Draw on your inner strength and to reach out to others – Advice to students as you adapt to living through Covid-19 and learning from home.
No one in their wildest imagination could have foreseen at the beginning of this school year that we would be in the current situation of shut-down across the entire country due to the Coronavirus. For young and old in all communities this is an uncertain and anxious time. Thousands of students and adult learners across Kerry and beyond are used to constant and consistent social interaction with peers and teachers/tutors in schools, colleges of further education and training, adult education centres, Youthreach and Third Level Colleges. Such interaction brings structure, guidance, reassurance, support and continuity. The current necessary social distancing poses huge challenges to students and adults and as Guidance Counsellors we want to acknowledge the extra stress that this is causing in your lives. This is particularly the case for those of you who are facing exams and those of you who are dealing with personal difficulties in your daily lives. It is important to remember that you may feel isolated but you are not alone. Educators have sprung into action to ensure that your teaching and learning can continue on online platforms. We urge you all to dig deep and to draw on your inner strength and resilience to stay focused and well during this trying time. It is equally important to reach out to others on a daily basis and stay connected with those you trust and if necessary, trained professionals. The following guidelines may help in the coming weeks.
All Students and Adult learners
Keep a school-like structure to your day. Check online for daily/weekly assignments and set yourself a deadline to have them done. Remember what you are learning now, albeit in a different way is a building block towards subsequent years.
Get exercise and fresh air.
Stay connected with friends and family by phone or social media but filter the amount of negative news you read and maintain a healthy balance with screen time.
Read a book, keep a journal, listing 3 things you are grateful for at the end of each day.
Use meditations, breathing or mindfulness exercises to relax
Listen to music that you enjoy and engage with hobbies that adhere to social distancing.
For those in need of professional support contact local counselling service or helplines such as The Samaritans or Childline where you will find a listening ear and some guidance on where to access appropriate support.
Exam Students
As well as the tips outlined above it is important to remember that even though there is a lot of speculation about what will happen with the Junior & Leaving Certificate Examinations and college exams, we only focus on the confirmed changes announced by the Minister for Education in relation to practicals and orals. Be rest assured that the State Exams Commission and other examining bodies will base any decisions they have to make on ensuring the mental and physical health of students as a top priority.
Use this time of uncertainty as critical revision time - each evening plan what you want to revise the following day – the subjects and topics
Email school & adult education staff on work emails with any questions.
Use websites that are useful for exam students such as www.examinations.ie and www.studyclix.ie to look at past papers, marking schemes and sample answers.
The current crisis is unprecedented and a cause of distress. Try to remember that while the country acts to control the spread of the virus all we can do as individuals is to do our very best to care for ourselves. The current situation may be out of our control but how we deal with is very much within it. Try to remain positive by doing the things that help to make you feel better, albeit in a different way. Remember that the current crisis will pass in time and the future is bright for all of you. This will test you personally and academically but you as part of the Class of 2020 will survive it with a new-found resilience.