It’s the end of the school year. Students, teachers, even the curricula are exhausted. Everyone is ready for summer. Here are seven tips for making the most of the last days of school year.
Don’t slack off. This is tough, we know, with the weather warming up and so many people around you taking it easy. But what people will remember about you – and what you will remember about this year – will be based heavily on how you finish. It will be easier for you to keep up your energy level if you maintain your normal routine. Try to eat, sleep and wake up at accustomed times, and continue with normal work patterns and errands.
Take advantage of optional activities. Some teachers will be offering optional field trips, hands-on projects or mini-independent studies. Some might even offer the opportunity for students to teach a lesson to the class on a topic of particular personal interest. These opportunities might be ungraded or for extra credit. But even if you don’t need the extra credit, you should take advantage of the offer. With so much of the learning we do regimented by standards and tests, any opportunity to pursue an individual passion is a gift. Take it.
Nurture relationships. Now that the pressure of exams is over, take some time to interact with your favorite teachers. If you’re not yet done with high school, you may need them in the future for college recommendations. If you’re a graduating senior, you may need them for summer job or internship references. It’s not sucking up. It’s called networking, and you will need to know how to do it if you want to succeed in life.
Make a brag sheet of accomplishments and goals you attained over the year. Take some time to reflect on what you did all year and make a list of the high points. You will need this list when it comes time to apply for colleges or internships. And at that point you’ll be under pressure and you’ll probably forget some of the important points.
Make a long-term plan. Since you’re already reflecting on the recent past, this is also an optimal time to think about your future. Have your goals changed over the course of the past year? If so, what choices do you need to make to accommodate your new goals?
Say thank you. This may be the most underrated piece of advice anyone ever gave. And it may be the easy piece of advice to follow. Whether you write it or say it, take the time to do it. It does make a difference.
Finish strong. Treat school like a job, because it is. Finish the school year the same way you would finish an internship or a job: with energy, a spirit of curiosity and an eye on the future.
background-image: a building with the American flag in front of it