Wellbeing and Engagement
Reigniting Motivation
Motivational speaker, Mr John Maxwell suggests that most of us have uphill dreams but downhill habits…. And that is, of course, because downhill is easy.
But what are downhill habits? Complacency, inconsistency and excuses. Perhaps no big picture vision for the future, only instant gratification. Downhill habits require little effort. As you are aware, sliding downhill takes no talent at all (unless you are competing in snow sports). Gravity does most of the work for you. The truth is – everything worthwhile in life, everything you want to receive is uphill. It is not out of reach – it is just uphill!
Feedback from students and teachers has indicated that student motivation levels have been impacted as a result of the pandemic and the rapid changes that have occurred to their learning environment. Through our Pastoral Care program, we have been focusing on learning habits that students could adopt to develop the intrinsic motivation to pursue their dreams.
Here is an article from Andrew Fuller that offers practical advice for parents on how they can assist their child to fire up their self-belief:
Reigniting your teenager’s motivation
Importance of Self-Care
As we enter another period of lockdown, it is important to reflect on your self-care practices and adjust where necessary.
Your brain and body are closely connected – looking after your body has great benefits for your mind.
- Find a balance - Don’t push yourself to breaking point
Listen to your body; when you need a rest, take a break. It is easy to let the pressure overwhelm you, but if you don’t find time to relax, you run the risk of burning out.
Exercise, meditation, or a 10-20-minute power nap will do wonders for your productivity and ability to concentrate.
- Get a good night’s sleep
Sleep is important for our bodies to recover and recharge. While it is tempting to stay up late studying/working, the best way to recover, of course, is rest.
Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and try to be consistent in the times that you go to and get out of bed.
Winding down after a long day of studying/working can be tough. To help yourself transition from work mode into sleep mode, do some light stretching and breathing exercises.
- Eat well – Energised brains are the key to effective studying
It is important that you are alert and solely focused on the task at hand for the most efficient and effective use of studying time. The more focused you are, the easier it is to retain knowledge, or showcase your knowledge in an answer.
Fuel your body with food which will slowly and steadily release glucose. For example, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables. This will ensure that you stay focused and alert for a longer duration of time. Thus, you can study effectively for a prolonged period without being attacked with a case of the munchies.
- Move your body – Exercise can help you study better
Exercise helps release dopamine, which is like your motivation molecule to stay focused and attentive. When you exercise, it increases blood flow to the brain which helps oxygenate the brain and release tension.
It is recommended that you do at least 30 minutes of exercise on most day of the week. So, try and incorporate 30 minutes of low intensity activity into your study plan for each day.
- Practise positive self -talk and live in the moment
Remember that no matter what the year has held, there is no point dwelling on past disappointments or upsetting times as all it will do is make it harder to study/work and focus on the present task. Let go of thoughts that come and go and take you away from the moment. The time for reflection on past events is not now. If you get hooked in to that story of ‘not being good enough,’ it will take you to a place of intense anxiety, low confidence and procrastination.
- Be kind to yourself – You will be okay
Become aware of your achievements and give yourself recognitions. Always remind yourself of your good qualities – that you are worthy and show yourself compassion. In the words of Brene Brown, ‘Don’t just be your biggest critic, also be your biggest champion.’ We are all just works in progress.
- Stay connected to your family
Stay connected to your family, especially during times of stress to ensure that you are not dealing with it alone. Seek feedback, ideas and advice from them. Remember that they are your board of directors, your number one fans, who are there to provide guidance, support and constructive oversight over your life journey. Just try and keep communication channels open and in a world where you can be anything, be kind to them.
Parent Webinars and Support Options
Understanding the Digital World Webinar – Tuesday 17 August
Kingston Youth Services are hosting an online parent information night that is being facilitated by YSAFE. This webinar has been developed with an appreciation of the complexities of parenting in the digital age. It will be filled with real-world and relevant information and provide a strategic-rich and practical content that can be implemented to promote a safer online environment. Please click for further details.
Understanding the digital world
eSafety Commission Resources
The eSafety Commission has prepared a number of parent resources to help them learn the latest strategies to assist children to stay safe online. In addition to resources, each term the eSafety Commission facilitates a range of parent webinars that are designed to provide up to date information on issues that are impacting the community such as cyberbullying, online gaming, unwanted contact and grooming and managing screen time. Here is a link to some of the upcoming parent webinars:
Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Student Wellbeing and Engagement