In conversations at our last Denison Teaching Seminar, I would casually ask, “Any interesting summer plans?” After about three of these queires, I had to pivot to, “Any non-work-related interesting summer plans?” You see, my original intent was to see what travel plans or other fun activities my junior colleagues were planning. Instead, like many of us, they reverted to the guilt-ridden ‘this has to be a productive summer or else’ mode.
While I understand the urgency felt by my tenure-seeking colleagues, I want to emphasize the importance of taking time to relax and recharge with friends, family, or alone. It’s not just okay but vital to celebrate and enjoy some well-deserved time off.
Interestingly, just today, the Chronicle published Noah Shusterman’s article, “Planning a Productive Summer.” I’ve chosen not to include the link because, while it offers excellent advice on organizing a productive summer, it also carries the guilt-ridden tone I noticed in our discussions. It’s only in the final paragraph that taking a vacation is mentioned.
I encourage you to invert that approach: start by scheduling your downtime. Secure those plans, giving yourself something to look forward to, and then organize the rest of your summer activities around them. This way, you ensure a balanced summer that nurtures both your personal and professional growth.