Top Five Ways to Finish Stronger Than You Started

Several institutions have elected to dismiss all in-person instruction after Thanksgiving break, and conversations I’ve had since OU’s announcement show some students are freaking out.

(One more thing to add to the list of the Dumpster Fire of 2020.)

Announcing the dismissal policy with seven weeks of notice is the bright side to the icky part: you still have plenty of time to not only prepare for this change, but to even raise your grade from where it stands at this point in the semester.

Here are some suggestions for taking the changes in stride – applicable whether you’re just now going online, or have been all semester.

1. 1. Work to make a connection with your instructor.

• • • One of the top struggles that educators are reporting is the challenge of developing a personal connection with students, many of whom they have never met. In our social world, teachers feel isolated, too.
    • If your instructor doesn’t reach out to you, then take the initiative and send out an email. Now. Introduce yourself. Send a headshot/selfie for reference. Ask a relevant question. Show you care (about learning the material in this course). Inquire if there are any significant changes for the final weeks of school after Thanksgiving.
    • The more you demonstrate that YOU are interested in succeeding, the more likely the instructor is to assist you in doing so.

1. 2. Find your “Because I Said So!”

• • • We’ve all not wanted to do something, kicked the dirt, and whined “but whyyy?” And sometimes the answer is just “because I said so.” It’s policy. Non-negotiable. An argument you will not win.
    • When you are studying something remotely (alone), and the material is difficult, copious, boring, or all of the above, your little kid brain is going to kick at the dirt, whine, and try to convince you to go out and play.
    • Develop a comeback to that “little kid” brain to keep you on track. Construct your version of “because I said so.” Define your personal, non-negotiable academic policy – it really doesn’t matter what it is as long as it ethically and logistically works for you – and stick to it.
    • Think about it – have you ever considered your own “academic policy?” If not, read more about that here.

1. 3. “Eat the Elephant” one bite at a time.

• • • Trying to digest the massive effort it will take to turn a current “C” into an “A” in Organic Chemistry 2 is overwhelming and leads to System Shutdown. It’s too much.
    • If you need to “eat an elephant” (conquer a massive semester project, absolutely ace the next two tests, etc.), you do it one bite at a time. And this requires you to develop a plan.
    • Start from the 30,000-foot level. Look at the big, broad picture and identify overarching concepts that you (a) fully understand, (b) need some brushing up on, and (c) are completely missing. Literally write all of these down. I don’t care if list a has one item and list c has all the rest…get them down on paper so you can see where you are.
    • Break each concept into smaller ideas or sub-categories. If you have a textbook, the titles of the chapters, sections, and subtopics will be very helpful in this regard.
    • Give a rough estimate/allocation of time for approximately how long you think it will take for mastery of each item on your list.
    • Get out your calendar (the best kind of calendar to use for planning is the kind of calendar you actually use) and literally account for the hours you just estimated between now and when each and every assignment or test is due.
    • Make a list of resources to help you with mastering the topics on which you need the most help. Resources such as:
      • • Your instructor or TA,
        • A friend in class
        • Math Labs or other school-offered resources
        • The internet (I always start with khanacademy.org)
        • Tutors
        • Start chewing…one day at a time, one hour at a time, one task at a time.

1. 4. Get a Battle Buddy:

• • • Someone (or a group) with whom you have regularly scheduled “check-ins” or meetings where you report on progress with tasks is significant way to ensure success.
    • External accountability works wonders against procrastination. Commit to having a certain assignment completed or concept mastered by a certain day/time, and let your battle buddy not only know, but set a Zoom meeting to check in and discuss why or why not.
    • Important note: this battle buddy does not necessarily need to be in your same class! You just need someone outside of you to report to and hold you accountable for your actions if you don’t complete your task.

1. 5. Overcome Overwhelm with a C+ Start.

• • • Um…what? Didn’t you just tell me we’re trying to finish strong and/or raise our grade?
    • Absolutely. However, along with eating elephants, the mental leap from a C to an A is a leap without faith in our brains, and leads to procrastination, utter inertia, and eventual failure.
    • So don’t start your elephant eating with the end in mind. Don’t sit down and expect A+ work out of a concept you just do NOT “get.”
    • But DO start. Perfectionism is the thief of many things, one of which (for me) is even getting the ball rolling. You have to start somewhere, so just take a stab at the project. Who cares what it looks like to start? Give it your best, C+, at-least-I’m-putting-words-on-paper kind of effort, and then edit from there.
    • The C+ start, if started sooner rather than later, will yield A results.

Also, remember that Covid and the changes it is forcing upon us will not last forever. This, too, shall pass.

Additional resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cbt-and-me/201704/4-ways-finish-the-semester-strong#:~:text=4%20Ways%20to%20Finish%20the%20Semester%20Strong%201,a%20study%20buddy.%204%20Use%20problem-focused%20coping%20strategies.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/learning/80-tips-for-remote-learning-from-seasoned-educators.html?referringSource=articleShare