Spring Cleaning for Academic Advisors: 12 Ways to Refresh and Refocus

Spring break isn’t just a time for students to recharge—it’s also a great opportunity for academic advisors to step back, reset, and get organized. If you find yourself with a lighter day while students are away, take advantage of the lull to “spring clean” your work life. Whether it’s tidying up your physical space, updating materials, or planning for the future, a little effort now can make the rest of the academic year smoother and more productive.

Here are 12 things you can do during spring break to refresh your advising practice:

1. Make a Plan for Final Professional Development Funds

Many institutions have a “use it or lose it” policy for professional development funds that expire at the end of the fiscal year. The fiscal year ends June 30th, but the spending deadline can be as early as May. Check your balance and explore opportunities to attend a conference, enroll in an online course, or purchase resources that will enhance your advising skills.

2. Set a Summer Goal

With the academic year winding down, now is a great time to think ahead. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the summer? Whether it’s developing a new advising resource, learning a new technology, or improving a specific skill, setting a goal now will help you hit the ground running.

3. Declutter Your Office (Or Your Virtual Space)

A tidy workspace can boost productivity and reduce stress. It can also make your office more welcoming and disarming to students. Sort through old papers, organize your desk, and get rid of items you no longer need. If you work remotely, decluttering your digital files, cleaning up your inbox, and organizing your desktop can have the same refreshing effect.

4. Update a Form or Document You Give to Students

Advisors often distribute the same forms, checklists, or handouts semester after semester. Review these materials with fresh eyes—are they still relevant? Is the language clear? Could they be more engaging, accessible, or user-friendly? Are there some new tools you could be using? Updating just one resource now can save time and frustration later.

5. Check the Links on Your Website

If you maintain an advising webpage, take a few minutes to click through and ensure all links are still active and relevant. Broken or outdated links can frustrate students and make it harder for them to access important information.

6. Review and Refresh Your Email Template

If you use templates to save time when responding to student emails, consider whether your template is still effective, accurate, and has a welcoming and approachable tone. Are there new lines you should add? Are students benefiting from the templates you use? A small tweak can improve communication and student success.

7. Send a Mid-Semester Encouragement Message to Students

Spring break can be a good time to send a brief, encouraging email to your advisees. Remind them to check in on their progress, highlight key deadlines, and let them know you’re available for support.

8. Organize Your Advising Resources

If you have a collection of handouts, reference materials, or advising guides, take time to organize them. Create a system that makes it easier to find what you need quickly, whether that’s a digital folder structure or a neatly labeled filing cabinet.

9. Coordinate with Another Department on a Cross-Departmental Initiative

Is there another department in your division that you think your office could collaborate more effectively with? Is there a silo to tear down? Reach out to another department to schedule a teambuilder with them or propose a joint brainstorming session. Building a stronger collaboration with another office will ultimately benefit your students.

10. Follow Up with “Ghost” Advisees

Every advisor has students who have gone quiet. Use this time to check in with students who haven’t responded to previous outreach or haven’t scheduled an advising appointment recently.

11. Refresh Your LinkedIn Presence

Take a few minutes to update your LinkedIn profile with any new accomplishments, certifications, or projects. Connect with colleagues, join advising-related groups, and follow professional organizations to stay informed about trends in academic advising. Engaging with your network now can open doors to future opportunities and collaborations!

12. Take a Break and Recharge

Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself! Spring break is a great time to step away from work, take a deep breath, and recharge. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or spending time with family, a little self-care now will help you finish the semester strong.  [Additional Reading: Academic Advisors' Mental Health is a Critical Issue]

Final Thoughts

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about making space for growth and improvement. By tackling just a few of these tasks, you’ll set yourself up for a more organized, productive, and rewarding end to the academic year.

Which of these will you try first?