“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” – Will Durant
Schools are inherently busy places. Students are asked to balance their classes, complete their assessments that go along with every class, fulfill their co-curricular commitments, and still find time for family and friends. Teachers are responsible for planning lessons, teaching, managing challenging behaviours, assessing and evaluating students with prompt feedback, maintaining open lines of communication and all the various administrative tasks. Parents are tasked with ensuring their children’s wellbeing by providing food, clothing, shelter. As well as healthcare, emotional support, life skills education, encourage social development, model positive behaviour, engagement in their child’s learning, communicate with teachers, and offering ongoing encouragement and motivation.
In our pursuit of just getting by, sometimes the pursuit of excellence can feel overwhelming. The quote above provides me with solace that the hard work that we all do day in and day out – our habits – are building towards excellence.
Excellence is often perceived as an extraordinary feat, a moment of brilliance. We’ve all been in awe as the rugby team executes a flawless backline move to free up the winger to dive in the corner for the game-winning try, the student actor come out of his shell to embody somebody completely different, and the student up on stage achieving another Academic Gold Award. However, what is often left unseen is the hidden work that each of those people do to perform at such an excellent level – whether it be the training and diet of the rugby player, the actor rehearsing his lines and expressions to refine his performance, and the student who sets a study routine and sticks to it. The small choices that we make everyday matter and define our character and capabilities.
How can students build positive habits?
- Consistency is key – a habit requires consistency. Whether it’s dedicating time to study each day, practicing a musical instrument or engaging in physical activity – it all starts with allocating time to become part of one’s routine.
- Set realistic goals – here at St Edmund’s, we dedicate time to work on our SMART goals. By and large, students participate in the goal-setting earnestly, but some students don’t engage in their goals. Goals – short, medium and long-term – are helpful for all of us to build habits.
- Positive reinforcement – reward yourself for sticking to your habits. Celebrate your progress!
- Reflection – Take time to reflect on your habits and the impact in your life. Sometimes, goals become less important over time. Sometimes other goals become apparent and more important. Are the actions you take everyday building towards these goals?
What can educators and parents do to promote building (and maintaining) positive habits?
- Model behaviour – demonstrate the habits you wish to instil in your son or student. Whether it’s commitment to lifelong learn, punctuality or being ready for class. Leading by example is a powerful teaching tool.
- Create a supportive environment – encourage students to set goals. Celebrate success and offer constructive feedback when they inevitably face adversity.
- Promote a growth mindset – emphasise the importance of effort and resilience. Every success of failure is an opportunity to develop as a person.
Ultimately, excellence is not a destination but a journey. In our busy school community, we aspire to cultivate the habits that lead to sustained success. The more we can create an atmosphere of preparedness, learning and respect, the closer each student comes to fulfilling their potential.
Jeff Vayo
Head of Clancy House