Relax, Reskill, and Recharge This Summer

In this summer episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Becky Achen and Katie discuss practical ways faculty can use the summer to rejuvenate while still setting themselves up for a manageable fall. They talk about the realities of 9-, 10-, and 12-month contracts, the lack of PTO for many faculty, and why it can be appropriate to truly step away from email and teaching tasks when classes slow down. They emphasize balancing self-care with research and service expectations by clarifying departmental norms, setting realistic and concrete research goals, and planning ahead for course prep that may change year to year. They also suggest summer professional development (like AI courses), reading a teaching-related “pool book,” exploring campus resources, spending time outdoors, and building habits that reduce stress and burnout once the semester begins.