Students at this time of year are faced with projects and exams that expect them to display the culmination of months of learning. Cumulative exams test knowledge from the scope of the course; final papers ask for the application of concepts they've learned throughout the semester; presentations and projects ask students to synthesize everything they've been learning.
However, there can be a disconnect between this expectation and the reality of today's student life. Students are not only managing their coursework, but may be working one or more jobs, participating in organizations or sports, managing long commutes, fulfilling family responsibilities, dealing with physical or mental health challenges, and on top of everything, trying to fend off endless, always-available distractions. Many students find that rather than experiencing a linear, gradual growth of knowledge throughout a course, they are learning in fits and starts, gaining and waning, losing focus and refocusing. This can make it tough to gear up for what they are asked to do now.
Coaching can help students close the gap between expectation and reality. Coaches can ask questions that help students see their status realistically, look at what is being asked of them, and determine how to best deploy their time and energy. For example, here are some questions a coach could ask a student who needs to prepare for a cumulative final exam:
- Take a look at the course topics you need to know: Which do you feel confident about, and which less confident?
- How can you frontload your studying of topics that feel more shaky to you?
- What is the difference between what you expected of yourself in this class and where you are today? If you have negative feelings about your performance, how can you acknowledge them and then set them aside so that you can spend your energy on doing the best with the time you have now?
- What action can you take in the next couple of days that will give you the best chance of doing well on this exam?
- When have you had ups and downs in a course before and come out with an overall successful record and good experience?
- What will help you acknowledge that your low point in this class does not define your potential?
Through the ups and downs of coaching, solid principles and useful tools can carry us through. Join LifeBound to build your toolbox.
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