30th
April is the cruelest month
Anyone in Student Activities knows that April is hectic, and even though it ends today…May doesn’t look much lighter right now! The frenzy among students to meet deadlines and finish up the year definitely affects any student activities office staff….I know it has hit me and my staff hard.
We have begun our Orientation season very successfully yet struggle to juggle Orientation, the Spartan Leaders class schedule and just getting in the groove of welcoming our fall class. What’s more dizzying is the race and rush to accomplish everything that needs to be completed in a few weeks! Officer transitions among clubs, budget reconciliation, scholarship applications, decisions about summer school, etc. But in the midst of all this is extreme celebration with new officers being elected, awards ceremonies, graduations, and summer plans to make.
I can feel the charge in the office and the rush of a variety of emotions…and the best way I can meander through the muck is to remind myself to be present in mind, body and spirit for our students right now when they need us most. While I am dealing with similar administrative woes, I am taking the time to celebrate with the students, help them with their recommendation letters, encourage them to make wise decisions and just to spend time reflecting with those who are graduating. They are truly ecstatic but also sad. ECC has been home for two years and now there is a scary transition ahead. Therefore, I am encouraging students to reminisce about their best memories and help them embrace the many changes that lie ahead. While it’s a crazy time - it also reminds me why I do what I do and how much I love working with college students!
