I was so happy to have hosted, this morning,  a group of pupils who were preparing for the new school year.  Some of them will be taking GCSE’s this year, and a couple had their A’Levels ahead. 

What was apparent though was the ease in which each of the pupils had taken on a mantra about what the coming year was going to be like.  I heard, without any questioning, claims that the year was going to be so stressful; that the work is difficult; that there will be no fun …. There was nothing at all upbeat in our conversation – at all!

My answer to all of this was … “SAY’s WHO?”.  And there was no answer to this.  These pupils had taken on the stories that they had heard from previous years.  There was no asking as to whether what they were repeating was actually true, and I just know that year after year the same ‘message’ gets passed on without being filtered, challenged or reworded!  This matters to me – and I want our young to become so conscious of what they are saying.  Why – because the words that we use impact on our behaviours and responses to our daily lives. 

When you take on a  ‘story’, please remind yourself to ask “say’s who”?  This will give you the trigger to reframe the lens that you view this coming year.  Yes, these years that encompass important exams are challenging – but that does not mean that stress and anxiety have be the dominant way of being.  What if you were to forward plan the year – expect yourself to be really stimulated by the learning ahead, knowing that you will be rewarded for your efforts.  How about taking on a new mantra that would serve you. 

This year ahead is a head of deep learning – that will be opening doors for me. 

I am excited to be learning intensively this year.  And as I learn to study effectively, I will be pleased to demonstrate what I know during the exam season. 

I will be so well prepared for the exams this year, that they will be satisfying and rewarding. 

I plan to work consistently and effectively and to find ways to learn that are stimulating for me.

This academic year is a very good one for me.  I’ve got this. 

I wonder how this year ahead will be.  What I know for sure is that I am embracing the learning and the other non academic events taking place at school.  

So, in short, please choose the words that you use when talking about this upcoming school year.  Choose your own words and choose to make a choice for yourself as to how the year will pan out.  

May this academic year be so rewarding for you.