From the desk of Jessica Mize, ACE Coordinator:

It’s hard to believe that we are entering into the home stretch! This is by far one of the busiest, most exciting times of the school year. Much like the anticipation we feel entering into the holiday season, the exhilaration is mounting as we round the corner and look down the track to see summer. There can be all kinds of emotions for students during this time: fatigue, bewilderment, eagerness of the approaching summer, overload at the remaining assignments, etc. But the show must go on. There is encouragement in knowing that summer is just around the corner, but it is time to buckle down, and finish strong. Here are some tips for finishing out the race of the school year solid:

• Take a time out (but not during class)- Have you noticed that when it is crunch time in a game the coach will call a timeout? It is healthy and beneficial to take a time out for you to re-focus on your agenda, your goals, and re-group to get a handle on or draw up a plan for the rest of the school year. Find or schedule some down time for a timeout and develop a game-winning plan.
• Focus on the finish line- Olympic athletes know to look and focus on the finish line while in the race. Know what your finish line is: a certain grade, a certain GPA. Revisit the goals you may have set at the beginning of the school year, and be sure to put them out where you can see them each day- Never underestimate the power of a well-placed sticky note.
• Have a pep rally for yourself- Again, never underestimate the power of positive self-talk. If you don’t believe it, then at the very least act it. Once you act enough, you will begin to believe. Listen to songs that help pump you up! Remind yourself in the mirror each morning that there is a task at hand and to finish strong.
• Adjust your attitude- Ever notice how a nasty attitude can be contagious? Do a self-test to check the tone of your attitude. If it is anything but positive, throw your shoulders back and declare what you want. How you finish is better than how you start.
• Talk to your teachers- Schedule a meeting with your teacher(s). Ask about where you stand in their class. Reassure your teachers that you want to end the semester strong and having accomplished_____ (a certain grade or progress). Take steps to show your teachers that you are serious about finishing strong.
• Start reading, reviewing, and revisiting past tests and major assignments- Use previous tests and quizzes to review and refresh your mind on concepts from the past. This will give you an overall view of what has taken place in class thus far and will make studying for semester exams less overwhelming and stressful.
• Tag your teammate- When you get tired, tag a teammate. Find a friend or accountability partner that can provide encouragement and motivation when the going gets tough. This person can help remind you of your goals and help push you toward the finish line.
• Grab your greatness- Regardless of what has already happened, you have greatness on the inside that needs to be put forth in the world. Don’t hold back.

Here are a few quotes to help start your motivation:

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” –Napoleon Hill

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” – Ronald E. Osborn

“Hard work pays off, but some people quit working too early. Finish strong.” – Unknown author

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler

Reference

Simmons, K. (2012, May 1). “How To Finish This School Year- A Cure for ‘Schoolitis’.” You Tube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMRg0vy-lQg