How to End the School Year Strong
The end of the school year is a whirlwind of activities, fun, and stuff. With more activities going on, more fun being had, and more stuff coming in from school, we feel overwhelmed with organizing. It takes a new mindset for transition and new strategies to reset your space. Check out these three tips to end the school year strong.
Create a mindset focusing on transition and reset
The month of May is just like the month of December with so much to do. Summer activity has already started with the swim team, holidays, and kids at home. Have a mindset of resetting between the busy school year and the upcoming summer fun. Set aside 2 or 3 days to transition between school ending and summer officially starting. That is when you have several days to reset with relaxation. Return to your regular bedtime and regain your momentum. Your energy will return after a few days to have the brain power to reset your home.
Wrap up end of the school year or spring projects
The last 10% of any project is the hardest part. That includes wrapping up the school year or spring projects you have started. Returning items to Amazon or other retailers, pulling together or discarding remnants of a project, or reviewing paperwork might be the last 10% of the project. During this time focus on straightening up the space and letting go of extra stuff that has accumulated through the spring.
Take time for gratitude and reflection
In busy times we often forget that time spent in gratitude and reflection yields big learning moments. During the last week of school, set aside time to write a note to those who have been a part of the school year and share what has been most valuable. Others are grateful for your sharing what meant the most to you. In a week or so after school ends, sit together during a family dinner and talk about the year.
- What hard things did you do or learn?
- What motivated you the most?
- What was the best thing that happened?
These times of reflection will build positivity, resilience, and strength for you and your family.
Create an end-of-spring ritual for yourself
If you are beyond school years, it is also a time to reflect on goals. Too often time and seasons pass quickly. A quarterly time for reflection uplifts you and resets where you are in accomplishing your personal and professional goals.
Such an important post. We actually don’t finish school around here until June, but the same rituals should apply. So many people just “dump” their stuff on the last day of school, and don’t look at it until the next school year rolls around. Great reminder to go through the bags, return unwanted/unneeded items, and have an end of school ritual/celebration.
It’s a wonderful feeling to finish school for the year, right? A special “freedom” that is unique to being a student.
Nothing like the last day of school for both parents and students!
Honoring transitions is so valuable. Allowing yourself time to wrap up and reflect is a great way to get ready for what’s next. Being aware that you’re going from one phase or project to another is part of it. Putting things away and wrapping up (actually or metaphorically) allows your mind to be settled. That groundedness prepares you for the next phase, project, or time.
You are so right Linda – being aware that you are moving from one phase or project to another makes a big difference. Wrapping up seems a natural part of the process then.