Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts to bloom. It is a time to bring new energy, to have fun, to support development in meaningful and engaging ways in everyday experiences in school or at home.
Spring naturally encourages movement, exploration, and creativity.
Spring in the high school setting is a unique mix of energy and exhaustion. Students are juggling exams, projects, extracurriculars, and looming transitions –while school staff are managing end-of-year demands.
Spring season is not just about pushing through – it’s an opportunity to reset, recharge, and refocus.
RESET
Take a break. Burnout is real and even the brief time away can improve well-being, motivation, and effectiveness. During this time, reflect instead of overhauling.
RECHARGE
Find balance and space to recharge. By doing this we set students and ourselves up for a stronger, more sustainable finish to the school year.
REFOCUS
The end of the school year can feel like a sprint. Instead, consider the gentle reminder that growth and independence happen in play, in rest, in relationships, and in everyday moments structured or unstructured. There is growth happening all season long. Students thrive when they receive just the right support and opportunities to practice skills and continue to bloom.
Spring matters. By the time spring arrives, many are experiencing increased pressures, difficulty with organization and time management, anxiety, sensory dysregulation. As we shift the focus from school skills to life skills, occupational therapy evolves beyond foundational skills. Spring is the perfect time to emphasize:
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Executive functioning (planning, prioritizing, task initiation)
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Break down long term projects
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Create realistic timelines
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Time management and organization across multiple responsibilities
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Simplify binders, folders, or digital tools
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Develop routines for tracking assignments
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Self-advocacy and communication
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Ask questions or clarification
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Make requests appropriately verbally in person or email
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Independent living skills
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Include movement (take a walk, get outdoors and in nature)
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Purposeful, functional and goal focused
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Practice self-care
Embrace the Season: Celebrate Progress and Finish Strong
Spring reminds us that growth and independence does not always happen in big ways or all at once; rather it is often slow, steady and nurtured through small, meaningful experiences. Spring is not about getting through the rest of the school year –it’s about preparing students for what is next. By supporting students where they are, not overwhelming, we are able to support one another and students as they explore, move, create, and build independence in the world around them. By stepping outside of the comfort of what you are used to, try something new and impactful. Let the season of spring bring fresh energy into daily routines.
Author: Victoria Guggenbiller, OTR/L
