There’s always a moment somewhere between the last day of Spring Break and that first Monday morning alarm when optimism quietly gives way to reality.
The break itself was restful. It was needed. It was a chance to unplug just enough to remember what it feels like to think without a calendar driving every minute. I stepped away fully intending to come back refreshed, focused, and ready to take on the second half of the semester.
Then Monday showed up.
Last week was one of those where everything converges.
The Myth of the “Light Catch-Up Day”
We all tell ourselves the same thing. “I’ll ease back in. Clear some emails. Check on a few projects. Get organized.”
What actually happens feels very different.
You open your inbox and realize conversations kept moving. Decisions were made or delayed. Threads picked up momentum without you. By mid-morning, the calendar is already full, and the idea of a “light catch-up day” is gone.
What looked like a slow re-entry quickly turns into trying to regain your footing while everything is already in motion.
The Conference Isn’t Really Over
On top of the usual return-to-work rhythm, last week included wrapping up the 2026 Instructional Technology Council annual eLearning Conference.
Anyone who has worked on a large event knows this part well. The conference may be over, but the work continues.
There are vendor follow-ups, final logistics to close out, documentation to complete, and time needed to reflect on what worked and what needs to improve. That reflection matters. It shapes how we better support faculty and students moving forward.
It also demands attention during a week that is already stretched thin.
Everything Else Still Moves Forward
At the same time, the regular work does not pause.
Even the things that did not feel urgent before the break suddenly feel like they need immediate attention. Projects resume, decisions need to be made, and processes already in motion continue forward. That includes ongoing hiring efforts that require coordination, communication, and thoughtful follow-through .
Nothing really stops while we are away. It just compresses.
What This Work Really Looks Like
Weeks like this are a good reminder of what leadership in academic technology actually looks like day to day.
It is not just about tools or systems. It is about people, coordination, and constantly balancing priorities. It is about supporting faculty, helping students succeed, managing teams, and keeping multiple efforts moving forward at the same time.
The work stretches across events, planning, and daily operations, all grounded in creating meaningful and accessible learning experiences.
And sometimes, it all shows up at once.
Making Sense of the Chaos
In the middle of it all, it helps to step back and connect the dots.
- The conference reflects my values.
- The ongoing work keeps everything moving forward.
- The smaller tasks stack up faster than expected.
It is all connected. That does not make the week less busy, but it does make it feel purposeful.
Final Thought
Coming back from Spring Break (or any break, really) is rarely smooth. It is a mix of rest and reality, good intentions and immediate demands.
But it is also a reset point.
A chance to reconnect with the work, refocus priorities, and move forward with intention, even when everything arrives at once.
Because sometimes the first week back is not about easing in.
It is about remembering just how much the work depends on you showing up.