With the new school year underway, I want to talk about that dirty word for students -- homework.
It seems it now is a dirty word for some Ontario school boards, too, as they have placed limits on the amount of homework students can be assigned. Some have even gone so far as to ban homework altogether in the early grades.
While I can see the merits of reducing the homework burden at the elementary level, I think we do our high school students a disservice if we lessen the expectation of their workload outside the classroom.
If anything, in today's competitive global economy we need to raise the bar higher. Telling students to study more and socialize less may be easier said than done. Believe me I know, but we owe it to our young people to keep trying and not give up.
When I was in elementary school I was a pretty conscientious student who spent many a night doing at least an hour worth of homework.
In Grade 5, I can remember watching with envy from my bedroom window as my school friend Terry was playing and hanging out with other kids in the neighbourhood. I, however, stayed committed to my studies and eventually was rewarded for it.
I won the academic award for my elementary school and was accepted -- along with everyone else who passed Grade 8 -- to our local high school.
Like many elementary school friends who enter high school together, Terry and I started hanging out with different crowds and pursuing different interests. Mine was getting out more and having fun. I still wanted to get decent grades, but having a social life was certainly a much greater priority.
Playing sports let me hang with the jock crowd and my social calendar was kept busy enough to keep my head out of the books.
During my grad year, high school was a blast and I had the confident swagger seniors get when they think they have life by the tail. Sure enough, I was in for a wake up call.
For me, it happened around 3 a.m. at an all-night graduation event being held at Canada's Wonderland.
There I met up with my old elementary school chum Terry and we caught up with each other while he drank his new favourite beverage, coffee. I told Terry how I was having so much fun this past year and I asked how his final year had gone.
He sighed, and seemed relieved it was over. Turns out he had been doing at least two hours of homework a night in his final year and even more prepping for his exams, hence the coffee.
He was heading off to Queen's University to take biology and chemistry. I on the other hand was still waiting to hear back from my top school selection.
When I left him that night, I knew I had not pushed myself to anywhere close to my potential. Unlike elementary school, my high school marks mattered.
I ended up not getting into the top-tier university of my choice and there were no graduation awards or scholarships for my half- hearted effort.
Luckily, I got that wake-up call early enough to make changes and eventually was able to get on the right track.
From there, I soon realized that the years of university and post-graduation were the real party.
Nothing in high school came close to the fun times and lasting memories of those years. Independence and disposable income really are a fantastic combination!
Your greatest years of socializing and utter freedom shouldn't be in high school -- too much of your life lies ahead of you to be looking in the rear-view mirror.
It is true that not every student is bound for university or college, but all students can push themselves to reach their potential whatever that may be.
The stakes are even higher today in our competitive global economy.
Students today are not only competing with the kid sitting beside them for post-secondary spots, but also with students all around the world.
The safety net of low-skilled jobs that are held by some of the parents of today's students are now heading elsewhere and even if a high school grad can find one, it soon won't pay anywhere close to what their parents received.
So if you are in high school and sacrificing your social life as you study long hours or master your trade for our skills-based economy, don't worry, your party is up around the bend.
But if you're a student without a marketable skill, doing little work, but having an absolute blast, well enjoy, but your party may soon be over.
Want more lessons? Check out lessonsinfinance.ca
Popular Posts
Teacher Unions - You Need To Calm Down
Been tapping my thumbs quite a bit on twitter lately, as it seems many educators have expressing their concerns of various school re-opening plans. While many of my colleagues have been critical of various governments, my ire has been directed at the teacher unions and their fervent followers. Obviously, my comments have been questioned by teacher union supporters, What they fail to grasp is how a teacher and passionate public education supporter would take issue with their own unions. Perhaps a little background is in order for how my view has developed during my 20 + year career. Being politically minded, I was very interested in the teachers union and its role in public education. Early on I was voted by peers to be my schools collective bargaining rep and later a district federation VP. Here, I received further negotiation training and sat on multiple rounds of negotiations with my corresponding school board. My rose coloured, idealistic glasses were soon broken, by these experie
When The School Bell Rings - We Must Be Ready For All
Been certainly enough speculation from concerned parties about what is going to happen in Ontario Schools this fall. Since I have more than a little skin in the game, I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter. Knowing first hand as an educator and parent the vital role teachers play in the development of young minds I was very satisfied to hear that Sick Kids recommended that school return back to the classroom (with enhanced cleaning and safety measures of course) this fall. I thought this would be met with relief, and it was for some. But for many it seemed to only bring anxiety. I can understand this feeling of unease coming from some parents, but I thought educators would embrace being relevant and essential again. Teachers know the dark side of abuse and neglect that occurs in homes of the vulnerable. For these students, school is their safe space. We also know that e-learning does not work for many students with special needs and those facing tech inequity. So barring a chang
When Will This End? If You Live in The States - Early Next Year.
Update - I am an dual citizen and have discovered I have an American mindset, so I stand by my prediction, as it has come true in the U.S. and many parts of the world, but sadly not in Canada. Limited capacity in our healthcare system, little risk tolerance and the power of the collective over the individual has kept Canada in paralysis. Even with higher case counts in some states than all of Canada, red and blue America has moved on. If you are trying to find a sliver lining to this pandemic a popular one is to appreciate its historical significance. You may have been told or said to others to think of the stories you can tell your grandkids about the pandemic of 2020. Sadly, it will be a sombre tale. But it will be one that I am glad to proclaim will come to an end after one year. Yes, the pandemic will stop as soon as we decide to put an end to the pain and suffering caused. Of course I am not talking about the disease. Sorry, but that's not coming to end just yet.
This Disease Is Fought Standing Shoulder To Shoulder
I am heartened to see many videos and images this morning of Police joining with peaceful protesters in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. While racism in society is pervasive and progress toward true equality moves at a frustratingly slow pace, the relationship citizens have with those sworn with a duty to protect them is at the core of this anger. I am not a police officer and I have no family connection to law enforcement. However, like many of us I know many and some very well. I have heard their stories and have nothing, but respect for the job they do. Many of the officers I know are also black. I have deep admiration for these heroes because I would imagine their sense of duty to their communities comes with an inner battle that must be won before they join that group and don that uniform. So I am careful not to suggest solutions in policing, or offer changes to law enforcement structures that I don’t understand. I am a member of another professional tribe a
10 Ideas For The Jays New Ball Park
Kids and I have toured quite a few ball parks prior to the pandemic. Love doing the tours and taking notes of what works and doesn't. Had noted some of my observations for ideas on how to improve the Rogers Centre for baseball. With a new ball park now hopefully on its way soon, I did some revising. Ultimately, I don't believe it will be in its current location as its in too valuable a spot already. Better to leverage cheaper real estate down by the lake and build up around it. The Jays also have few options of where they could play while a new park is being built. So I expect, it will eventually end up by lake, so let's not make it another mistake. But either way here are … My top ten suggestions for the Jays new ball park... Let's end this post appropriately, with a walk off from many fans fav park - PNC.