Dear Ilana and Jess: This is my final semester of college ever (kudos to me) but I’m really struggling with the final push. My classmates are also having a hard time bouncing back after Thanksgiving. How do we get to the end of the semester without throwing in the towel? – Jacobi
Dear Jacobi: Kudos to you, indeed! First, a hearty congratulations on your wonderful success! The last few weeks of the fall semester are notoriously difficult. But watching the way you think and speak about the final push will help make it as painless as possible.
Cut back on commiseration. We all need to vent sometimes, and often, it’s helpful. But it’s a slippery slope to whining. It’s one thing to express your frustration and another to throw a pity party. To keep things contained, imagine metaphorical parentheses around your complaints. Tell yourself (or a friend) that you’re going to rant for a second, then you’re going to move on. This will allow you to get your agitation off your chest without becoming consumed by it.
Work in increments. Now is the time to give yourself a lot of breaks. Motivation and attention are at an all-time low and chances are you need a lot of slack. However, keep in mind that you can only give yourself some leeway if you budget your time effectively. Break out your planner and write out all your upcoming tasks. Seeing them visually helps you to create space and best account for your time. Allocate at least 15 minutes more than you think you need for any given assignment.
Work with a friend. Having a study party (or study hangout) can help keep you accountable while making the work more tolerable. Make sure to choose your friend wisely and agree in advance that you’re going to be working together – or at least parallel to one another. Partner with someone who’s equally as devoted to their studies as you; not the friend you call when you want a pleasant distraction. Set concrete goals before you sit down so you can keep each other accountable.
Say This: “Okay, I’m going to vent for a minute, then I’m going to move on and start scheduling this work.”
Not That: “This is miserable. I’m so over it!”
Say This, Not That is based on the work of Cognition Builders: a global, educational company headed by Ilana Kukoff (Founder & CEO) and Jessica Yuppa Huddy (Chief Learning Officer). Everywhere from New York City to California to Shanghai to Zurich, the Cognition Builders team is called upon by A-list entertainers, politicians, CEOs, and CFOs to resolve the conflicts that upend everyday life. When their work is done, the families they serve are stronger than ever. With their new book, Say This, Not That To Your Teenage Daughter Kukoff and Yuppa Huddy have selected the most common conversational mistakes parents make, and fixed them. For more information, please visit: https://cognitionbuilders.com. To purchase Say This, Not That To Your Teenage Daughter visit: http://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/detail?sku=9781449488055.
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