Helping students come back to school and feel motivated after break

It’s that time of year again, when students come back from winter break. Regardless of how students spend their break, coming back to school can be tough for both students and teachers.

It’s common for students to experience a lack of motivation or slight burnout as they transition back into their usual routines. It’s important for educators to support students during these challenging times and encourage them to maintain their dedication and finish the year strong.

Here are four ways educators can help students come back to school after winter break:

1. Allow students to adjust. Students may come back to school feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or nervous for what’s ahead. It’s important to allow students to regain momentum as they transition back into their usual routines. Letting students socialize with each other after being away, having them share stories about their break or participate in welcome-back activities can help combat the overwhelm that comes with going back to school, as well as give educators a moment to prepare for what’s ahead.

2. Review material from before break. Many students leave for vacation over break or spend the holidays with family, leaving last year’s material the last thing on their minds. Because of this, a quick review of what was taught before break can be helpful, as it can help students readjust to the classroom and prepare them for what they will learn next.

3. Plan something for students to look forward to. After a relaxing break, school can seem dreadful for many students, with projects, readings and tests filling their schedules. Giving students something to look forward to can help boost motivation. Try planning fun activities, field trips or class rewards. Tying these activities back into what they are learning can be especially helpful, as it helps the material stick in an exciting and creative way. Feel free to get creative with this, depending on what your students like!

4. Set goals. Take time to sit down with students and plan goals for the remainder of the year. Goal setting is vital for motivating students and allows them to look back on what they’ve accomplished and feel proud of how far they’ve come. These goals can be academic or personal, and they don’t need to be extravagant, even simple goals are enough to get students into a motivational mindset.

For more information on how to help students combat burnout and support their mental well-being, visit Arizona PBS LearningMedia.

What are some ways you help your students readjust and prepare for the rest of the school year? Share your thoughts with us on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook Page!