Spring travel season for college admission offices is upon us. In fact, Iowa ACAC Spring Fairs kick off February 24. For many admission teams, spring travel can sometimes feel like a burden or an afterthought. There is already so much on our plates: finalizing fall classes, navigating the complexities of financial aid season, and helping students and families determine their best fit. Adding hotels, miles, and long days on the road can feel like just one more thing.

Yet spring, by its very nature, invites renewal. It signals the start of something new, both for us and for the students we serve. As we emerge from Iowa’s long, bitter winters, spring offers a timely reminder of the fresh starts ahead. Some students are seniors preparing to graduate and take their next step this fall. Others are juniors just beginning to imagine their futures and explore what is possible. Both moments are filled with stress, uncertainty, and excitement. In the midst of busy travel schedules and packed calendars, it is worth remembering just how meaningful this season can be.

For admission professionals in both high schools and colleges, spring travel is more than a checklist of visits and fairs. It is an opportunity to meet students where they are, literally and figuratively. For some students, a spring visit or college fair conversation is the first time they truly see themselves as a college student. For others, it is a moment of reassurance that they are on the right path. These small interactions, often happening between bell schedules and gymnasium setups, can have a lasting impact.

In the midst of it all, I encourage us to pause. Pausing is a powerful tool. It allows us to reframe stress, gain perspective, and reconnect with our purpose. Spring is not only about completing tasks and moving on to the next thing; it is about embracing the excitement of what lies ahead. Working in this profession is a privilege. Whether you are a high school counselor guiding students through their many options, or a college admission professional helping students prepare for their next chapter, the work you do matters. Many students go on to accomplish incredible things, often because someone like you took the time to listen, encourage, and believe in them.

As you travel this spring, consider a few practical reminders to support both effectiveness and well-being:

First, be intentional with your energy. Spring travel can be a marathon, not a sprint. Build in small moments to rest, hydrate, and reset between visits. Even a few minutes of quiet reflection in the car or hotel can make a difference.

Second, focus on connection over perfection. Not every visit will go exactly as planned, and that is okay. Students remember authenticity far more than polished presentations. A genuine conversation can be far more impactful than a flawless script.

Third, reflect regularly. After a visit or fair, take a moment to note what went well and what energized you. Reflection helps us grow and keeps the work from becoming routine or transactional.

Beyond pausing, take time to practice gratitude. For the past month, I have been using the app Gratitude Plus, taking a few moments each night to reflect on what I am thankful for. Spring travel inevitably brings long days and challenging moments, but gratitude has a way of resetting our mindset. It helps us reframe difficult days and reminds us of the people, opportunities, and purpose that ground our work.

Spring is also a season that reminds us that growth is rarely easy. One quote that often comes to mind for me during spring travel comes from Ahsoka Tano: “Nothing worth doing is ever easy.” That line feels especially fitting for this season. The miles, the long days, the conversations that carry real emotional weight, they all matter because the work matters. Helping students navigate uncertainty, fear, and possibility is not easy work, but it is deeply worthwhile.

I was reminded of this a few years ago at a spring college fair. I met a local junior who had just competed at the Iowa NASP State Tournament. Her high school counselor intentionally encouraged me to connect with her, knowing she needed a confidence boost. At the time, the student was already starting to settle for a different path, not because it was what she wanted, but because she was afraid of what could be. We talked about her interests, her talents, and the opportunities that could exist if she allowed herself to imagine more. She shared her fears openly, and together we named something important: fear is normal, and it does not get to make our decisions for us.

That short conversation, in the middle of a busy spring fair, became a turning point. Today, she is a sophomore at Buena Vista University, charting the path she once only hoped for and gaining confidence each day. I often think about how small that moment felt at the time, and how big its impact became. That is the quiet power of spring travel.

Another reminder I carry with me comes from Ted Lasso, a show that captures leadership and encouragement in simple, human ways. “Believe.” It is a short word with enormous meaning. Spring travel asks us to believe in students before they fully believe in themselves, and sometimes to remind ourselves why we chose this profession in the first place.

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and possibility. As you pack your car, map your routes, and step into schools and fairs across the state, I hope you carry that sense of renewal with you. The conversations you have this spring may be brief, but their impact can last far beyond the travel season. During this busy time, may we all remember why we do this work, believe in the students we serve, and believe in the difference we are privileged to make.