How to work constructively for school in September without overworking
It’s now only two weeks before September and it feels like the new school year is crawling ever closer.
You may be beginning to feel that mid-August angst creeping in. Two weeks is still plenty of time though! It’s the equivalent of the Christmas or Easter half term breaks and so it’s not like you need to be back in school mode just yet.
Follow these simple steps to ensure that you are preparing yourself for September constructively whilst still enjoying your summer holiday break.
1) Set out your expectations
Knowing ahead of schedule how you’d like to spend the remainder of your summer holidays will help you to make the most of your time. Ask yourself the following questions to help decipher your expectations:
- How would you like to spend the second half of your summer holiday?
- How would you like to start September?
These two questions will help you to strike a balance between school and life that enables you to make the most of your summer holiday whilst being in a good position come the beginning of the new school year.
This balance will be different for everyone. You can ask advice and listen to what others are doing but it is up to you to strike the balance that works for you.
2) Create a brain dump
Once you have established how much focus you would like to give to school in the remainder of your holiday, make sure that you have a clear idea of what it is that you want to achieve.
To do this, create a brain dump.
Grab a piece of paper and a pen and jot down everything that you can possibly think of that you’d like to get done.
Notice the language you use when you writing your brain dump. Are you using phrases like, “need to” or “have to”? If so, these words will allow resentment to rise. If you feel like you need to or have to do your school work, it implies that you do not have a choice in the matter. As such, when you find yourself doing the work that you need to or have to do, you may begin to resent how school is taking over your free time or you may feel that your summer holiday and free time is coming to an end too soon.
This will hardly make you feel positive about going back to school!
Trying reframing the situation.
Instead of saying, “I need to do my planning” or “I have to get my classroom ready”, try, “ I get to do my planning” or “I choose to get my classroom ready”.
Although the situation is the same, you will feel more positive because you are choosing to engage in school; you get to prepare for the job you love.
It’s a simple technique but it can have a positive impact.
3) Break it down
Once you have got your brain dump, select your priorities (because you’re unlikely to get it all done!) and break these down into manageable chunks.
Allocate days and times that you will complete the tasks you’ve chosen to do.
Only work during this time frame and no more. This will help you to practise clear boundaries for your work-life balance now before the new term begins.
Not only that, it empowers you to put Parkinson’s Law into practice, which states, work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion.
For instance, f you choose to do your planning on Monday but do not set yourself a time deadline, it will take you all of Monday, whether you wanted it to or not.
However, if you choose to do your planning on Monday between 10am and 1pm, not only do you have a time pressure element involved but you will also find your effort increases so that the task is complete and you can enjoy a feeling of achievement.
And in doing so, you get the rest of Monday to enjoy more of your own free time!
Win-win.
4) Sign up for the Back to School Calm Masterclass
The final step is optional (as are the rest!) but will help you to reduce any feelings of anxiety, overwhelm or stress that you may be experiencing as school moves closer and instead, help you to feel calm, confident and excited about returning to school.
Sign up for the Back to School Calm Masterclass, which is taking place on Wednesday 24th August at 8pm BST.
This masterclass will help you to:
- Start the new school year positively without anxiety or overwhelm
- Clarify your priorities and get on top of your new school year prep
- Arrive in the new school year with a work-life balance that works for you
The masterclass will be taking place on Google Meet and will be recorded so if you miss it live, you can always catch up afterwards. The tools and techniques shared in the masterclass will help you to go move from anxiety to calm, overwhelmed to confident and resentful to excited.
The investment for the masterclass is £19.99. You can sign up here: subscribepage.com/backtoschoolcalmmasterclass
It will be amazing to see you there!
Remember that you can choose how you approach September. You can choose to be holiday mode, school mode or a combination of the two. If you would like any support with striking the right balance, I encourage you to sign up for the Back to School Calm Masterclass.
Gemma Drinkall is an Educational Wellbeing Coach, helping new middle leaders in education to switch off from teaching so that they can switch on in their lives.
Want to get in touch? Book a free, no obligation virtual coffee chat here: calendly.com/headsphere/bookacallwithgemma
