Fall and Letting Go

Fall is a wonderful time of year for so many reasons – cooler weather, college football, new school years and holidays with friends and family. I am lucky enough to live in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we have some of the most magnificent fall foliage. It’s a reminder to me, every time I drive home, how lucky I am to live in a world where things are always changing.

I read a quote the other day that said, “the trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go,” and I immediately thought about my career in student affairs and how difficult I find it to let go of projects, programs and commitments, even when they are no longer serving me or my students in the way they need to.

Despite the fact that letting go can be so incredibly marvelous, I still sometimes find it hard. My question for you, student affairs friends, is this: what are you choosing to let go of in this busy season?

  Kristin Sowden serves as an Academic Advisor at James Madison University in the Integrated Science and Technology department, specifically with the Intelligence Analysis and Geographic Science programs. Previously, Kristin worked in the office of Career and Academic Planning, where she served as both an academic advisor to undeclared first year students and a career services liaison to Technology and Engineering. Before coming to Virginia, Kristin attended the College of New Jersey, where she earned a degree in English and Secondary Education.  She now holds her Masters in College Student Personnel Administration from JMU, and is pursuing her PhD at JMU. Kristin also teaches with the Graduate Psychology department, and works with the Duke University Talent Identification Program on psychology curriculum development and education. Her professional interests are in the first generation college student experience, female professional identity development, faculty development, and qualitative inquiry. She also loves couponing.