Hello, October?
Written by Amy Hanes, Academic Administrator
Football games…burning leaves…pumpkin patches…fireplace snuggles…
If these memories come to mind when you think of fall, you’re probably not a teacher or a student in 7th-12th grades. Though just as predictable but not nearly as enjoyable, October can mean overwhelm, exhaustion, and cynicism. It can seem like everything gets crammed in and piled up during this month, and the to-do list continues to grow. There is comfort in knowing what to expect and that you are not alone. There are also some things that can be done to ward off the mulligrubs and even empower you to (dare we say) enjoy this season.
September sashays in, brimming with new possibilities. Even the tough days don’t seem quite so daunting because the stored-up energy from the summer is able to easily sustain the near future. As the weeks progress, though, so do the stress levels. Essays are assigned, grades are due, conferences are scheduled, and patience wears thin. As a parent or student, here are a few not-so-surprising surprises you might encounter soon:
There’s too much to do! I can’t possibly keep up!
Maybe this _______ isn’t a good fit for me. Fill in the blank: school, team, class, teacher
My child isn’t happy.
The grades I have aren’t as good as I’d like for them to be.
Do any of these sound familiar? If so, read on. The first bit of advice to heed is this: breathe. Take a deep breath, and zoom out to a big-picture perspective. It helps to remember this is normal and it is a season. Try this:
Remember the Why. What was it that compelled you to engage a classical Christian education?
Classical Christian Education is different, even from other Christian schools. The natural phases and stages of child development are followed through grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Logic classes, original texts, regular presentations, and out-of-the-box educational opportunities are intentionally woven into the God-centered curriculum. BCS students learn to think critically and independently and practice defending their beliefs in graceful ways. They are encouraged to ask tough questions and seek logical solutions. Classical Christian education is about equipping kingdom-minded young people to become all the Lord has planned for them to be.
Take inventory and make adjustments.
What are the non-negotiables that have to be completed? What can be let go? Look at your schedules and plan out the next month, breaking up the big projects into smaller pieces. Make sure to plan small moments of celebration when you complete a task!
Feelings change, and the Lord teaches us in seasons.
Our feelings are fickle. Have you ever gotten up in the morning and really wanted a hot chocolate, but by the time you reached the Starbucks drive-through, you felt more like a coffee? Our feelings are not reliable guides for our decisions. Maybe your child feels unhappy or maybe they feel as though they don’t quite fit in this season. Remember, relationships take time. Good relationships build slowly through the highs and lows. Some of the most meaningful seasons come through difficult circumstances.
It is good to do hard things.
It seems like we have an easier time understanding this concept on the ball field rather than in the classroom, but the same lesson holds true. Perseverance builds maturity and prepares us for how the Lord will use us. Sometimes, we fail to realize our own potential and can be tempted to jump ship. Hold on, keep pressing forward, and be prepared to enjoy the accomplishment of reaching the other side of the current hurdle.
Seek the Lord first.
C.S. Lewis said, “The voice of God indeed daily calls to us; calls to the world to abandon sins and seek the Kingdom of God wholeheartedly.” Each day, pray that the Lord will cause us to seek Him above all things and allow us to see all challenges through the lens of His will.
So…Hello, October! Enjoy the football season, trek through the pumpkin patch, tackle the hard things, and stay the course.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-6