Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer

Just Do It!

When you first see or hear these three words, you instantly think of Nike, the sportswear company. This slogan has become synonymous as the tagline for a range of products and athletes. However, these three words are not just a slogan. I feel they can be a powerful message.

For example, the alarm went off at 5am this morning (a sleep in for the rowers) and I contemplated getting up and facing my training session. I would have rather slept in. We all often have that feeling where we would rather take the easy option. It is useful when these feelings occur to disregard your thoughts and just go. If I get started on a task, in this case, just get up, I can then focus on what I am doing. What felt like a drag before I got started turns into positive feelings about what I am about to do.

It is Week 5 of the ten-week term, and assignments are upon us and exams are just four weeks away. We have spent the first part of the term getting to know new teachers and classmates, identifying new ways of working, getting organised, celebrating our academic achievements and talking about how we want to improve. However, the time for talk is over. Just Do It!

How? Take a small step first. Complete all your homework; start your revision now by doing some questions from last week’s work, read back over the notes you took two weeks ago, attend the staff tutoring sessions (timetable on the College App), log your study hours in your diary and ask your teacher for assistance.

Our Year 12 students have completed their first exam block. This new timing of the exam block reflects the assessment timings required for the new QCE system. Year 12 students started work for this exam block in Term 4 Year 11, when they commenced Unit 3. While this exam block has now finished, the cohort has several assignments/projects/Maths IA2 exams due through the remainder of the term.

With a busy assessment period looming for all students, whatever you choose to do…. Just Do It!