So, decision time is over. With the deadline passed for re-contracting decisions, all ALTs on the island should now know whether or not they’ll be a participant on the JET programme for the 2009-2010 stretch. In the upcoming week I’ll post an entry tailored to those who are heading home, but for now, let’s have a look at the folk who are going to be sticking around and entering the next 18 months together.

Loathe though I am to go the route of self-help haplessness, here are some tips and tricks that might keep the stress to a minimum (I promise not to mention exercise and a healthy diet, again, although you KNOW those are always very useful keys to emotional wellbeing. Sorry, stopping now.)

‘Oh crikey, I re-contracted…now what?’

Get a head start…

  • Oftentimes it isn’t a bad idea to align yourself with the start of the school year rather than being stuck in the idea of ‘your’ year beginning in August. The shift in perception allows you to be excited about the changes that are about to happen at school and your new ‘start’ happens that much sooner.

Be a goal-go-getter…

  • Thinking of April as your new start date also allows you to consider any year-long projects that you might want to begin AND to plan your social calendar as well. Sit down with either the HAJET calendar from this site or with a Japan-events schedule and search for any kind of festival or event that piques your interest. Setting new goals in terms of your work and social life can be exciting and give you something concrete to look forward to and work towards.

A few examples…

  • JLPT – sittings in both July and December this year!
  • Online qualification – great for folk who perhaps have a little more time on their hands than they would like
  • Climb Mount Rebun in the summer…or Asahidake…or Mount Yotei… or Eniwa dake… (you get the picture)
  • HEC test-prep with your students – if it’s too late this year then get planning for next!
  • A year-long curriculum guide (for the very ambitious) or at least an outline of what lessons you hope to get through in the new term – an ideas folder can actually be a very helpful thing, especially if you coordinate your ideas with the lessons in the textbook ;-).
  • Cooking creatively – set yourself a goal of trying one new recipe a week (or month) – whether it be to expand your expertise in Japanese cooking styles or to just go crazy with the abundance of foodie web blogs on the net these days.
  • FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL – July 24-26 I will try to contain my excitement for the moment and post more about it at the end of this message. http://www.smash-uk.com/frf09/index.html
  • Keep an ‘experience’ journal or blog – whether it be for the creative outlet or to share your time here with others, setting a theme to your blog can be a great way to stimulate writing/research and give you a permanent record of your time here.
  • Anything you wanted to do last year and haven’t gotten around to yet! The year is rife with possibilities – you just have to decide which ones you want to go for and hit the accelerator – you’re here, you’re re-contracted, use this time to really get your boogy on.

Need to make some changes?

  • Now is also a great time to reflect on what improvements you need to make personally and professionally in order for you to make the most out of the next year. If something is causing serious concern at work, address that NOW rather than letting it fester and continue through the next school year. All business years in Japan begin in April – if you want to effect any change, now is definitely the time to do it.
  • A hint – making demands is never going to get you anywhere, but explaining why you’re feeling the way you are, and hinting at what might be an effective way of improving the situation is probably going to win you a lot more votes for your attitude, and smooth the way for something to actually be altered.

Whether you write a list or just give yourself permission to start thinking about how to make the next year just as comfortable, engaging, and fulfilling for you as possible, it’s not so scary to look ahead and plan, and you’ll likely gain some comfort from knowing that there are events to look forward to and goals to work towards.
Happy planning!

Chelle