Roadblocks, Hurdles and Speed Bumps

For some, it was a change of heart in the selection of an elective. For others it was the course was too easy and for the remaining, the course was too difficult. Having experienced life in the middle for many years, I knew it was a delicate balance in understanding the concern and not hitting the panic button just yet. With only a few weeks under our belt in the 2016 – 2017 school year, I knew we had to give it more time.

 

What I have found over the years is that many students have the ability to go through elementary school without putting in much effort into their studies. They are naturally smart and get by on their intellect. For a smaller portion of students, they can do the same in the beginning of middle school but there comes a point where the minimal effort can only get them so far. They realize that the amount of effort does not equal the same grades as before because the level of difficulty has increased. What some fail to realize, or know how to deal with, is that the amount of effort has to increase. Students that don’t know how to overcome the obstacle find it easier to avoid the obstacle and that will catch up with them later on in life. It will also be more detrimental the older they are. Throughout my experience, I have come across three types of situations where students face some adversity that range in difficulty, starting with the most difficult. I classify them as: “Roadblocks,” “Hurdles,” and “Speed Bumps.”

 

THE ROADBLOCK:

The “roadblock” is something so difficult that students feel they cannot overcome it. No matter how much effort and time they put in, they feel they are NEVER going to “get it” so they have to go out of their way around it. The response could be avoidance, not doing it, pretending it isn’t there (similar logic to how my three-year-old son Anderson will put his hands over his eyes and think that I can’t see him because he can’t see me) or finding something else that would get them away from having to face the challenge. Here is where the request for schedule change comes in. Students much rather not have to face the difficulty so they avoid it completely.

 

THE HURDLE:

A “hurdle” is something in their way that takes a good amount of effort to overcome and eventually, usually after somewhat exhaustive efforts, they make it. The main thing to note is the major amount of effort here. Again, it’s easier to pack it in and call it a day but the students push forward, sees the light at the end of the tunnel and makes slow progress on it which eventually leads to success. Similar to a runner, the student has to speed up with the effort but pace themselves so they don’t fall flat on their face. It’s like the “little engine that could” as it tries to get over the mountain.

 

 

THE SPEED BUMP:

A “speed bump” is a challenge that slows them down a bit but is relatively easy to pass. The students recognize the challenge but doesn’t let it get too far in the way. The main concern with speed bumps is to not turn them into hurdles or road blocks. Remember, you don’t want to make a mountain out of a mole hill.  Students who overcome speed bumps recognize the small victory as it serves as a good reference point for when issues become hurdles or road blocks.

 

Obviously at some point in their educational career a student is going to struggle. Struggling is a good thing. It will force them to find ways to overcome it. It will prepare them for the real world. While I understand there is a fine line between a challenge and an out-right difficult class, how students go about facing these challenges is important and it will set them up for future success or failure. Epictetus once said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Students cannot let the roadblocks, hurdles and speed bumps derail them through this journey. They must forge on, dig deep and put in the effort to overcome the obstacle. That doesn’t mean they have to rush off to get a tutor but it does warrant a conversation with their teacher and from what I have experienced, a few minutes one-on-one can go a long way to clearing up the debris and allowing the student to pass through.