Don’t Just Survive October—Embrace It

September was about getting started, but October is where the real work takes shape. The excitement and newness of a new school year have worn off, and the next extended break can seem a long way away. Meanwhile, the behavior challenges and learning needs we face are in full view. No wonder October has the reputation of “slump month.”  

We may be tempted to simply endure the month, but doing so risks missing opportunities and experiences that could boost our energy, shift our attitude, and improve our perspective. What if we thought of October as an opportunity to reset, refresh, and reignite our attitude and perspective? Of course, taking advantage of what the month can offer may require some adjustments. Here are five accessible strategies to transform October from “slump month” to “momentum month.” 

Create energy with novelty. Finding even something small to change can make an outsized difference in our attitude. Maybe we can shift a routine that isn’t working well and replace it with something that better reflects the needs and interests of the students we now know. A new questioning technique, a different way for students to demonstrate what they have learned, or a new seating configuration may be enough to inject new energy and spark enthusiasm—for students and us. 

Transform endurance into vitality. Preoccupation with what lies far into the future can be overwhelming. Breaking down what lies ahead into smaller, more manageable chunks can build a sense of control and confidence. For example, we might set a few short-term goals such as “By the end of the month, every student will be able to…” or “For the next two weeks, we are going to focus on…” A specific focus and finish line can make a big difference in how we approach and feel about the weeks ahead.  

Deepen student relationships. We started the year focused on getting to know students and forming initial relationships. Now is a good time to deepen those relationships. We might commit to learning at least one new thing about each student over the next month. We might notice a change, learn about an interest, or celebrate an area of improvement. What we notice and learn can create new energy and appreciation for the work we do and the students we do it with.  

Schedule something fun. Life is better when there is something to look forward to. We might design a month-long challenge or project with a concluding celebration. Or we can schedule a special guest, field trip, or novel learning experience. Of course, we might schedule something special for us to look forward to as well. Anticipation can be a great source of energy. 

Learn and try something new. October should be a month for learning as well as doing, for us and our students. We might try a new strategy or technique we are interested in. We might watch a colleague demonstrate an approach that works well for them and holds potential for us. Exploring and learning something new can be great ways to counter October fatigue.  

Manage your energy and your time. What can make October so difficult is that it comes at a time of the year when we have given much but have yet to experience much in return. The beginning of the year required extensive planning, arranging, guiding, and doing, but the return on our initial investment may not materialize until later in the year. Now is a good time to take stock of where our time and energy are going and look for opportunities to manage both better. For example, what recurring task, habit, or commitment might you eliminate? Are there jobs or responsibilities you could delegate or automate? What might be shortened or simplified? Making changes in these areas can free up energy, recapture time, and offer a better sense of control.  

September is a month of establishing. October can be a month of reinforcing, refreshing, and reigniting. Rather than settling for just getting through, October can be a time to create momentum.