The title caught my attention: “Satirical Tweet Causes Epic #SAchat Reaction“. Who doesn’t want to check out an epic reaction? After I read the Insider Higher blog and checked out Twitter, I shared the blog post link and the following statement on our Women in Engineering Program office Slack channel:

“Students: please know that when we say we are happy for summer it’s because of the change of pace and the time to prep and plan and be fully ready to do our best with you the next academic year. Staff: we can relate to this conversation.”

It started with @HumansOfHigherEd sharing a post celebrating students not being on campus. And then twitter went crazy with people complaining, commiserating, bullying, shaming, and all the other fun things that happen on social media.

To be honest, I laughed at the post and can totally relate. I love having students on campus and there is a buzz of activity and energy…but having a change of pace in the summer is what lets me rest, relax, and re-energize so I’m ready to go at max speed August through May (with a little breather at winter break and spring break).

Does this mean I do nothing over summer? Hardly! Summer is for summer camps, analyzing impact data from the previous academic year, managing corporate and alumni relations, closing out budgets and budgeting for the new academic year, and strategizing and planning for the upcoming year. It is still super busy…but the pace is different and the focus changes.

Summer is also is for vacation. It is a time when we don’t have constant events and programs running (at work and at home). It’s a time when our 15 student organizations are on break and not in need of constant support. It’s a time when I can attack and enjoy my garden, clean out closets, cook, and read. It’s a time when I catch up…because between my work kids (students) and my own kids (2 active high school boys), there is barely time to breathe from August to May.

Here are the things I find to all be true at the same time:

• I LOVE summer! I love winter break. I love spring break. I love breaks…and summer is the best because I can take off more time than at any other point in the year and can be home with my family (and I don’t have to get dressed, look nice, pack a lunch, drive in traffic, etc.).
• I LOVE our engineering students at UT Austin (and the students, faculty and staff I get to work with and support). They make my job fun, interesting, challenging and rewarding all at the same time.
• I LOVE when our students head off after graduation, head out to new internships or study abroad experiences, or trek home for a summer. It’s a break for them too and they are usually incredibly ready to leave campus. I remember that feeling as a student of being done for the semester. Seems legit to have that same feeling as a staff member.
• I LOVE when campus is quiet. When campus is quiet, that means I probably won’t be responding to student org leader emails late at night as they urgently need assistance. I probably won’t be answering a GroupMe question after work hours with a resource for a first-year student looking for tutoring. It means that I don’t have to always be checking my emails and phone for student emergencies and needs.
• I LOVE when campus is busy. There is an energy on campus when students are gathering, meeting, studying, learning, protesting, celebrating. As an extrovert, I totally get energized by the crowds and the activity. Long days go quickly and weeks frantically race by.

There is a rhythm to the school year. Each long semester is a sprint, then a run, followed by a jog and then a walk. Winter break, spring break, and summer are the times when I catch my breath, wipe off the sweat, take a drink of water, stretch, and buy some new shoes to replace the ones I’ve worn holes through. And then it starts all over again…and I love it!