2020 Hindsight: The Benefit of Good Conversations

I found out today that the 329th day of 2020 is part of Better Conversation Week.  Not sure if that is because it is Thanksgiving Week and there is a stereotype of hard family conversations during a large meal.  But, on 11/24/2020, we are looking at fewer large meals in the coming days as many of us are heeding the advice of the CDC and limiting our meals to our "pods."  Or maybe this resonates with me because it is also near the end of my advising sessions for the Spring 2021 Advance Registration process.  I have had dozens of Zooms over the past two weeks and threw in, for good measure, a Student Conduct advising session tonight as well.  My 2020 Hindsight is the Benefit of Good Conversations.  It has been easy to feel drained, emotionally and physically, these days.  But, these past two weeks I have also been uplifted by speaking with the amazing students from Penn and hearing how they are coping with the strange Fall semester and planning for what is sure to be another strange Spring semester.  I feel lucky to have these interactions and, this Thanksgiving, I will be thankful for the opportunity to advise and for being uplifted by my advisees, and our good conversations.