Student Wellbeing
How to use a school closure to surge ahead academically
The probability of school closures to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is a major challenge for secondary school students.
It is tempting to view this as an extended holiday with time for crashing out on the couch, binge watching, social media, and consuming as many snacks as you can get your hands on.
Now I don’t wish to throw a dampener on students party plans but if they decide to veg out and not work, they might regret it later. Here are a few ideas to consider.
Develop and keep to a system
Goals are good but systems are better. Decide on your study program system for the next few weeks and stick to it. Consider when you learn and think best and don’t fritter those hours away.
If you don’t develop a system, you are relying on waking up in the morning and saying to yourself, ‘Great, I can’t wait to get some study done today!’ I don’t know you but I wouldn’t like to place a bet on that happening very often.
Developing a system that works also sets you up for being a self-reliant learner after you have left school.
This is a chance to catch up not drop back
The first part of the year has been busy with ideas and papers flying in all directions. Use this time firstly to get some order into your life.
Make sure your notes are coded and in the correct folders.
Build your Learning Strengths
Students can analyse their learning strengths at my www.mylearningstrengths.com and use the information to build on what you are already good at. Obtain a copy of the full Learning Strengths report to learn how to use your strengths to develop in other areas. By using your brain correctly you can get better outcomes.
Extend your thinking
Ask teachers to provide you with a list of forthcoming topics. Read related texts. Research future topics. Use google scholar to find related articles. If there are concepts you that seem difficult to understand search for students explaining these ideas for the benefit of other students. Email or phone your teachers. They will have resources that can help you.
Conversations deepen ideas
Use Microsoft Teams to engage in classroom conversations with your teacher and classmates.
Decide not to turn into a Learning Zombie
You’ve seen them – sleep deprived, screen obsessed, brains clouded by sugars, fats and carbs bouncing between energy drinks and exhaustion. Keep yourself learning and life ready by looking after yourself.
Your brain uses at least 20 per cent of your energy so give it good ‘fuels’ to run on. Eat a healthy breakfast to get yourself ready for learning.
Sip water regularly. Not only does it hydrate your brain and body, it also lowers stress.
Even if you are housebound give yourself a good physical exercise regime a few times a week.
Keep in touch
If you are isolated from your friends, it is easy to fantasise that they are having a wonderful time. Sometimes you can ever start thinking they have forgotten about you.
Even if you are not the most confident person, reach out to others. Invite them to have conversations with you. Share ideas or jokes.
This won’t last forever
The world has had viruses in the past and will have some more in the future. We all need to be more careful to regularly wash our hands and keep our hygiene and health levels up. While I don’t want you to take unnecessary risks, the chances that you or someone in your family becomes seriously sick is very low.
We’ll be back to more usual times soon.
This article is a summary of a blog post by Andrew Fuller.
If you or your son would benefit from counselling support during this uncertain period, you are welcome to get in touch by calling 9575 8100 or emailing gvlamakis@sjcbe.catholic.edu.au
George Vlamakis
Student Counsellor