FAFSA Focus!

I'm glad that February is coming to a close! This whole month of February has been focused on helping students and families file their FAFSA. I'm exhausted from the FAFSA! I've volunteered at College Goal Sunday. I helped at Portland High School's FAFSA workshop. I helped the Admissions department on President's Day with 3 FAFSA Workshops in one morning. Along with my co-worker, Sarah, we hosted 4 different FAFSA Workshops on campus. And, of course, multiple appointments of students and families meeting with me one-on-one to file their FAFSA. And tons of phone calls answering FAFSA questions.

I think my exhaustion comes more from the extra talking than it does the extra hours I've worked. I was not blessed with the "gift of gab." I don't fit the stereotype of a woman who can't shut up. In every marriage seminar/class that I've ever attended, the speaker cites the statistic that on average, a woman speaks 20,000 words a day while a man only speaks 13,000. I've never actually counted my words, but I'm guessing that my capacity is closer to the man's average of 13,000. I can tell when I've had a lot of appointments during a workday. By the end of the day, I realize that I'm exhausted from talking. I often comment, "I've talked way too much today!"

I remember as a Junior in High School that our Guidance Counselor gave us a career aptitude test. I found out that my perfect job was to be in a room by myself all day -- not needing to interact with others. So what do I do for a living? I'm a financial aid officer who interacts daily with my coworkers, students, parents, and other employees.

On the days of helping file FAFSAs, I'm constantly interacting with dozens of people in a fairly intense environment. At times, I'm going right from one family to another to another as they ask questions and seek my expertise. Being in this type of situation for six events has worn me down. (The only relaxed event was at Portland High School.) I'm so ready for a day  of quiet at work-- no phones, no appointments, no walk-ins, no talking -- just being able to focus on the paperwork on my desk!!

My perfect job has changed over the years. I do enjoy interacting with others. I would go stir crazy in a room by myself ALL the time. In fact, some of my favorite workdays are the days in which I've interacted with our students and their families. I love the days that the mom cries tears of joy because we've found a way for her son or daughter to financially afford to attend Olivet College. I'm a hero to them just by doing my job -- finding financial aid solutions for their student.

My job is very cyclical. I know that in a few days, the office will get quiet again. The mad dash to file the FAFSA by March 1st will be over. My exhaustion will be cured -- the days will be better. And, as a bonus, Spring Break is just a little over a week away -- five glorious days out of the office!

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