Balancing Mentoring and Self-Care in Neurodiverse Universities
In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian delve into the complexities of mentoring in neurodiverse university environments, focusing on the importance of taking breaks and self-care. They discuss the critical need for downtime and the challenges students face, particularly around high-stress periods like mid-November. They share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for managing burnout, guilt, and establishing routines. The conversation touches on the significance of coping strategies, sensory diets, and the nuanced differences between downtime and decompression. The hosts also explore how past experiences and foundational childhood traumas influence adult neurodivergent behaviors, masking, and the mentor-mentee relationship, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and personal ethics in effective mentoring.
00:00 Welcome to Neuromentoring
00:28 The Importance of Breaks
01:11 Academic Pressures and Jargon
04:11 Guilt and Rest
08:20 Burnout and Sleep
10:48 Learning and Downtime
15:10 Coping Strategies and Masking
23:31 Transitioning to University Life
35:46 Reflecting on Mentoring
38:23 Surprise Mentoring and Conclusion
