In my experience, it is common at about this time for parents to start asking themselves, “Why is my child coming home so cranky and exhausted?” Children may seem out of character and might even be saying things like, “I don’t like this college anymore”. This is where the honeymoon phase has started to wear off and students start to realise that this is what is actually going to happen everyday.
Throughout last year, when new students arrived, they got to about this point, so please know that you are not the only one going through this experience. This is an extremely normal process for students, and one they do work through as their bodies start to adjust physically to what is required of them.
Secondly, the students are mentally tired. This is a whole new way of thinking. There is no ‘spoon feeding’ in our class, which in itself can pose a huge shift in the way a lot of students have been taught for so long. Quite often I ask the question in class, “Why are you sitting there doing nothing?” and the response is,”I haven’t been told what to do” or “I am already finished my work”. In our class, we are trying to shift this state of thinking into, “What can I now do to enhance myself as a life long learner?” so once a child has finished a task, they ask themselves what could they now do that is productive and serves a useful purpose for themselves now and in the future. This would be great conversation to have with your child, as to strategies they could put into place when they have finished their work. This has been a real struggle for a lot of students and the mental and physical strain is starting to show.
Now the glimmer of hope. Last year I saw this happen over and over again as students passed through the stage of honeymoon (this is awesome), to “I’m exhausted” (this sucks), to “I feel great and have really begun to settle into this” (let the deep learning begin). So just remember – train/learn right, eat right, sleep right and she’ll be right.
Thanks Shane – spot on! And I’m happy to say, my Junior Burger came home saying he had “the best day at college ever”. I am still expecting more ups and downs but am confident we will work through this phase. Thank you to all at IFS for your efforts – I wouldn’t want your job for quids 🙂
Sean, is definitely trashed when he comes home, but absolutely loves the
School.
PJ is exhausted but is absolutely loving the new challenges involved in a new way of learning. He loves that training is purposeful and every minute is cherished as time to learn.
I have 100% confidence in The IFS and their learning structure. This is a complete turn around for the students but am confident that they are getting an early start in experiencing the basis of team work in their chosen sport and their education alike. This is the basis to their future years that I am confident will carry through.
E.G is exhausted when he gets home, but its a good exhausted, he feels he has achieved something worthwhile in his day.
Seth is coming home more tired and sleeps well. He never complains about going to college and never asks for “just one day off”. It’s has been an excellent decision to send him to IFS.