“August is coming!” If still unconscious, this is the mantra being recited in many of our heads. Pretty soon, that will change to “August is here!” Before we know it, our student leaders and staff will be back. Our campuses will be overrun with familiar and fresh, new faces. Classes will be back in session. It will be business as usual.
For some of us, this is an exciting time. For others, it is terrifying, especially at this point in the summer. The question is: which category do you fall into? Does the upcoming opening get you worked up or make you want to crawl under your desk?
Personally, I am somewhere in between. There is a lot to do and much more that could be done between now and opening. Sadly, with the all that is on my plate, my energy will drain between now and opening. Fortunately, I have a secret weapon that always gets me back to 110%… training.
Every year when my student leaders, resident assistant staff, and graduate assistants return, I get to help teach them what they need to know. I am responsible for getting them ready and excited about our institution and for opening, even if I am only running a few breakout sessions here and there.
I think anyone would struggle to stay grumpy when there is so much raw potential and excitement around, but that isn’t what really reenergizes me. What really gets my turbines turning is the reminder of the impact I can have. I am not just teaching skill sets and perceptions; I am teaching and developing the passions of a group of people that want to change the world.
When training is over, the individuals participating will have new tools and perspectives that will provide a whole new level of confidence in their own ability to be successful. Then, I get an extra perk. I get to watch all those pupils turn around and immediately become teachers. When the rest of campus fills, those I just worked with immediately begin planning activities and programs, creating a campus culture, and identifying and developing the potential in other students.
That much raw energy is contagious. Their desire to make an impact reminds me why I chose student affairs in the first place. Their drive and energy show me that my efforts are worthwhile. Their struggles and eventual success restores my faith in the human spirit.
So even though I am currently bogged down with policy revision and campus planning, overwhelmed with planning opening activities and trainings, swamped with committee meetings that never end, etc. I can see the rainbow at the end of the tunnel. For me, just knowing that soon my world will be inundated with so much potential is enough to wake me up. Thinking about that enables me to give my best at the things I am doing now because I hope that will make their experience better.
What keeps you motivated through the summer?
This post was written by Joe Hawkins, Assistant Director of Residential and Student Life at Lincoln College-Normal in Normal, IL. You can follow him at @domebio on Twitter.
Great post! This is definitely an exciting and high-energy time in Res Life. I am motivated in the summer by being able to fully prepare for the upcoming year with all the tools and knowledge I collected during the past year. Going into my second year at my current institution, it is exciting to have a feel for what to expect during training, opening, and that academic year. I am motivated by being able to focus on relationships and educational planning, rather than just trying to “hang on”!
Comment by Lindsey Marx — July 26, 2011 @ 9:33 am |