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We hope you have found some ways to maximize your summer by relaxing and planning for the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. When planning for the fall, it can be difficult to perfectly balance both your on- and off-campus life. Healthy IU’s take on this concept is that “work and life are in a constant ebb and flow. It is about synergy and integration, not about balance.”

Based on what worked and what didn’t quite work for you in this first year, consider the following:

Plan ahead for your family’s needs.
Coordinate school and partner vacation schedules with the IUPUI academic calendar and the most important conferences for your professional development.

Communicate with your partner, household, friends, and family about your obligations.
Many non-academics are well-meaning but don’t understand how “non-nine-to-five” a faculty position is. Talk to them about protecting time for research, teaching, and your loved ones.

The second year will still be stressful.
You knew the first year would be…brace yourself again.

It DOES get better.
Your third year is really when you hit your stride, for both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty. Fewer new course preps, glimmers of results from research, and a handle on where to find parking!

Know where to find resources.
Healthy IU has many resources (elder and adult care, mental well-being, parenting, webinars, etc.) to make balancing work and life a little more attainable.

“Take time to develop relationships on all levels. Worry about the work load later. People and relationships will get you through.” - Anonymous

Do you have faculty affairs questions? Use our new email address (ude[dot]iupui[at]rhdaca). We’re always happy to help you!

Use the Academic Affairs Events Listing to view and register for upcoming workshops, training, and important events. Our fall workshops will be posted soon!