As a lifelong educator, what I like most about this time of year is the energy and enthusiasm that comes with the new year, and a new semester. No matter what happened before now, this is a fresh start. There is a certain expectation, a profound hope that all things are possible.
That’s true for those of you among our 100,000 students returning to campus after a much-needed winter break. It’s also true for those of you among our dedicated faculty and staff, who have been working hard to gear up for the first week of classes.
As we all march forward into this semester, there will undoubtedly be moments that will test our patience—that will try to chip away at the hope and optimism we feel today. Whether you’re facing a seemingly impossible deadline, navigating a difficult relationship, or struggling to complete a challenging task, your best bet is to breathe and reflect on the sense of possibility.
In those trying times, remember how far you’ve already come. Stay focused, press on, and consider the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you cross the finish line at the end of the semester.
Let’s go in 2018!
