Dear Parents and Students,
If your school is like many other schools in the country, your educational journey has taken a radical detour. While the desired destination remains the same, how you are to get there may be a bit of a mystery and a challenge. Below are some tips for the journey ahead.
Tips for the Educational Traveler
- Decide Where You Are Going
What is your destination? What do you hope to gain in the weeks ahead? What are your goals? Feel free to add to the list below:
- Increased Content Knowledge
- Skill Development
- Personal Growth
- Strong Grades
- Other:
- Plan the Route – How Will You Get There
- Read all road signs (letters and correspondence from teachers)
- Use an agenda – record assignments and due dates
- Ask for directions along the way! Reach out when lost
- Allocate time during the day to work and stick to it
- Other:
- Get Started
Getting started is often the hardest part; not just getting started initially, but each and every day. It takes considerably more mental energy to begin something, than to continue working on something once you have gotten started. If you find yourself procrastinating try the following:
- Set a timer 15 minutes before you are going to begin work, and get yourself mentally prepared. When the timer goes off, just like a school bell indicating the start of class, begin your work.
- Try a task for 20 minutes. You can do most anything for 20 minutes. Once you get going, you will often build interest and momentum to keep going.
- Be sure your work area is welcoming. Having an area conducive to schoolwork, with minimal external distractions will help you along the way.
- Leave the next assignment you plan on working on, out and visible, so that when you return to work, all you have to do is sit down.
- Recognize that you are procrastinating and ask yourself, “Why?”
- Does it seem overwhelming?
- Do I not enjoy it?
- Am I afraid I won’t do well?
If any of the above are the reason, accept no excuses. Try:
- Breaking it down into smaller pieces
- Working for just 20 minutes – sometimes you will figure it out
- Asking for clarification
Use a schedule template, and plan your day.
- Once You’ve Begun the Journey, Confirm You Are on Course
How many times have you taken a wrong turn on a road trip? Taking a wrong turn is not an irreversible act, but of course, the sooner you catch it, the better off you are. The same can be said for your educational journey.
- Periodically evaluate your progress
- Identify what is going well, and keep doing it!
- Identify areas where you can improve and brainstorm a list of actions
- Periodically look at where you want to go, (check your map) and be sure you are on course
Remember, a wrong turn can be righted, just try to catch it quickly
- Set Yourself on Cruise Control and Enjoy the Journey
Once your journey is successfully underway, settle in for the ride. Think of it as a trip across the country; while it may be somewhat lengthy it will be full of interesting things to learn and do. As detours and wrong turns come up, as they are bound to do, know that you are developing what it takes to redirect yourself and get back on the right path, so that you can successfully reach your destination in June. And as you would on a long journey, be sure to stop for breaks and treats along the way! Getting there is half the fun!
Wishing you all good health and happiness,
Alice Giarrusso
Academic Coach – Bishop Brady High School, Concord, NH
thelearningcurvecoach@gmail.com