Charter school students should focus their last few months of school on a simple reflection and projection process of where I was, where I am, and where I am going. This process channels students to think about what was versus what truly is important to them in their life and sets a stage for looking ahead and generates a certain motivation to build on success. In the midst of it all, students are processing different thoughts at different ages in their life and this process is effective across all ages, diversities, and is where students should focus their last few months of school.
Where I was
Students should think about where they were physically, mentally, socially, academically, etc. at the beginning of the school year and write down five things they were strong and five things they were weak at doing. This reflective process will yield things in categories like school, work, hobbies, sports, extracurricular, relationships, etc. This will get many individuals to identify their strengths and weaknesses and commit them to paper.
Where I am at
For this activity, have students think of all activities good or bad in chronological order that they accomplished or missed during the previous two weeks and have upcoming over the next two weeks. This will yield things like essays, tests, games, practice, time with friends, chores, work, etc. The four-week window puts individuals “in the moment” on the most pressing issues facing them right now. It also forces individuals to stretch a little bit to remember what they prioritized as important just two weeks ago. It is strongly encouraged to do this activity with a trusted family member or friend to keep you in check.
Where am I going
This is the stage of resolution and essentially gives individuals time to think about things they may want to change or improve. For this activity, students are asked to put themselves two weeks before final exams and two weeks after final exams and write down five intentions and five interruptions that they project happening. The goal here is to be strong with intentions and deter interruptions that will get them off track from finishing the semester strong and starting a great summer break.
This process of reflection and projection is effective for students of all ages. Current 11th and 12th grade charter school students will find it particularly helpful when 11th graders are planning their summer before their senior year and need to start thinking about where they may want to go to college, what they will declare as their major, preparing to take the ACT® exam. Seniors and soon to be high school graduates will find it equally important as they are planning on heading off to work, religious mission, or college/university of their choice. The process will help charter school students find their own priorities on what will be their focus during the last few months of school.
