Though this topic was recommended to me by a subscriber to this blog, I am writing it as much as a reminder to myself as I am writing it to share with all of you.
After our November quiz, the weekends get very busy. First up is Thanksgiving. A week later, my District participates in the St. Louis Top 10 quiz tournament. Not too long after that is Christmas followed one week later by New Year’s Day. So, like many of you, our District does not have a December quiz. For our small District, the St. Louis Top 10 quiz is our December quiz. But as God continues to bless our ministry, we continue to grow in numbers. So much so in fact that for the first time ever we will have more teens not quizzing at the St. Louis tournament than those who will be quizzing.
After our November quiz, the weekends get very busy. First up is Thanksgiving. A week later, my District participates in the St. Louis Top 10 quiz tournament. Not too long after that is Christmas followed one week later by New Year’s Day. So, like many of you, our District does not have a December quiz. For our small District, the St. Louis Top 10 quiz is our December quiz. But as God continues to bless our ministry, we continue to grow in numbers. So much so in fact that for the first time ever we will have more teens not quizzing at the St. Louis tournament than those who will be quizzing.
Over the years, I’ve observed and have heard from many of you that teens who don’t quiz in December often lose momentum well before their January quiz. In fact, it’s common that some drop out altogether. To combat the inertial dampening effects of the holidays, here are 5 simple ideas to keep your program moving forward and teens motivated between now and your January quiz meet:
1. Keep Up With The PRactices!
Don't take a break except for maybe Christmas and New Year's.
Depending on how many new chapters will be added for your January quiz, you can add in a few “Review” or “Off” weeks to your study plans, but still show up for practice.
Without those week-to-week study goals, there is a high tendency to procrastinate, which leads to falling behind, which leads to dropping out.
Depending on how many new chapters will be added for your January quiz, you can add in a few “Review” or “Off” weeks to your study plans, but still show up for practice.
Without those week-to-week study goals, there is a high tendency to procrastinate, which leads to falling behind, which leads to dropping out.
2. Provide Some Interesting Awards During PRactices
With the next quiz meet so far away, you may need to inspire the teens to keep studying. They will want to procrastinate (“I can catch up during Christmas break”), but perhaps prizes at your November and December practices will be the right button to push them to keep current with their studies.
3. Play Different Types of Games During Practices
You should do this anyway to keep it interesting. But if you don’t do this, give it a try between your November and January quizzes. Find some game ideas here.
4. Send Weekly Reminders To Keep Studying (Text or Email)
We all need reminding. For example, tell them: "Remember to study chapter 14 this week!". Or try something more specific: “Read chapter 14 twice every day this week and review 40 practice questions on Tuesday and Thursday.”
It's more work for you, but be their "study buddy", reminding and encouraging them to keep up their great effort.
It's more work for you, but be their "study buddy", reminding and encouraging them to keep up their great effort.
5. Have Them Fill Out the Youthquiz.com Crossword And Word-search Puzzles Each Week For a Small Prize
At the end of each practice, hand out the crossword and word-search puzzles for the next week's study chapter. Give them a small prize (candy, $5 Chick-fil-A gift cards...) for turning it in at next week's practice. This does 2 things:
1. They will study at least some during the week to fill out the crossword puzzle
2. They will come to the next practice!
1. They will study at least some during the week to fill out the crossword puzzle
2. They will come to the next practice!
Yes, these are fairly basic ideas. So if you are already doing these, my message to you is don’t stop! Keep the ball rolling through this part of the Quiz year. More so than any other time of the quiz season, it has the most potential to knock your plans off-course or come to a screeching halt. Don't let the holidays activate your teens' inertial dampeners! Keep moving forward!
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