Take Time for Reflection

Summer is a moment to breathe, take stock, and make choices about how to enter the time away while reflecting on the past school year. Read more about getting the most out of your summer break in this message from Head of School Lori Strauss.

As is the tradition at graduation, every graduate writes a speech even if they choose not to deliver it on that day. This practice echoes our vision for teaching and learning which centers reflective practice as essential to internalizing a Field education. One student who did not speak on Sunday wrote:

"On my first day at Field, I stepped tentatively into what is now called the middle school quad. I had no idea what to expect—but I sure didn't expect this. I didn't expect to find a community that would challenge me, shape me, and inspire me as Field has. Over the years, I've grown—not just taller—but into someone who's found passions, friendships, and a sense of purpose." ~Henry Wright '25, Hamilton College

Each of us, students and teachers alike, begins the school year with expectations and hopes. We end the year with an opportunity to look back, reveling in our successes and unpacking our challenges. As this senior notes, it is the unexpected moments, the unanticipated struggles, and the surprising ways we change that catch us off guard.

The end of the school year provides a break from our studies and social life on campus. It is a moment to breathe, take stock, and make choices about how to enter the summer while reflecting on the past school year.

Is there a friend you wish you had stayed connected to, but something got in the way? How can you find your way back to that friendship this summer? Perhaps you send a text inviting them to hang out. If you aren't ready for that, maybe you can apologize for not being a better friend and simply say you would like to try again next year.

Is there a book you skimmed for class without really reading deeply that piqued your interest enough to revisit? If the book didn't capture your attention, but you know the author is worth reading, perhaps you pick up another book by that same author. If you aren't ready for that, maybe you look for a documentary or movie on a similar topic to understand this time period or slice of the human experience.

Perhaps you picked up a new interest in class, during Intersession, or in a club. What can you do this summer to expand that interest through deep dives on YouTube, contacting an expert in the field for a Zoom interview, or spending a few hours tinkering and practicing a new skill? If you aren't ready for that, maybe you seek out a summer job or internship that provides a new and different experience in your area of interest.

I look forward to hearing about your summer "break" and all the ways you grew when you return in September.

Warmly, 

Lori Strauss

Head of School