ah the joys of high school pre-calculus math...

(if you are new to my blog- one of the hats I wear is as a teaching assistant at a suburban Winnipeg high school)

It’s exam time.

Many are reviewing...

Some are panicking...

Some are scrambling to try desperately to hand in assignments at the last minute. Work that they have avoided and now, can no longer avoid if they do not want to have to repeat courses.

The pressure is on...

The staff feel it, the students feel it.

Some are feeling so overwhelmed, they have just given up...

The thing about defeat is that in the short term, it is easy.

It excuses you of further obligations for now.

It relieves the burden of having to put in any more effort.

It’s the easy way out.

Some look for excuses to fail.

• It’s the teachers fault
• It’s my parents fault
• I'm not smart enough
• I'm too tired
• I don't have my textbook
• I don't have the time
• I lost my pen
• I don't have the energy

If you keep looking for reasons for something to fail, eventually you may likely to be successful in your quest to fail.

Anyone can justify anything to himself or herself if they want bad enough...

This may be a good time to think about what may be motivating you to be doing whatever you are doing.

Ultimately, anything of value takes effort...

It takes motivation, vision, persistence and patience.

If you want it bad enough, you can find a way.

Sometimes we need a little outside help...

Here at school, the teachers are willing to assist before or after class. There is a resource area where students can come to get help. I can be of some help in many situations, but in some cases the students can achieve better results by seeking help with more qualified people. You can't force help down someone's throat, though.

Sometimes you can't make it on your own... That’s ok.

Resources are all around. Alternatives, the opportunities for success are available to who ever chooses to seek them out.

The successful students overcome their obstacles. They contend with distractions. They hang in there even when they may be feeling lost. They seek extra help in their weakest areas

They learn to cope with the pressure. They may feel overwhelmed, but they find a way...

Sometimes it's just bad timing...

Too many challenges conspire to interfere with success.

So- perhaps the thing that is being trying to be accomplished may seem temporarily out of reach. It’s not a must give up- put it aside for now and come back to it. Some students find success a little later in their lives- when the conditions for achievement are more favourable. It doesn't mean giving up on dreams, but perhaps spending a little more time preparing to achieve them later. Sometimes students have to first groom other skills to set the stage for their success...

In a way, it's easy for me to talk about these things. I am strong, healthy, focussed and fairly together...

I have experience and maturity to give me confidence.

Some of these students have a lot on their plates...

Abuse, pressures, changes, their unknown future, insecurities, health issues... Currently, I am without many challenges and pressures. One advantage this gives me is strength; another may be a more balanced perspective- one of vision, patience

and the persistence needed to overcome great obstacles. In the past, I have had challenges. They have helped make me who I am today. I know I will have other challenges ahead. My past has prepared me well for my future...

Knowing what things are worth fighting for allows us to stay focussed on the bigger picture...

None of us have unlimited energy, it’s in our best interest to pick our battles.

Enduring the storms along the way might slow us down. They may be discouraging and draining, but they don't last forever if we plot a course to a sunnier part of the world and stay on course.

never give up on really important things

always keep hope

always hang on to the vision of important successes

keep your eyes on the prize

: )