Final exams are coming up in three weeks. Mini-me’s high school JUNIOR YEAR finals! And do you know what that means? The fun is over. We go into DEFCON 4 total lock-down mode. We did this last December, too. I barely survived.
I stopped watching Glee, Khloe & Lamar, and 90210 as an act of solidarity. If Mini-me is suffering, I’m suffering too. I miss TV and Mini-me is the only one that knows how to use the new remote! I just sit there helplessly on the couch, wondering if I should (gasp!) read?
I’m so tired of cracking the whip, but if I didn’t, what would I do? I’m usually a pretty strict mom and I’d like to think I keep her on track, though I know she doesn’t need me to. But, during finals (OMG, junior year?!), I’m leaving nothing to chance, and it’s mighty stressful around here. I make a helicopter mom look like a slacker.
Other than bringing her healthy snacks, (heaven forbid she gets a cold or flu), there’s really nothing I can do to help. Her Spanish is better than mine, her French is better than mine and now that she’s past fractions, I’m no help at all. So I guess my way of “helping” is making sure all the studying is getting done and she’s getting plenty of rest. I didn’t work this hard when I was in school, and quite frankly, I think labor was easier too.
Can’t wait until finals are over. I’m sure, Mini-me is looking forward to that too. Before you know it, it will be time to work on college applications. I think I need to lay down now.
How do you survive your teen’s final exams? Are you crazy like me, or do you hide until it’s over?
Hayden Lee says
I know your article was a while ago, but your daughter will have finals again. Granted it won’t be Junior year finals, but it can still be stressful. As a former SAT/college application essay tutor and now I’m a Certified Academic Life Coach for teens, one of the best things that you can help with your daughter is to remind her of her values and purpose. She may not “want” to study for AP Bio, but what value will she honoring if she does? Help her find the Intrinsic Motivation in studying for finals…that is, the type of motivation where the act of doing something is the reward itself…versus Conditional Motivation where “if you do this, then you will get this.” It is not as fulfilling for a student to only study because “if they do, then then will get a good grade. And if they get a good grade, then they will get into a good college.” It is much more fulfilling if they approach it in a way where they find the act itself rewarding, like “I enjoy the challenge” or “I want to feel accomplished when I’m done with the study guide.” This little shift in perspective takes some stress away because they have found a purpose to their studying for finals and can incorporate it into the “big picture” of who they are. Hope that helps! 🙂
Carpool Goddess says
Good advice. Thanks!