Idea File Fall 2024

32 | Feature: Time-Saving Tips

Copy That. Laughing at a headline edit they missed, Athens Drive Magnet High School yearbook editors and seniors Clare Roth, Izzy Luck and Aubrey Wood review hard copy proofs with their yearbook adviser, Elizabeth Luna, as their final deadline approaches. Part of their proofing process included printing off hard copies of their pages to place alongside digital files. They used this to check names, make final adjustments and ensure accurate coverage. Photo by Lucy Beal

Promote Teamwork & Accountability Teens love to hide. They hide behind computer screens, phones, unanswered emails, bathroom stalls and even bad attitudes. Often, they hide because they are procrastinating, but sometimes they hide because they don’t feel comfortable asking for help. Pull them out of hiding and offer help by developing a routine of weekly spread sharing. As you approach a deadline, project each spread and talk about what still needs to be finished. The main focus of these discussions is to showcase work and check progress. If a staff member is having trouble getting a quote from a student, this is their time to ask for help. Chances are someone in the classroom can get the missing information before the next check-in. HERE’S THE TIP : In the early days of a deadline cycle, do not criticize for incomplete work, but rather provide suggestions for different approaches. This practice not only instills accountability, but a lot of times the missing information can be completed with a little teamwork.