This past summer, I had the opportunity to go on the Global Summers, Rome & the Greek Islands program. This experience unexpectedly changed my relationship with school, and motivation. On the program, I spent three weeks studying Grade 12 Advanced Functions. At first, it sounded almost contradictory. How could something as intense as grade 12 math fit into a summer filled with excursions, tours, new cities and beach days? But that balance between travel and learning is actually what helped me find my motivation again!
Before going on the program, I was feeling extremely burnt out. During the regular school year, I was taking nine courses at once. School had started to feel repetitive, and the motivation to study and focus didn’t come naturally anymore. However, my experience this summer completely shifted that. One of the biggest differences was the small class size. Instead of being one of the many students in a crowded classroom, there were only six of us. My entire class worked together closely, helping each other through difficult problems, and answering each other’s questions. This allowed us to genuinely motivate each other to keep going, and work towards success. Learning became collaborative rather than isolating, which made a huge difference in how engaged I felt.
The structure of the program also played a major role. Classes moved at a quick pace, which forced me to stay focused and keep up with the material. At first, it was a bit challenging, but eventually it actually helped me regain momentum. There was no time to procrastinate or fall behind, as I knew each class would be about a new topic. This fast pace forced me to be motivated, as I had to work to learn the new material to ensure I would not fall behind the next day. The speed of the class also allowed me to feel more accomplished at the end of each day, knowing I had stayed on track while also experiencing a new place, which is extremely motivating.
Another major factor that helped me find motivation again was the long breaks built into the schedule. After classes, we went on excursions, explored historic cities, and spent time at the beach. These breaks gave me something to look forward to and helped prevent burnout. Instead of feeling exhausted by school and then having more work to do later, I felt refreshed, energized and ready to do more learning after our adventures!
Finally, due to such small classes, there are many opportunities to speak one-on-one with teachers, which was also incredibly motivating. Having direct access to support allowed me to ask questions freely and gain a deeper understanding of the material. It made learning feel more personal and less intimidating, which boosted my confidence and motivation.
Overall, my summer abroad truly helped me find motivation again. I wanted to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and that meant giving my education my all. I wanted to explore new places while also succeeding in the classroom. Embracing this is truly what helped me find
my motivation again!
Thank you to Student Ambassador Erin S. for writing this blog!
