Hello everyone,

I hope you are all having an excellent start to summer. Some of you, like me, are beginning summer school, while others have decided to take a break to work more, rest, or spend time with loved ones. Regardless of your summer plans, I hope you find a little time for yourself. During the semester, it's easy to lose perspective on why we do what we do. Here are a few suggestions to help you regain that perspective as we head into the fall:

1. REST. Make time for yourself. I know this can be difficult, especially for those with small children. Do your best to embrace the small moments you can steal for yourself. Recharge in whatever way works best for you. Personally, I have a couple of concert dates with my kids and a short trip planned after the summer semester. Take time to catch your breath.

 2. DREAM: One of my favorite quotes comes at the end of a Mary Oliver poem: “Tell me, what is your plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Focus on this question and dream. What do you want out of life in the next 5, 10, or 30 years? What do you imagine your life to be like then? Get a clear vision of that future and make small, daily steps in that direction. Identify obstacles and sources of support along the way. From your dreams, create checkpoints to guide your progress.

3. EXAMINE: Honestly evaluate your current progress towards your dreams. What has been working? What needs improvement? What small changes can you make in the next few months to get closer to your dream? Avoid being overly critical of yourself. The goal is not to dwell on mistakes but to celebrate successes and focus on one or two areas for improvement. Set small, achievable goals that move you in the right direction without being intimidating. Small changes over time make a significant difference.

4. ADJUST: Consider what you can do to best support yourself in achieving your goals. How can you set yourself up for success? As a faculty advisor, my goal is to help you achieve your dreams. I understand that this is not easy and often doesn't come naturally. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to support you. These cheerleaders will help raise your spirits and push you along the way. If you don't already, I hope you will eventually consider me one of those people.

Enjoy your summer, however you are spending it. I'll be here, cheering you on from the sidelines.