For seniors, Term 3 is when the reality of looming assessments and exams begin to bite. Our experience has shown that senior students who have developed a well-organised study schedule by now are more likely to reach their exams feeling prepared and confident, able to achieve at their potential.
People practise content but they don't practise test techniques. The key criteria of tests are that they are unpredictable and timed. The work done in class and the homework based on class work is always predictable and rarely timed. Effective practice for a test will come from attempting unpredictable work in a timed scenario. At home, unpredictable questions might come from a different text book or past exam papers. Then you need to self-enforce a time limit during your practice. For exam practice, we are lucky to have past practice tests available for students to work through.
According to a dietitian I heard on the radio recently, organic fruits and vegetables are healthier than produce grown with pesticides, fertilisers and other aids. The dietitian explained that because organic produce has to fend for itself, it has to work harder as a plant if it is to thrive and flourish.
I’m sure you’ve heard of this: ‘If you tell a person often enough that they are stupid, they will soon begin to believe it.’ The words we use, whether talking to others or to ourselves, have a profound effect on our mindset.
Mindset is, in effect, how you see the world and yourself in the world. With a negative mindset, the world seems difficult; small setbacks feel like failures; new situations feel daunting; trying feels hopeless. With a positive mindset, mistakes are for learning from; something new is an exciting challenge; hard work brings results; the world is a great place to be.
‘To travel is to live’ said celebrated children’s author Hans Christian Anderson. Seeing new places and taking a break from routine invigorates, refreshes and inspires us. Of course, Hans probably never had to travel with kids screaming ‘Are we there yet?’ in the back of his horse and carriage! Travel can be one of the best experiences you’ll ever share as a family, but it can also be pretty challenging. Family travel requires a lot more planning than travelling solo, but the rewards are well worth the effort!
