The holidays are over and most high school students have returned to school with just a few weeks until the end of the semester. It’s likely your student has a lot on their plate right now – studying for final exams, finishing up summative projects, revising work to be turned in by the end of the term – they’ve got to keep their foot on the gas to finish strong. When the rush of exam week is over, students might be tempted to relax their focus at the start of the spring semester but it is important that they not lose momentum and set themselves up for success in the second half of the year.
Below are three steps students can take to make sure they start the semester on the right track.
Step 1: Backpack and binder reset.
Whether your student is changing classes or starting new units in their existing courses, now is the perfect time to conduct a backpack and binder reset or “dump”. Students should empty the contents of their backpacks and get rid of anything that is no longer needed (including those crumpled candy bar wrappers and broken pencils at the bottom of the bag). They should go through their binders or folders for each class and determine what they might need to hang on to for a year end exam (they should store these materials at home – no need to keep them accessible), what they need to keep for ongoing learning, and what they can trash. If they are starting new classes, do they need a new folder or notebook? Students should treat the shift in semesters like the start of the school year and make sure all physical materials are organized, labeled, and ready to go for the first day of classes.
Step 2: Reflect and set goals.
Taking time to reflect on the past semester and craft new goals for the spring can help students see the spring semester as a fresh start. Have your student sit down with you (or their academic coach) and talk through the following reflection questions:
- What are you proud of from last semester?
- What is one habit that you want to maintain during the new semester?
- What is one habit you want to change or build during the new semester?
- What is one thing you might need support with this semester? How can your family or coach help you succeed?
Your student can then better set meaningful and realistic goals for the rest of the school year. They might want to set grade specific goals (I will earn an A in Geometry), routine or habit related goals (I will not scroll on my phone when I get home before I complete 30 mins of homework), or even goals about engagement in class (I will ask my teacher a question in class when I am confused).
Step 3: Calendar things your student can look forward to.
The spring semester can feel like a slog. Winter seems to go on forever and the holiday break is in the review mirror. Breaking down the term by helping your student identify upcoming breaks or opportunities for a fun change in routine can be helpful in keeping them engaged and focused throughout the semester. Consider posting a family calendar (or create a shared Google Calendar) that you can direct your student to when they are stuck in the day-to-day grind. You might help your student count out the number of days until a long weekend, a trip to see Grandma, or the day they will get their driver’s permit. Students can then set shorter term goals that feel manageable to them.
