): it helps me to vent C-SOC (Mindy Seto): booking travel plans and knowing I will be travelling helps C-TRAV (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I agree with Kim, talking with peers or friends who understand or are good listeners C-SOC (Rhonda Dianne Williams): setting little goal rewards helps too (Donald Braun): Excellent responses. What about not so helpful ways of coping with stress? Anyone willing to put one or two out there? (Mindy Seto): getting angry ANG

(Kimberly Barber): eating junk food! C-HEALTH (Rhonda Dianne Williams): good one Kim.... C-HEALTH (Stephanie Smythe): too much wine! C-ALC (Kimberly Barber): yes Stephanie! C-ALC (Mindy Seto): not sleeping S-SLEEP (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I have engaged in all of those! C-HEALTH (Carl William Peori): talking, (Carl William Peori): whoops (Carl William Peori): I mean, talking is good. C-SOC (Carl William Peori): sorry (Carl William Peori): haha (Donald Braun): What do you mean by that one Carl? (Carl William Peori): I find drinking doesn't help C-ALC (Donald Braun): Oh I see (Stephanie Smythe): I have to be careful sometimes that venting doesn't turn into complaining all the time C-SOC C-COMP (Carl William Peori): nor does wallowing C-COMP (Kimberly Barber): that is true C-COMP (Mindy Seto): That's right Steph C-COMP (Donald Braun): I would like to ask one more official question and then we will open it up for any last comments. (Kimberly Barber): ok (Rhonda Dianne Williams): sounds good (Mindy Seto): great (Donald Braun): How are the ways in which you cope with stress different in your season of life from other times in your life? We already have a great example of being in the season of life when families begin.

(Carl William Peori): I find I have better coping mechanisms than ever before C-COG (Kimberly Barber): I try not to lash out at others when I am stressed, as I have in the past. I am better aware of my stress and can address it on my own, without it becoming an issue in my relationships. Well, generally anyway. There are some exceptions, but I try to minimize this. C-COG ANG (Carl William Peori): I am more able to rationalize my anxiety and stress, as before that I would get too anxious and it would lead to bigger problems C-COG (Stephanie Smythe): as I go through the program, i am becoming more self aware C-COG (Donald Braun): I am hearing that as you get older, you are better able to manage stress. (Kimberly Barber): yes I think so C-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I am stressed about finding time to get everything done that I want to do S-TIME (Stephanie Smythe): yes C-COG (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I am going to be 35yrs old soon and I haven't had any children yet S-AGE (Stephanie Smythe): I am only 25 so I haven't had many 'seasons' yet (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it is hard to balance career, school and starting a family S-AGE (Mindy Seto): When my parents and grandparents were younger, I only had to deal with my stress but as family members age, I have to deal with their stress and my own stress S-AGE S-FAM (Donald Braun): Does anyone have another story about their season of life? (Rhonda Dianne Williams): on one hand I wish I started this program at a younger age but I also like how I have experience and able to relate to the material so much more C-AGE (Kimberly Barber): i find this program is less stressful than another might be, for having a young family C-FAM (Rhonda Dianne Williams): in the end things will work out but I can get overwhelmed if I look at the bigger picture for too long OVERW (Kimberly Barber): it is flexible and that helps with the stress C-FLEX (Mindy Seto): I am glad I can sit at home and attend classes. C-FLEX (Carl William Peori): I look back now, while I was in university, and I'm surprised at the workload I had then and how I didn't feel as much stress. I think I wasn't as aware of myself as I am now. So now I feel

it more and I'm aware of constraints on my time. I feel now, too, I want to do a better job with things and that adds stress too C-AGE C-COG C-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): I agree Carl C-AGE C-COG C-TIME (Kimberly Barber): yes C-AGE C-COG C-TIME (Rhonda Dianne Williams): this is now more of a career path and more important C-AGE (Donald Braun): Very interesting. I am hearing that with age comes wisdom and self awareness... (Rhonda Dianne Williams): but also urgency for me.... (Kimberly Barber): i didn't put much effort into my first degree, but now I really want to get something out of this program C-AGE (Donald Braun): does that increase your stress? (Kimberly Barber): yes I think a bit (Rhonda Dianne Williams): of course it does. (Carl William Peori): I agree (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it would be interesting if the responses would change to the questions if we were to answer during a break time or at the beginning of a class (Donald Braun): While we have been chatting I am sure that many of you were about to say something, but didn't. As we warp up our focus group, now is a good time to share those thoughts if you like. (Donald Braun): Good question Rhonda (Kimberly Barber): i think i have said all i wanted to. (Rhonda Dianne Williams): we have to be mindful of the time we are conducting this survey (Rhonda Dianne Williams): it would be interesting to complete it again at different times of the year (Donald Braun): Yes it would. (Kimberly Barber): yes it would (Rhonda Dianne Williams): people express their stress more when they are stressed (Mindy Seto): Yes (Rhonda Dianne Williams): and often in a more negative light (Donald Braun): Last thoughts from anyone?

(Rhonda Dianne Williams): anyone stressed about stress now? (Kimberly Barber): haha (Stephanie Smythe): ha ha (Donald Braun): Thank you all for being part of this focus group. Your contributions are appreciated! 2010 at 7:40 PM

CODING LEGEND STRESSORS S-FAM -family S-WORK -work S-GRAD -graduate program S-TIME -time S-HEALTH -health S-SLEEP -sleep S-$ -financial S-COG -cognitive S-MEM memory SOC -social (friends) DISORG disorgnaization S-AGE age in life cycle FEELINGS/EMOTIONS ANX -anxious/anxiety IRR -irritable FRUS -frustration OVERW - overwhelmed DEP -depressed FEAR -fear EMO -emotional ANG -anger EXC -excitement COPING STRATEGIES C-TIME -time C-COG -cognitive C-EXERCISE -exercise C-MEM -memory C-GRAD -graduate program C-SOC -social (friends) COM ? C-TRAV -travel C-COMP -complaining C-HEALTH -health C-AGE -age in life cycle (maturation) C-FLEX -flexibility

C-MUS -music C-MOV -movie C-ALC -alcohol C-SPA -spa treatments C-SPIRIT -church/religion C-FAM -family