By: Heather Shea, Director
“What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.”
~ T.S. Eliott
I’ve been thinking a lot about the process of closure or the development of meaningful activities that mark the end of an experience. I have learned that I often start experiences (new semesters, new jobs, new friendships/relationships) with a fair amount of fanfare.
Simply put, beginnings are EXCITING, filled with hope and possibility for what might be next. It’s that butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling of anticipation that something great is about to happen.
Of course, sometimes beginnings are scary and anxiety-provoking. I worry about being disappointed in myself for not making the most of an opportunity. And, I worry a lot about disappointing others. I worry about the unknowns and the “what ifs.” Sometimes this anxious feeling pushes me too far.
Regardless of the anticipation or anxiety they produce – in my experience, beginnings get all of the attention and appreciation.
And yet, as I’ve reflected on the impending end to the spring 2022 semester (and the 2021–2022 academic year), I’ve been thinking a lot about how truly uninterested I have been, in the past, in the endings of semesters and academic years. Unless there’s a significant milestone involved (graduation!) it's not often that I sit with and consider the emotions and feelings–sometimes of satisfaction for a job well done, sometimes of incomplete fulfillment–that accompanies the ending of a semester.
This year is different. Perhaps it’s because we’ve had moments of shared joy stolen from us by the multiple pandemics. We haven’t been able to gather together. Create the moments of connection that best mark endings. In fact, this might be the first “normal” spring semester ending we’ve experienced since 2019 – that’s a long time to “remember” how to make endings count.
And so, as I’ve thought about closure, reflection, and meaning-making opportunities, I think it’s best to just reflect on what has mattered most. What has held your attention? What kept you going through tough moments? Who did you reach out to and share the opportunities for connection with this year?
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ~ Brené Brown
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the connections that might be ending or reconfiguring themselves at the close of this semester. Here are a few resources I’ve come across that might be useful to you as you seem to build meaningful connections during this ending.
End-of-Year Closure Activities [for K-12]
Planning for Course Endings [higher ed]
Team Building Closing Activities [business]
Closing Ideas: Facilitation tips, tools, techniques [extension]
Finally, as we wrap up our programming and engagement this semester, we want your feedback on what went well and what you gained from our programs, activities, events, conferences, and other opportunities facilitated by Women*s Student Services this year. Please take a moment to share your feedback with us through our year-end survey!
Interested in sharing your own "Thought Of The Day" or TOTD? Email us at wss@msu.edu.
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