Spring is finally upon us! As the weather becomes warmer and sunnier, children and adults alike will start to shift their focus towards a well-deserved summer vacation.
But summer is not yet here.
And there are final assignments and exams to be completed.
And…in Quebec, those assignments and exams are part of a third and final term that is worth the most towards the final grade.
Given the temptation to slip into vacation mode, but the need to keep up the effort level, how can we keep kids focused on their goals?
- Use a calendar: Using a calendar to cross out the days and countdown to the end can make the overall task seem less daunting. Marking big dates on the calendar, such as assignments or exams can also keep kids and teens alert and aware of what is ahead.
- Make short-term goals: If you’re keeping up with our posts, you’ll know that we greatly value goal-setting as a teaching tool. If you helped your student or child to set goals at the beginning of the year or semester, go back and review them so that they can remember what they wanted to achieve.If you hadn’t set any goals, it is not too late to start. The goals can be focused on process or on outcome, but either way, it will improve focus. For example,
- Make a plan: By planning out the work, the tasks become more defined. For example, instead of saying “You need to study for your math test”, break the task down into a manageable and defined plan. Instead, let’s say “You need to create your memory aid, correct your mistakes from your previous tests, and complete the practice questions from the study guide”. It might sound like more, but the task becomes defined and it can be broken up into smaller more manageable parts that can help to keep kids focused on their work.
As a last piece of advice, stay solution focused. The academic year is long and youth, parents, and teachers all deserve a break. It’s normal to lose a bit of steam near the end. If fatigue becomes a problem, integrating breaks into the study plans might make the whole process more manageable. If the plan hits some bumps or if you find your child’s motivation is still low, get them involved in the problem-solving process. Making them part of the solution can avoid arguments and empower them to develop more autonomy.
For more discussion of this topic and for resources, check out the following links:
https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/how-finish-school-year-strong
Healthy Learning MTL 