Principal's Pride Page
Keeping you Informed
"Time keeps on ticking..."
Hello All,
This week, I 'd like to focus on a tendency that begins to creep in with many students at this time of year. As the responsibilities and tasks between now and the December holiday break pile up, many students turn to their reliable friend in avoidance: procrastination.
Procrastination is based on the notion that whatever needs to get done can be accomplished later. Every student has a set of goals they want to accomplish by the end of the school year, whether it is to excel academically, athletically, or socially. Often, as tasks and responsibilities pile up on one another, students will feel overwhelmed by the time commitment many of these things require. Interestingly enough, according to research the biggest issue is not a lack of time, but in the way students conceptualize time. A common thought is I'll get it done later, but students have not created a specific idea for exactly when later will be.
So what can be done? According to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, there are some scientifically based strategies we can use to increase our motivation and start working towards our goals:
1. Break goals into manageable chunks
It's easy to put things off if you're always thinking about the big-picture plan (I want to pass the school year). Though it is important to keep your eye on the ultimate goal, the realization of that goal becomes easier when you separate your goals into smaller, more manageable objectives (I want to pass my next math quiz). According to musician and entrepreneur Pitbull, the Spanish proverb for this idea is pasos cortos, vista larga (short steps, long vision).
2. Establish "now" deadlines
In the above example, we use a situation (I want to pass the school year) where the goal takes a long time to realize. Even if your ultimate goal is a long-term situation, you are more likely to take action if you have time limits in the present. The aforementioned study suggests creating target dates to reach your objective. For many students, even parsing the year into five-week chunks of progress reports and marking periods is too abstract of an idea. Instead, find something that can be done this week.
For example, if a student is having trouble completing homework, the common and misguided response is the generic I'll try harder, but what exactly does that mean? If a student is thinking abstractly about time, they will have the weight of every single homework assignment for the rest of the year on them. They will be quick to try...and as quick to quit. Instead of this, break the task into a more manageable time frame (I will try harder by completing my weekly homework by Thursday night).
So take this time between now and the December break to help your student identify a goal and look for ways to view the goal in terms of the present. You will help the student increase the likelihood that they turn the goal into a reality.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the success of our school.
Mark Your Calendars
- 12/5: Madrigal Concert, 7 pm, HS Auditorium
Contact Information
Email: Samuel.Martina@redjacket.org
Website: www.redjacket.org
Location: 1506 State Route 21, Shortsville, NY, United States
Phone: (585) 289-3966
Twitter: @RJHSPrincipal