Most academics go to one or two conferences a year.
When I was a college student & overheard faculty talking about how great the last conference was, I assumed they had hit bars, hot tubs, and sauna.
As a faculty member, I know the truth is very different - not many faculty are hitting hot tubs and sauna!
What makes conferences great is the opportunity to sit with people with shared interests, talk ideas, and be part of a community for a few days.
This is important, because even within departments based on the same discipline, it can be really lonely - esp if your topic or methods differ from the group.
So those few days of being normal & valued are precious, especially for early career faculty.
As your career unfolds, conferences become reunions among friends & means to connect academic families.
They are important.
I always experience, as a conference winds down, an emotional letdown.
As much as I am happy to go home, the transition to everyday life can be tricky- because it brings the day-to-day responsibility of raising a kid & long hours working in the office alone.
So how do I navigate the return to normal?
First, I take a day or two off.
I find conferences emotionally taxing. I love seeing all of my friends & enjoy giving talks. I love as much quiet time at home.
Time off let’s me recharge.
Second, I pause to reflect on what I enjoyed.
New friends, events, and research topics.
Absent reflection, I end up with no lessons learned.
Third, I ask what I could have done better.
Usually, I reflect on what I saw others do & what I admired about them - be it the way they presented to how they handled themselves at a social event.
Given that I’m a bit awkward, there is always something I can do better.
Fourth, I follow up.
I thank people that I met, plan projects & timeline outcomes.
Finally, I plan the next conference.
I find it comforting to know that I’ll see people the next year and it’s not without effort, as you need to think through a paper, a panel, or a workshop.
My guess is that many people don’t experience the dissonance that I do - but - perhaps these tips will help others navigate the return to normal and plan for the following year.
Best of luck.On post-conference emotional letdowns (or the return to regular life).
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