That "New Semester" Energy

A new semester always brings mixed emotions, from enthusiasm about the possibilities of new ideas, new projects, and new perspectives to deep dread about returning to the unsustainable pace and endless to-do list of this time of year.

Lately, I’ve noticed that new semesters feel particularly heavy. In my colleagues and my clients, and in myself, I'm noticing a soupy mix of anger, disillusionment, and fear, co-existing with a deep belief that what we do in higher ed matters, and, at the same time, worry that we're not doing enough, or that we're not doing the right things. If you are starting the semester upset, confused, disheartened, and maybe also hopeful, you are not alone.

One way I'm finding some optimism is matching what I'm committed to doing with the capacity I actually have. You can experiment with this idea in my workbook, “A Gentle Start to the Semester: Match Your Commitments with Your Capacity.”

Share your email address to get the fillable pdf and sign up for my email newsletter. I hope you’ll find some hope as you try out a different way of being in the first month of the semester. And let me know how it goes!