"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."

Quote from Henry James, a 19th century American-turned-British author who I would say is probably most well known for The Portrait of a Lady, but he also wrote The American and The Europeans which might be of equal familiarity. Regardless as to how you know him, no one can deny that he definitely knew what he was talking about with summer.



Oh the lazy days of summer. I have rediscovered the joy of never setting an alarm, laying on the couch all day long, and feeling like I have the power to do anything I want. It's amazing.....mostly.

You might ask why, after so many posts over the year of looking forward to a summer off and free from responsibility I have suddenly declared that it's not completely satisfying. Well folks, I'm bored. It's only been 2 weeks, but I'm already bored with doing nothing. Now, I realize that I'm blessed with a life right now that most people would be dying to live, but my always-busy-go-go-go lifestyle has taken over and I seem to forget how to really enjoy being stagnant. Some days I am content to do nothing and other days I feel like if I don't have some sort of a project to work on I might just lose my mind. Truth be told, I haven't been bored enough to go into my office and work on things for next year, but I've thought about it and the idea gets more tantalizing with each hour that passes.

I won't be doomed to a summer of sitting in my apartment day in and day out with nothing going on. Most of my summer will actually be spent jet-setting from one place to another, it's just getting through this first part that's turned out to be....well, a bitch. I have even contemplated going on a random roadtrip to a state I've never been before because #1, I've never been and it's closer to me now than it was before, making it a much more realistic possibility; #2, I enjoy random roadtrips and I actually enjoy being alone so doing it by myself doesn't bother me; #3, I can be pretty random about life and this just seems to fit with me perfectly. The things that stop me include the fact that gas is ridiculously expensive, the weather is making me sluggish, and I can only imagine what people would say if they knew that I preferred to do this alone rather than trying to convince people to go with me.

Instead (at least for the time being) I will sit and daydream about what the rest of my summer will look like. I'm cramming in a whole lot of fun in a small amount of time, and I've been presented with the possibility of including even MORE fun in my summer - I've been invited to visit a friend whom I haven't seen in many years, a friend who lives in an incredibly fun place I've never been. The responsible side of me tells me to not try and push my luck with more trips and entertainment, but the reckless kid inside says that I'm an idiot to pass this up. I'll let the mental battle continue while I lay on the couch eating bon-bons and thinking fondly of all of you out there who still sit in your offices, hard at work :)

The Beginning of the End, Part Two

It's officially all done - I've completed my first year as a new professional. All of the students are gone, my paperwork is complete, and there's an overwhelming calming feeling that's come over me. As I walk the halls and look at the plain doors I think about the students that used to live there, and how next year will bring a brand new crew into the building. As much as I complained at times about the noise and the immaturity, they were a good group. We survived without any major issues (to my utter delight, although this convinces me that next year will be horrid), my staff all bonded and became friends with one another (no mutiny occurred!), and I learned an entire new University system in a whole new place.

Through the year I've learned a few pearls of wisdom that should be passed along to those of you who have just completed your degrees and are anxious to get started with a new job:
- Change can be incredibly difficult to handle, but try to remain open minded and you'll be surprised at who you'll meet and what you'll learn.
- Students will constantly try and test you, especially when they think that you're ALSO a student and will therefore let them do what they want.
- Being a new supervisor is a HUGE challenge. Realize that with supervision comes delegation - you no longer have to do everything yourself. Trust in your staff and you will learn right along with them. Be prepared to work with a staff that might be completely different from who you are. Inheriting a staff means that someone who was quite possibly VERY different from you made the hiring decisions. Some staff members will challenge you because they want to show the new guy or girl everything they know, others will just want to show off their leadership abilities and not really know how. Accept this advice/guidance with a grain of salt and know that ultimately what YOU decide is what matters - you are still their boss in the end.
- Maintaining work/life balance is much easier when you don't have school thrown in there as well. Also helpful is having colleagues who are willing to put you in check when necessary. You will lose your mind if you don't take some time for yourself.
- On that same note, try and make friends with coworkers - especially those that have been there for a year or more. They will help show you the ropes of work and also know all the best student-free spots to frequent in town.
- Become involved in your department. Show that you can be a leader in whatever way you can. Form relationships with your superiors that will help you grow as a professional and develop new mentors.
- Try and get to know the graduate students in your department and help them when you can. Realize that there may be a difference between your program and theirs, but in the end you will both be in student affairs and are doing the same job.
- Never underestimate the power of swearing in front of students. It sounds ridiculous, but by showing that you're a "real" person students will actually start to respect you a bit more. Being able to throw around "asshole" and "shit" can give you some street cred that you'll gain no other way.

In the next few months I plan on worrying about no one but myself (a feeling that's escaped me since AUGUST) and loosening the connection that I have with my cell phone (I actually have the ability to turn my phone off now, or leaving it on silent ALL DAY). I want to enjoy a student-free town, take some random vacation trips, and return ready to have a fantastic year and feel energized.

I keep thinking back over the year and trying to identify what I learned about being a professional that was surprising to me, but I can't really think of anything. Maybe it's because I came from a very hands-on, practical based grad program (in contrast from the many theory-based programs that exist) and my careful observation of those that I worked for/with during my time as a student, but I didn't find it very difficult to try and get used to being a full-time employee; work just replaced the time that I had been spending being a student. In some ways it was EASIER than grad life, if only because I had my weekends free and didn't have to worry about juggling my assistantship, class, a second job, and my personal life. The hardest thing for me to get used to was being in residence life again. I still haven't decided if this is the aspect of student affairs that I should make my career in, but I know that I have the personality for it and the dedication.

The rejuventation process of the summer has already started. I find myself going out more, watching tv a whole lot more, and actually paying attention the cleanliness (or lack of it) in my apartment. I'll say goodbye to friends, start making new ones, and prepare for year number two. With any luck by the time training starts again I will have found my new place within the department, and a new motivation to work in student affairs.

The Beginning of the End, Part One

Silence.

I sit on my couch and there is overall silence in the building. Stage One of move-out is complete, and tomorrow the remaining folks will pack up and head out. I've taken the "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here" approach this whole week. I've done quiet rejoicing as students left, in my head I've jumped up and down as keys were returned.....and now that I'm here I'm not quite sure how I feel.

I walked through the building today and saw so many empty rooms. The hallways are still, with only the tiny noises of movement from random residents breaking through. I am thankful for an end to the year and to the worry, but with all of that comes the sadness to say goodbye.

My staff ambushed me with a card and gift yesterday, prompting me to immediately start to cry, the first time they've seen that happen. Then as they've left, I've cried again - sometimes full out crying as I hug them, sometimes just tearing up, sometimes waiting until they go to really let it all come out. My very first staff for my very first year as a professional, and now it's all over.

I am anxious to finish my paperwork and get my summer underway.....anxious to shut the cover on this year and know that I made it. But with this excitement comes that constant tug of melancholy, knowing that it won't ever be the same.