HIGH SCHOOL WINDSTORM MONTH

This is the windstorm month if you’re in high school. Everything is winding up with all the little details and the larger commitments that need attention, seemingly all at the same time. Grad, speeches, parties, tuxes, limos, sports, clubs and other extracurriculars, the right dress, the right—or any—date, lining up a summer job, planning summer travel, and oh yes. Finals.

Yet many high school students find it difficult to maintain the focus that has got them thus far. The weather is so good . . . friends are so there . . . you’ve been through a long term. Part of  you knows that you want to make sure you maintain your spot in university, or that you keep up your grades if you’re not at that stage. But part of you just resonates to spring. You know you don’t want to drop the ball. But you don’t really want to think about that right now.

Hey, you’re human! So plan to include the joys of this time of year. Plan those joys into your schedule. For the complex projects, such as grad and sports travel, use the project management skills I’ve blogged about. Just make sure you include the sun and fun in your planning.

The key is to be aware of the signs of demotivation and then deal. Are you procrastinating? Endorse for spotting that. Have old nonproductive habits cropped up from time to time? Endorse yourself for spotting that. And use the tools for dealing: Plan small changes, endorse for each effort, and use reinforcers for each effort you make. (Reinforcers: those small enjoyable pleasures, such as tea, play with a pet, 10 minutes on a hobby.)

These last weeks, use the resources that are available to you, such as study groups for STEM problems, librarians for research, or meetings with teachers to ensure you’re on track (and check to make sure you have credit for all the work you have completed). 

OK, now I’m speaking especially to grads, and I’m going to sound like your parents, so you can skip this paragraph. It’s because I see it from the other side, the student who had a good spot at a good school. Then grad happened. Going out with a bang was the plan. The criminal conviction wasn’t part of the plan, nor was the resulting loss of admission to the school of choice. And another student, yes, the car accident. Injury. Not death this time. Okay, okay, it will never happen to you. Just saying, don’t let it happen this time to you or your friends.

End of parent talk. Touch base with me to polish off the year with the right kind of bang, keeping it all together [email protected] .

The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources.Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE DIAL 911.