So, You Thought Summer Was Your "Off" Season? A Hilariously Relatable Guide to Actually Using It Well

Ah, summer. The very word conjures images of… well, it depends on who you ask, doesn't it? For those with children, it's a glorious, chaotic dance of sunscreen application, ice cream consumption, summer camp shuffles, and the eternal exclamation of "I'm hungry!" For those not coordinating activities for youngsters, it should be a blissful stretch of uninterrupted vacation vibes and finally tackling that aggressively beige wall with a vibrant splash of "Mediterranean Sunset."

And then there's higher education. For our wonderful colleagues and clients in academia, summer often signals the briefest of pauses between the academic years. It’s that tantalizing glimpse of open road before you have to slam the pedal to the metal again in August, welcoming a fresh batch of bright-eyed (and possibly lost) students.

Now, for those of us who’ve toiled in the hallowed halls of higher learning, summer often comes with a particular brand of well-meaning (but secretly grating) inquiry: "Oh, you work at the university? What are you going to do with all that time off?" Cue the internal eye-roll. Because the reality is, for most of us, summer isn't one endless hammock nap. It's more like a slightly less frantic version of the regular work week, often crammed with the very things there wasn't time for during the frantic semesters. Unless of course you work in summer programming or orientation (like I did for many years), and in that case... we see you! We know it’s go time and your pedal is fully to the metal.

(Quick academic calendar solidarity shout-out: To our friends on the quarter system or in those roles that hum along regardless of semester breaks – we see you. This might be less "aha!" and more "huh, interesting" for your context. And to those campuses already sweating through summer sessions or just exhaling after graduation while simultaneously side-eyeing fall prep – we really see you. Time is a flat circle, especially in higher ed.)

Summer in higher ed is the ultimate paradox: it's simultaneously presented as this magical stretch of rest and rejuvenation – the time to finally recharge those batteries after a year of shepherding bright minds and navigating institutional intricacies. It's the mental image of leisurely strolls across a quiet campus and the promise of finally reading that stack of books gathering dust.

But then the other shoe drops. Summer is also the designated time for EXTREME PRODUCTIVITY. It's when the strategic planning deep dives happen, the program revamps get underway, the assessment reports demand your undivided attention, and the facilities, bless their weary, student-trodden souls, finally get their much-needed rehab. It's the "if we don't do it now, it won't happen until next summer" pressure cooker.

And for anyone who's navigated a few of these summer cycles, the truth is often a comedic tragedy: summer vanishes faster than free pizza at a student event. We blink, and suddenly it's mid-August, the leaves are thinking about turning, and we're left wondering where the time went and why we didn't end up getting that project finished or going on the family beach trip.

Fear not, weary academic warriors! We at transform.forward have a few battle-tested suggestions for actually using your summer effectively.

The Great Expectation vs. Reality Showdown (and How to Win a Little):

First things first - acknowledge the inherent tension. The expectation for blissful rest versus the demand for peak productivity is real. Recognize that both are valid goals. You deserve a break, and your institution/organization likely has summer priorities. The key is to plan for both.

Here are a few pointers that will help you think ahead and plan time for realistic rest and productivity!

Vacation Coordination - Encourage your teams to actually plan time away. This might seem laughably impossible for some units, but even staggered time off requires a bit of coordination. Talk openly about vacation desires and try to find a rhythm that allows for both individual recharge and essential coverage. For some, a collective "everyone out!" week might even be surprisingly effective.

Meeting Mania Mitigation - Seriously evaluate your standing meetings. Which ones absolutely need to continue at their regular pace? Which could be paused until the regular year resumes? And which might benefit from a summer-specific shift in focus or frequency? A lack of summer calendar strategy leads to the dreaded last-minute cancellation and the soul-crushing "why are we even meeting about this in July?" vibe. Respect people's potentially more flexible summer schedules by being thoughtful and proactive about meeting invites. And let's be honest, the gift of a canceled meeting in the summer is a joy akin to finding a twenty in an old coat pocket.

Summer can be a prime time for those deep dives and overhauls, just be sure to keep it realistic.

Realistic Goal Setting - The Antidote to Summer Shame
We all know the siren song of the endless summer to-do list. The grand plans to completely rewrite every policy, revamp every program, and reorganize every office. Take a deep breath. What's realistically achievable in the time you have? Prioritize ruthlessly. Clarify what must happen versus what would be a delightful bonus. Involve your colleagues in this process to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards achievable goals. Nobody enjoys the end-of-summer slump of unmet expectations.

Injecting the "Fun" Back into Functional

Summer's looser schedule (for some, at least) offers a golden opportunity to nurture team culture and build those often-neglected cross-campus connections.

Cultivating Connections Beyond the Budget Meeting
Remember those colleagues you always meant to connect with but never had the bandwidth during the regular year? Summer could be your chance! Think about initiating division-wide committees or informal gatherings that allow people from different teams to interact. This can still contribute to broader goals while fostering a more connected and enjoyable work environment.

The July Jamboree (or Summer Series of S’more Fun)
Brainstorm some low-stakes, morale-boosting activities. Think informal lunches on the lawn, friendly office competitions (desk decorating? paper airplane contests?), a "tchotchke trade" to get rid of those leftover conference swag items, a summer wellness challenge, a staff book club, or even a volunteer service day. These are the kinds of connection points that often fall by the wayside during the academic year but can significantly boost morale and build camaraderie. If you have a committee or even just a few enthusiastic folks, empower them to "own" some summer fun!

Virtual "Summer Show & Tell"
Inspired by the classic childhood activity, invite team members to bring a virtual "item" to share that represents their summer - a photo from a recent (or planned) vacation, a screenshot of a fun summer activity they've enjoyed, a picture of their favorite summer treat, or even just a description of their ideal summer day. This allows people to share a bit of their summer experiences and connect on a more personal level, even while working remotely or in a hybrid setting.

So, as the days get longer and the campus (maybe) gets a little quieter, remember that "using your summer effectively" isn't just about checking off a massive to-do list - it's about finding a balance between the demands of your work and the need for genuine rest and connection. It's about being strategic with your time and intentional with your energy. And maybe, just maybe, squeezing in a little bit of that "Mediterranean Sunset" vibe wherever you can find it.