Have Faith, Don’t Procrastinate

The countdown to bathing suit season can be compared to preparing for a standardized test. With only one week left to gear up for the CRCT, my words of encouragement get more frantic and desperate sounding. As we approach the inevitable test that measures progress, the stress and anxiety get more intense. My attempt to review all concepts just before the test seems all for naught.

How can you expect success if you haven’t done the work all along?

In the classroom, my efforts to create, motivate and encourage life-long learners seem to produce only a fraction of those students that will forge ahead as original thinkers with the probability of a bright future. The few and the proud will not only successfully pass the standardized test, they will have an appreciation for their parents and teachers and enjoy rare intrinsic rewards of achievement that are only felt by those that have done the work starting on the first day of school.

But these students weren’t created by me. They came to me that way; willing and able to take advantage of what I had to offer. Not unlike fitness fanatics, these are the students that have self-discipline, a certainty in self and the ability to do what is right regardless of its popularity, their mood or the exertion necessary to complete the task.

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So, what about the others? Have they listened at all? What do I do with the students that continue to show up without supplies, homework or the desire to learn? What about those students who are convinced just one week of studying and completed assignments can undo the damage done the other 170 days?

It compares similarly to the loyal reader that ponders over my words, but doesn’t do anything about it. Or, the temporary exerciser—the one that goes all out for eight days, gym membership to boot—but retires from the fitness game for lack of time or a mountain of other excuses. Are they any different from the procrastinating student hoping that a last minute and short lived change can make a long term difference?

Just like cramming for a test, the desire to look and feel better can’t happen overnight. It takes consistency, persistence, and determination. Instead of looking at this as the last week to “cram” for good health, look at it as a fresh start.

Spring weather brings an awakening of the soul like the blooming of a flower. The warmth of the sun will call you to bask in it whether on a walk with the dog, or to work in the garden. Let go of feelings of failure and be renewed as you begin a journey of faith and belief in what you can do.

This week, be like the student who needs a more hopeful future. Be prepared, do your homework, listen and learn, and stop procrastinating. Do what you know is right regardless of how tired you are, what kind of day you had or how daunting a task it might be.

For questions or concerns e-mail suzannemcginnis@me.com.