Despite the somewhat chilly month we’ve been having so far, the calendar doesn’t lie … it’s May. And you’re probably starting to eye that date circled on the next calendar page. The last day of the school year is fast approaching, and no one knows that better than the students!
As the sun gets brighter in the sky and the temperature inches higher, the chance of distraction increases too. That includes not only students, but you, as well. After all, we’re all looking forward to our big summer plans, right? (Even here at EIA, we find ourselves staring out the window a bit more often than usual.)
Spring fever can be tough to shake, but we’ve got a few simple tips to help you focus and power through to June.
Start planning for summer
Indulge your spring fever in a focused, practical way — set aside some spare time to plan for driving out to the Berkshires, taking a boat out on Lake Massapoag or spending some time down on the Cape.
If while doing so you have any questions about insurance on your car, boat or home, just let us know. We promise to tear ourselves away from the window long enough to help.
Prioritize your goals
Overwhelmed by wanting to accomplish so much in such a dwindling timespan? It’s always easier when you have a clear sense of priorities and goals. Take some time to assess where you are, identify what remains to be done and prioritize those objectives before the end of the school year.
You may be thinking, “I don’t have the time to stop and plan. I’m too far behind!” But in reality, when you’re feeling that time crunch, that’s when you most need to stop and figure out how best to use your time.
It could be as simple as starting each day by making a list of the top five things you want to accomplish by that evening. They don’t have to be giant tasks — even small accomplishments can mean significant progress. At the end of the day, check your list and see how you did. Breaking things down into reasonable chunks is a great way to feel less overwhelmed and get more done.
This is not just a good exercise for your personal planning, but it is a helpful idea to pass along to students. They are likely feeling the same way.
Go outside
We can’t hide from the improving weather, so we might as well embrace it and find a way to build it into our work. On a personal level, allow yourself to start the morning or wind into the evening with a walk around the neighborhood. At school, have classes or meetings outdoors whenever possible.
There are a few reasons to do this. One is that sun helps generate vitamin D, which has a range of health benefits for your immune system, bone health and cardiovascular system, to name a few. Another is that exercise such as walking helps reduce your body’s levels of cortisone, a hormone released in response to stress. And of course, few things are a sight for sore eyes like spring in New England.
What's more, find a way to build the outdoors into your lesson plans — for example, how do the laws of physics apply to the equipment at the nearby playground and how many degrees is the slope leading up to campus? And with flora in bloom, it’s a great time for a nature walk.