So it’s coming to that point of the year again…after all the stress of the spring semester classes and finals are over. My Res-Life Staff is leaving me! How can I possibly say goodbye to six unique individuals who have been a big part of my life as a first time res-life supervisor?
Well, I can say goodbye by realizing that I do not actually have followed everything on the checklist that normally describes how people handle goodbyes.
So…
— I do not have to stop checking up on how these six individuals are growing.
— I do not have to stop asking how these individuals’ new college experiences are going.
— I do not have to stop having these individuals’ best interests at heart.
While goodbyes are not fun, too often, people get into the mindset that once another person is no longer a part of the community where they met, they cannot talk to that individual. Why???
Keeping communication is especially important when:
— You have a mentor-like relationship with one of these community members;
— You have found a system of support in these other community members;
— You have similar goals to these community members.
So do goodbyes really have to mean cutting all communication? No!
Pick up your phone, send a quick e-mail, write a letter, and keep that relationship with a past community member alive!
