ABSTRACT
Academic advising, like other professions that involve heavy amounts of caregiving and emotional labor, is difficult. While advisors may not do the exact work that social workers, nurses, and teachers do, advising still operates as an odd amalgamation of these professions (and others). Self-care is an essential tool for advisors that helps the people be better advisors and, more importantly, healthier people. Some of the check-ins were small groups, allowing for vulnerability and real talk about the new advisors’ feelings. It turned out that having real conversations about how our similar roles impacted our well-being created a stronger sense of community. However, their plans must be supported by their work environment to be successful. Units and institutions can support their staff and students by investing in the holistic needs of their advisors, and that investment will continue to pay off.
