Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Year 12 students at a morning assembly. Term 2 is a busy term for everyone, but particularly our Year 12s. Therefore, it was important for us to gather to identify the distanced travelled so far in Units 3 and 4 at VCE, as well as what is coming this term.
A message that we in the Pathways team wished to convey was the importance of the three Ps in managing the time ahead. The three Ps are not just for Year 12, but they can be applied at any year level. The three Ps are Plan, Progress (not perfection), and to be Proactive.
Plan – taking time to outline when assessments or exams are, and when other life events are scheduled, is an important component of gaining some control over the busyness of the term. Having this on a calendar, stuck to the fridge or above a desk, helps to provide the perspective of what is happening and when. Working backwards from the events, from the deadlines, will help identify when things need to be done, and what the small goals along the way will be and when these will occur. Having a plan, that becomes a routine, helps to alleviate stress levels that can rise quite quickly when there is little planning.
Progress (not perfection) – sometimes we can allow an idealised version of the future, of perfection, to hold us back from making a start. It may be that we have a plan, but we can’t see it suddenly transforming our understanding and so we let it slide. Each day or week we should look for the progress we are making, and name the progress. What is the skill or knowledge I have been able to demonstrate today that indicates I have made some progress? What do I wish to make progress in this week when it comes to my use of quotes, for example? Completing homework, contributing to class discussions and undertaking active revision are all activities that enable us to make progress.
Proactive – being proactive to support your progress will keep procrastination at bay. It is about taking some control and ownership of the learning. Whether it is reviewing the lesson activities and success criteria on Canvas, clarifying some feedback with a teacher, or creating a study group with peers, taking action helps to put you in control. This can also help reduce stress, and give a greater sense of purpose – particularly during busy times.
At home, perhaps a dinner table conversation can also utilise the three Ps. For our Year 10 and 11 students, with exams next month, the use of the three Ps may have greater resonance in conversation.
For example, what is the plan for revision for the upcoming English exam? What will progress look like this week? What will you do to make this progress? Is it something you will do this evening, or over the weekend?
The more precise the answers to the questions are, the greater the opportunity for not only growth in knowledge and skills, but also in keeping the focus on what we can do.