Imagine....you have been given a multi step assignment like a research paper, a PowerPoint presentation, or a task like applying to college. You have plenty of time before the final due date but for some reason you are doing anything besides starting the assignment. Thinking about the looming deadline is creating increasing anxiety and you are becoming frustrated with yourself and others when you think about it.
STOP
It doesn't have to be this way. Below you will learn some strategies to start these types of multi-step assignments independently, but first let's understand why they can be so hard.
Common reasons why it is hard to start assignments:
The first step is not always stated. For example- the first step of many writing assignments is actually to brainstorm ideas so you know what to write about. However the brainstorming phase is rarely listed explicitly in directions. Many student's are expected to simply do that step automatically, but many won't sense that implied process.
Overwhelm. Multi-step assignments include many different steps that are often lumped into one direction sheet. Student's have to be able to sort out the necessary steps, create their own schedule, and get help when needed all on their own.
The directions are a little confusing. Sometimes the directions can be outlined and reviewed repeatedly, and there are still parts that are confusing to well meaning students. Additionally grading criteria or rubrics are often in a separate document than directions, and students may need to review these on their own. Many student's don't have the communication skills required to clarify and may be embarrassed to admit they don't understand something. So instead student's may avoid the assignment altogether.
Student's may lack motivation for several reasons. They may not be confident in themselves and their ability or they may not be interested in the content. The assignment may seem like it will take an excessively long time and so the student does not even want to start. Developing motivation takes time and must be based on individual goals and sometimes realistic incentives.
So what do we do? The answer will be a little different for each person but some tried and true strategies that can help are:
Do a brain dump and brainstorming session at the beginning of multi step assignments, especially if the student struggles with overwhelm and anxiety. Encourage the student (or yourself) to be very honest and write out everything that comes up- questions about directions, lack of confidence in skills or specific parts of the assignment, and their general feelings.
Then organize the brain dump- schedule time to get help from the teacher at office hours or tutoring sessions, identify questions to ask during those sessions, make a list of items and organize them into a sequence that makes sense, and set visual reminders of when to work.
Get very clear and task specific when scheduling work time. For example- "work on project" may be too vague for many students and they may end up frozen and unsure how to start. Instead, "create PowerPoint and enter headings" or "make copy of outline and complete first section" is a much clearer objective.
Practice explicit communication strategies. So many student's with executive functioning challenges are embarrassed to communicate that they need help or don't know something. Some believe they should already know how to do something and so they don't want to draw attention to themselves and their knowledge gaps, and some simply do not have experience in communicating with teachers or professionals to know what to say. Creating templates, role playing conversations, and watching peers navigate communication can help.
Using visual schedules and timers can be extremely helpful resources. Using a timer to expect students or yourself to finish work within a limited time period may increase anxiety, and I would recommend avoiding this. Instead use a timer to estimate how long a task will be and then checking to see how long it actually took, or use a timer to facilitate working blocks and brain breaks.
Please comment below if this resonates with you, or if you have lingering questions. Sign up here to learn more in January: Executive Functioning Reboot
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