In nautical terminology, the “doldrums” is a stretch of sea near the equator with little wind. In the old days, sailors in the doldrums ran the risk of being becalmed, stranded for weeks on end without any breeze in their sails to get them moving.
In the educational world, January and February are sometimes considered the doldrums of the school year. The excitement over new schedules and subjects in the autumn and the frenetic activity of the holiday season has died down. Students risk becoming “becalmed,” drifting without interest into boredom and apathy in their school work.
As parents and teachers, this can be a good time to offer encouragement to students whose sails look like they’re flagging.
Sometimes students need a reminder about why they’re doing this hard work. (Hint: it’s not just to get a good grade on a test.)
Sometimes students need a change of scenery to liven things up. Spend an afternoon working at the library. Take a walk if the weather is nice and do memory work outside. Find a new way to practice spelling words or Greek vocabulary.
Sometimes students need to be encouraged to just do the next right thing. Faithfulness looks like doing the same thing over and over again—a long obedience in the same direction.
Encouraging others often inspires our own courage as well. If you’re one of those adults who despises the dark rainy days and can’t wait for spring, a pep talk to students can also be a pep talk to yourself.
If we can avoid the doldrums, the winter of the school year is often a time where great progress can be made. Students have mastered their routines and can focus on mastering the skills those routines are there to support. And with a steady wind in the sails, even an ocean can be crossed.
