There’s something uniquely challenging about the last term of the year. Everyone is tired; students and tutors alike, and every lesson can start to feel like pushing a boulder uphill. Motivation to commit to study slips, student attention spans shrink, and even our most enthusiastic learners start counting down the weeks. Furthermore, the season of HSC brings about a tension in the building that can permeate through the remainder of the term.

I’ve found that this time of year is less about “big academic wins” and more about small victories, keeping everybody’s spirits up, maintaining structure, and fostering connection. Kids have been working hard for months, juggling school, sports, and social lives, so their brains are begging for the massive holidays approaching. Tutors are no different; we are all in the same boat, often trying to summon enthusiasm from a half-empty tank.

A few things have helped me (and my students) stay afloat:

1. Loosen the structure without losing direction. Depending on the year of your student, end-of-year sessions can focus on review games, creative applications of what they’ve learned, or low-stakes problem-solving tasks.

2. Acknowledge the fatigue. Sometimes just saying, “I know everyone’s tired, let’s take this one step at a time,” immediately softens the atmosphere and lowers the stakes without the expectations for lessons.

3. Celebrate progress. Look back at how far they’ve come since Term 1. Highlighting growth rekindles pride and momentum for both tutor and student.

4. Prioritise connection. When energy dips, rapport keeps lessons alive. Check in, share a laugh, or let them teach you something for a change.

The truth is, the last term isn’t about sprinting to the finish line; it’s sometimes just about walking it together. If we can finish the year feeling connected, confident, and only slightly exhausted, it can not only guarantee academic success in Term 4, but lay the groundwork for the next year following.

Toby Bower