The Countdown Is On!

Can you believe we’re almost halfway through April?! I feel like it was just yesterday that we were starting a brand new academic year… and now we’re just a few weeks away from graduation and summer break!


Time seems to speed up around this time of the year; when it does, it’s easy to find yourself focused on your end goal and how close it is—so easy, that we tend to forget that we should be enjoying the journey we take along the way.


So, for the remainder of this semester, I encourage you to go back to the basics and ask yourself the following:
● Who’s in your corner? The people in your network are there to listen to, advocate for, and support you — they are a resource! You don’t have to (and in some cases, simply can’t!) do it alone.
● What are your “sticking points”? Even the most proactive planners and do-ers among us have one thing in the back of our heads that just doesn’t get done. Challenge yourself to knock those little things out of the way, so you can focus on the big things to come.
● Where do you see yourself this time next year, or in 5? Envisioning the future while reflecting on the recent past helps you make sure you’re grounded, rather than getting too caught up in what’s happening right now.
● When are you taking time for you? Getting caught up in all of the things you need to do makes it easy to forget about the most important part of it -- YOU! Self-care, whether it’s taking time to step away from your screens for a walk, grabbing dinner with a friend, or just spending a few moments alone, will help keep the burnout at bay. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
● Why are you doing this? Revisiting your vision and the bigger picture of what your right-now tasks represent can solidify your drive and guide you through the busiest times. Finish the sentence “Imagine how I’ll feel when…” --- whatever comes after the “...” is your reason, and your motivation!
● How can you get help? Think back to the first question; who’s in your corner? Is there anything you’re currently dealing with that can be made easier with their support? Are there offices on campus (*cough* like us! *cough*) who can give you advice or assistance? I know I said it before, but it’s worth repeating; you don’t have to go it alone!

Good luck -- You’ve got this!

Amy Smith
Associate Director of External Relations