Ever since I can remember, I have considered the start of the year to be September 1, not January 1. Why? Well, I’ve never really felt like the cold, dark first day of January brings a whole lot of change to my schedule and life. But, September 1, always has. It brings a change in season, a change in schedule, and a change in expectations. I usually feel a bit anxious with anticipation during August but not in December.
So this August, I have met with many of my students, who also, have expressed a bit of angst with anticipation of the new school year starting soon. My rising seniors are in a bit of shock that it’s ‘go time’ with college applications, my rising juniors can’t believe they are no longer underclassmen and feel a bit anxious about having to start thinking about standardized tests and visiting college campuses and earning their driver’s license and my rising freshmen and sophomores are developing their time management with social, academic, and out of the classroom commitments (sports, work etc.)
All high school students are trying to figure themselves out, the world and how to navigate their future plans.
Here are just a few simple thoughts on how to start off this new school year for both students and parents.
1. Goals
I have been asking my students to create 2 or 3 personal goals for the school year. Nothing elaborate. Make it simple, for example, a goal to communicate more with teachers. When you do not understand a concept or you missed a class, it’s a must to take the time to see the teacher after school to communicate your needs in order to ensure that you understand what’s expected of you.
This is a very challenging task for many students. Not only does this take more effort and motivation but high school students need to develop the skill to advocate for themselves. This helps to develop self-confidence and verbal and written communication skills needed for personal and professional life.
2. Self-reflect
Once a month, pause and review how you are doing. Is your time being managed well? How are your grades? Are you getting enough sleep? Too much screen time? We are all ‘works in progress’ thus reflecting allows us to modify any needed behaviors to help us reach the goals we are trying to focus on.
Self-reflection can be uncomfortable for many. Having to analyze and think about how and why things are not going as well as we hoped forces us to critique one-self.
But this is the first step to owning our behavior and actions in life. The more we feel comfortable with self-reflection, the better we will be at reaching goals and feeling responsible for our own actions.
3. Sense of humor
This has helped many persevere through tough times. Finding the humor in situations helps us to take ourselves less seriously and to not be too self-critical. Give yourself a break!
To laugh at oneself is both wit and wisdom- Walt Whitman
Happy New (School) Year to you all!