By now, the majority of area high schools have resumed and college students are making their way back to campus. For the most part, everyone is starting with a clean slate. No one is behind on homework. Everyone is passing their classes. Some have the highest grades they will have all year.
With my youngest daughter starting high school this week, we talked about staying on top of her homework, not putting the work off until the last minute, and asking her teachers for help so she can get it done and get it done right.
Of course, this came after a summer of nagging and cajoling to get her summer homework done. As my kids work their way through the school system, my husband and I have tried to instill the idea that it is better to get something done sooner rather than later.
Yet, every year the same thing happens. They have required summer reading for their English classes, which entails an essay or report about the books in question. And without fail, the week before school starts, the day before school resumes, heck, even the morning of the first day....they are sitting at their desks, frantically trying to finish their reports.
It is especially worse their junior year of high school - when they have their own dad as a teacher and the debate about the books and the essays happens over the dinner table.
But procrastination isn’t just limited to those returning to school. I have found it to be a life-long habit, a habit that is hard to break. Yet, I am holding out hope that if we can learn the habit of procrastination, we can also learn the habit of getting things done on time - and reduce stress - with just a few changes.
Be first.
Maybe it is volunteering first to host a group where everyone will host at some point. Maybe it is giving a speech first in class. Maybe it is writing an article first for an organization you belong to. When there is an option, there are many reasons to go first.
For starters, expectations are low. You don’t have the worry of going after someone who has knocked it out of the park. You get to set the bar as high - or low - as you want.
But more importantly, it is one less thing weighing on your mind. When you get something done first, it can be a relief, especially knowing others still have to complete the task.
Make your bed.
If you get nothing else done the rest of your day, you have accomplished one thing if you make your bed first thing in the morning. And it sets the tone for the rest of the day, knowing that you have done at least one thing already.
It only took me 20 years, but my husband makes the bed every morning after we are both up. And it is simply soothing to walk into our bedroom to a well-made - mostly - bed.
I’m still in a battle with my kids, who use the argument that I remember saying growing up: Why make your bed when you are just going to mess it up that night? One battle at a time.
Eat the frog.
Finally, one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is “eat the frog” (and it is a great visual).
To put it bluntly, you should eat the frog before anything else, because it can only get better from there. In other words, if you have something unpleasant or burdensome or something you have simply been putting it off, you should do it first thing in the day because then everything after that is going to be easy or at least relatively better in comparison.
There is even a work-out facility called “Eat the Frog” Gyms, which I thought was brilliant because who really likes to work out. As someone who works out first thing in the morning, I do it because it is one thing I can cross off my to-do list. And while I don’t hate exercise, I do find myself counting down the laps until I can get to my coffee club.
So good luck to all the returning students, teachers and school staff. I hope it is a year filled with success, achievements and getting things done...in a timely manner with - or without- eating a frog.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
