Gareth and I are conference buddies. Seeking each other out at a student affairs conference, hearing about what each is learning in the sessions and hallways conversations, finding some time to connect around work and life things, smiling at the annual connection that feels like more. And, like many things affected by a global pandemic, our opportunity to be in-person conference buddies has been put on hold. So, it was a delight when Gareth reached out to ask about fall start-up at the University of Guelph, and asked me to share the lessons learned from last year that I was excited about carrying forward to this year.

In my work as the Manager, Student Engagement and Leadership, I’m privileged to serve alongside a team of student affairs professional and student staff who serve students from pre-arrival to graduation. This fall, as my workplace juggles a hybrid term, I’ve got five lessons I’m holding on to help keep me focused and excited.

#1 You don’t need to wait to be in-person to connect.
My household, like many during the pandemic, started doing video calls with loved ones who live far away. Why did we wait to do it this way? Gareth and I had a recent video call that felt refreshing because, while we’ve ‘seen’ each other on e-mail/chat, we haven’t ‘seen’ each other, what with conferences happening virtually.

At work, the forced shift to an online environment in March 2020 was jarring for many. It took a little while for folks to get into the swing of the tech platforms, issues around privacy in space, too much screen time, not enough bandwidth, etc. For Fall 2021, we’re now offering to connect either in-person or virtually. Why? Because sometimes students have things like class, or they are not on campus that day, or they are comfortable in their own space, or they only need 5-10 minutes to check-in on something but an in-person meeting would make that 30+ minutes of their time and an email won’t quite do, or….insert reasoning! Jumping on a call in between classes or shifts at work can make that meeting doable for them, just as meeting in person may be what works best. This fall, I’m excited to continue to try and meet students where they are at.

#2 Change is the only constant. But not everything needs to change.
I fully own my talent areas of Strategic and Adaptability. They make navigating changing situations feel natural and easy. I see multiple ways forward and can go with the flow and still feel like I’m moving in the right direction. I also know that not everyone is so comfortable in the soup of change, particularly when life outside of work may be just as upside down as life inside of work. When big things happen (hello global pandemic), it can easily feel like we must do everything differently to respond.

Change is still happening. We’re working with a student population that continues to share with us what they need, and in some ways its different from what previous students have needed. The pandemic situation is still uncertain. However, we’re also sitting on some significant experience and skill that has created excellent programs that continue to work. Change what needs to, keep what’s working.
It can be comforting to some to know that while we may change the way we get there, we are not changing the foundational what and why of our work. This fall, I’m excited to keep focused on the good, while being free to make good changes for the better.

#3 Trust is a gift worth giving and oh so nice to receive
Currently, my team and I are working in a mostly remote capacity, even though loads of students are on campus. Why? Because our office is under renovation. This means sharing some limited hoteling space for those days when things are happening that require a physical presence. The truth for me is that, after Orientation Week programming, there’s very little need for me on campus right now.

Just as I’ve trusted others to do their work from wherever it works best for them, or at different times of the day to work around life, I’m also going to trust them to find the flow of the semester. I’m going to trust them to share what the vibe and energy is like on campus so we can respond to things as needed. Basically, I’m going to trust people to do their jobs, because otherwise, why did I hire them? I’ve been gifted with trust from my director and VP to do my work, and it’s a gift to pass that along. This fall, I’m excited to trust myself, and those I work with, to get things done in the way that works best for us.

#4 It’s okay to say yes, and it’s okay to say no
I often say that my job is not a job, it’s a lifestyle and worldview. It would be easy to say yes to every new programming idea, every evening or weekend activity that needs a staff presence. It would, essentially, be very easy to burn right out before even realizing its even happening.

Often, I take joy in saying “yes, and”….but I have learned more and more as I age that the to-do list will still be there tomorrow, that most things are not an actual emergency, and saying yes to a earned day off or a vacation is an excellent way to demonstrate commitment to my work, and my team. I return with my bucket filled back up, ready to re-engage. This fall, I’m excited about some time off from work.

#5 Take advantage of the COVID linings
COVID lining. That’s the term I’ve been using to identify and hold on to those moments, activities, new programs or services that came to life during the pandemic as myself and my colleagues (dare I say it? Okay, I will) pivoted.

There were some programs the team and I had been wanting to introduce for a while, however it was very multi-partner in its delivery and some partners were committed to the status quo. The change would shift things to an on-line environment, responding to student feedback about access and internal challenges about staffing resources. But wait, students can’t get that information fully online…can they? Insert a global pandemic!

I have leaned into the opportunities that presented themselves this past year and a bit. The months ahead are likely going to give rise to more COVID linings. This fall, I’m excited to be present for those moments of opportunity and gratitude.
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These lessons are not necessarily new. In some cases, the past 18 months has simply highlighted existing truths (good and bad). We know from fairy tales that naming things can give them power. And that’s what this is…a little bit of power to these lessons. A reminder to keep focused on the foundations, try new things, hold onto the old things that still work, trust one another, and take a break. This fall, I’m excited to see through the challenges that come my way, and find the opportunities to grow, learn, and connect.