It's the hardest time of the year. The time when you need to wind down and celebrate the end of this year and somehow prepare for next year. For Australian teachers, it is also report writing time. This can be stressful as well as exhausting. Over my teaching journey, here are a few tips that I thought that I would share to help you manage this daunting time:
1. Start planning in November: I use an overview sheet that you buy from the dollar store. I simply record the dates and weeks all the way through to January. Plot in all events, meetings and important dates to ensure that you know what is coming. This way you can see when they are pockets of time available.
2. Break up large goals into smaller ones: I found this the most challenging. Sometimes when you are the zone, you are in the zone. However, it is easy to burnout if you attempt too much. Write your most important goals during this time frame and stick to them. Now more, no less.
Eg: Write all reports. Then simply step it out over the time desired time frame. I usually start with the teacher comment early on and complete one or two a night. It slowly gets done.
3. Learn to prioritise: Really, what is the most important task to complete? What has the nearest deadline? I often have to let some things just go for now because I simply do not have the time or the energy. Learning to live with that, is often the hardest part of managing the end of the year. Those great ideas for next year start flowing and you often need to just jot them down and move on.
4. Checklists, checklists and more checklists: Each week, I record all of the tasks that are on my weekly overview. I keep it with me and add tasks to it as required. It is often easier to have separate checklists for home, school etc. The reminders app is the best for me as I simply set reminders for certain times, dates and locations.
5. Get a Christmas Planning pack: I find it so hard to manage who to buy presents for, , kids presents, what to get for co workers, family presents, budgets AHHHHH! It often gets overwhelming and left to the last minute. I simple designed a system that worked for me. (Check out the store by clicking the store button above if you want to purchase the pack for $2.00)
6. Make time for yourself: it is no good if you are sick and exhausted. You just end up with more work. This happened to me this year. I didn't make time to fully recover from the Winter flu and as a result, I become twice as sick and rundown. So lesson learnt! Build in times for exercise, rests, movies, baths whatever is needed to help you relax and rest.
7. Do not forget to enjoy! This is a great time with the kids. I have just rediscovered the joys of Santa and Christmas fun after six years with the senior and upper kids. Get the creative juices flowing and start planning those craft activities. Being creative often ignites passion and enthusiasm.
How do you manage the end of the school year?
1. Start planning in November: I use an overview sheet that you buy from the dollar store. I simply record the dates and weeks all the way through to January. Plot in all events, meetings and important dates to ensure that you know what is coming. This way you can see when they are pockets of time available.
2. Break up large goals into smaller ones: I found this the most challenging. Sometimes when you are the zone, you are in the zone. However, it is easy to burnout if you attempt too much. Write your most important goals during this time frame and stick to them. Now more, no less.
Eg: Write all reports. Then simply step it out over the time desired time frame. I usually start with the teacher comment early on and complete one or two a night. It slowly gets done.
3. Learn to prioritise: Really, what is the most important task to complete? What has the nearest deadline? I often have to let some things just go for now because I simply do not have the time or the energy. Learning to live with that, is often the hardest part of managing the end of the year. Those great ideas for next year start flowing and you often need to just jot them down and move on.
4. Checklists, checklists and more checklists: Each week, I record all of the tasks that are on my weekly overview. I keep it with me and add tasks to it as required. It is often easier to have separate checklists for home, school etc. The reminders app is the best for me as I simply set reminders for certain times, dates and locations.
5. Get a Christmas Planning pack: I find it so hard to manage who to buy presents for, , kids presents, what to get for co workers, family presents, budgets AHHHHH! It often gets overwhelming and left to the last minute. I simple designed a system that worked for me. (Check out the store by clicking the store button above if you want to purchase the pack for $2.00)
6. Make time for yourself: it is no good if you are sick and exhausted. You just end up with more work. This happened to me this year. I didn't make time to fully recover from the Winter flu and as a result, I become twice as sick and rundown. So lesson learnt! Build in times for exercise, rests, movies, baths whatever is needed to help you relax and rest.
7. Do not forget to enjoy! This is a great time with the kids. I have just rediscovered the joys of Santa and Christmas fun after six years with the senior and upper kids. Get the creative juices flowing and start planning those craft activities. Being creative often ignites passion and enthusiasm.
How do you manage the end of the school year?
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