Feeling Stuck? 6 Ideas to Get Out of the 3rd Quarter Slump!

It’s the time of year between New Year’s and Spring Break where everything seems to drag a bit and feel like you’re just going throught the motions. Any of this ring a bell for you? I can’t be the only one that feels this way. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy my job! I love seeing and teaching my students every day, but I feel like I am in need of a break. More than just a weekend. And with Daylight Savings ending today, and a busy week looming, I’m feeling it more than ever. How about you? So, what can we do to get through this third quarter slump and make it to Spring Break, which will hopefully recharge us enough to get us to the end of the year?

I’ve been doing some thinking on this topic and support is on the horizen! Try one or all of these six ideas to refresh yourself and get that spark back!

1. Take a Personal Day

We have personal days for a reason! This is the perfect time to put in for a personal day. Take that day to rest and do things for you. Try not to think of work on this day. Your students will be fine for a day without you and, ultimately, it will be better for them and you. For ideas on what to do during your personal day to destress, check out this post Need a Mental Health Day? Take It!

2. Get Out in Nature

Spring is upon us in the lowcountry! Get outside. Take a walk, sit on the back porch after school, or get out for a few minutes during your planning time (if you’re able). Sit in the sunshine, look at the flowers opening, and listen to the birds. Just spend some time outdoors! And be sure to take your allergy meds first😉. Check out this article “The mental health benefits of nature: Spending time outdoors to refresh your mind” from Sara Youngblood Gregory at Mayo Clinic to read all about the benefits.

3. Talk to a Colleague

If you are able to find a few minutes to chat with a colleague that can help, too! Especially one in the same grade level/position as you. It can feel good to not feel alone. I’m sure even if they are not feeling the same as you right now, they have at some point.

4. Read Your Gratitude Journal

If you started a gratitude journal, pull it out and read through some of what you wrote. Remembering what you were grateful for in the past can help pull your mind out of a funk. If you have been writing in it for a long time, take a look at this same week from last year and see what you wrote. If you haven’t started one yet, check out my favorite from https://denisealbright.com/TEACHERBYDAY Use code: TEACHERBYDAY for an extra discount!

5. Do Something Small for Yourself

If you don’t have time/money to do anything big, do something small. Go out to eat at a favorite restaurant with friends/family, spend an evening out to connect with a spouse or friend, play a game with your kids, take your dogs to a dog park, buy a new spring top, get a fresh haircut, etc. Just that one small feel-good event will have a positive impact on your mood!

6. Get Out of Your Routine

We tend to get stuck during the school year following the same routine day after day. Everything starts to blur together. Break that monotony and do something fun with your class. Plan a field trip, do a science experiment, teach a lesson outside, or do a class project! Chances are if you’re feeling that way, your students are, too.

Final Notes

With testing time coming up quickly, most of us are trying to do one final push to get our students ready for them. In order to do that, we need to be functioning on more than auto-pilot. We need to be able to analyze student needs and be flexible with our teaching. Try one of these ideas today to get out of your 3rd quarter slump, so you can get back on track and do just that. That way our students will have the best opportunity to make as many gains as possible before the end of the school year!