April is here and the end of yet another school year is quickly approaching. For many of our students and colleagues, this has been like the year that never was. From virtual classes and co-curriculars to missed holidays and little time with family and friends, our faculty, staff and students have made countless (and often unnoticed) sacrifices to ensure our collective safety and wellbeing. Through all the crises and ongoing challenges facing our communities, it can be difficult (and may even feel out of place) to celebrate in the ways we’re accustomed. In many ways though, the milestones and accomplishments of this year are all the more deserving of recognition because of the mountains our teams have climbed to get to where we are today, and they can serve as another reminder to our communities that better days are ahead.
If, like me, you’ve been struggling to find creative ways to celebrate or make space for gratitude with everything else going on, here are some things I’ve learned and ideas I’ve collected over the past year to help get you started:
Make it fun! – I’m thankful to have had so many mentors and supervisors who’ve always made having fun at work a priority, and this year especially, I’ve strived to make time for fun with my team and the students we support whenever possible. From socials with our favorite games (we love Jackbox and scribbl.io) to photo scavenger hunts around our homes or campus, and even a few small socially distant outside opportunities, any break in the virtual routine can be a great way to celebrate and can give your students and your team a much-needed chance to connect over something that isn’t work or academics.
The best part about this is that is doesn’t have to be exclusive to one group! I’ve heard from students and staff alike that one of the biggest things they’ve missed this year are those casual, fun, and often humanizing interactions they’d get to have with each other (usually at late-night programs or office parties.) If this sounds familiar, try inviting everyone (students, staff, and faculty) to participate in the same virtual gathering or activity, and don’t forget to include our new “coworkers” – like pets and family members – in on the fun!
Make it personal! – Purchasing things like gifts or certificates can be a great way to show your appreciation for others hard work and are a common way we tend to celebrate, but with current budgetary uncertainties that may not be possible for everyone this year. If you have the ability, I have found that personalized gifts, like treat bags with their favorite candy or gift cards to local coffee shops or restaurants, mean so much to students and staff and can help remind them of the campus community. If your team usually hosts a catered awards ceremony or celebratory meal, gift cards and grab-and-go items can also be a great alternative and addition to any virtual ceremonies you host this year!
One important thing to remember here is that you don’t have to spend a ton (or any!) money to express gratitude or celebrate success. Some of my favorite gifts I’ve received over the years have been handmade or second-hand! From a small paper dinosaur that sits on my desk to a book a colleague saw on their shelf and thought to pass along to me, the time, energy, and consideration that often goes into gifts like these have made myself and my team feel more appreciated and understood than any of the standard forms of recognition we typical share. So, if you’re looking for a creative solution to end-of-the-year gifts, try challenging yourself and your team to a homemade gift exchange - it’s a great way to encourage relationship building and is guaranteed to add some additional fun and laughs into your celebration!
Make it public! – Working in Higher Education is often described as a thankless job, but one of my favorite parts about this time of year is the chance we get to brag and share all of the amazing things our students and teams did throughout the year. With much of our work happening remotely, it’s become easier for our hard work, accomplishments, and achievements to be known by only a few members of our communities, and with many award ceremonies and recognition events looking quite a bit different than they have in the past, we need to be mindful of how we share these successes with a wider audience.
One of the best things to have come from our plunge into the virtual world is that it can provide a more accessible and inclusive platform for larger events, like our end-of-year celebrations. Where we would have usually been limited by space, budget, or geographic location while in-person, we can now invite hundreds of individuals from across our communities and around the world to celebrate with us! With that in mind, if you are planning virtual ceremonies or recognition events this year, even for smaller groups, consider inviting those colleagues, community partners, and family and friends that you usually would not have the opportunity to in a typical year! This can be a great way to build a larger community of support and make what could feel like “just another virtual meeting” into a special memory for your students and your team. And if hosting and event or program isn’t possible, or if you’re looking for more ways to share accomplishments throughout the year, little things like shout-outs at team meetings or sharing milestones on social media, can be amazing ways to express your gratitude and can be incredibly motivating and uplifting reminders of how far a person or team has come!
One final thought – If you’re still struggling or feeling overwhelmed, know that sometimes less means more. With burnout at an all-time high, a sincere “thank you” message or card, some help with a difficult project or task, or even a surprise afternoon off when the weather is nice can be a huge relief and are all wonderful ways to recognize the many sacrifices we have made and challenges we have overcome this year.
And don’t forget to extend that same gratitude and recognition to yourself – you deserve it!