Back to School – The Pandemic Edition

Back to school has always been a dreadful yet wonderful season students look forward to when summer is almost at its end. From the tailoring of uniforms to book shopping and from dashing hairstyles or trims to the perfect shoe fit. Children all over Jamaica are ready to look “splash out” for their first day. However, this year has a dynamic change as compared to the years before. Now we have to condition our minds as we may have mixed approaches to physical and online school and also towards the teaching and learning process. Let us discuss five tips that can help us get into the frame of mind for this new school year.

Be prepared- Preparation is key and is a way of showing that you are ready for whatever may come your way. The pandemic has changed many things especially our way of life, therefore, being prepared or continuing to prepare for similar occurrences may not be such a bad idea. While we may have knowledge as it relates to physical preparation we must also be mentally prepared towards going back to school or continuing online teaching. The pandemic is here and we have no idea when it will be under total control or completely gone. So using our experience from last year let’s weather this storm better this year.

Show awareness- In order for life to go back to the way it used to be we have to show awareness towards the current pandemic. Children should be aware of the basic rules and regulations as it relates to the Covid-19 protocols while in public spaces and within the school. These can be reinforced by parents, teachers, guidance counsellors, and other civilians. While this can be extremely difficult it can be a reality where we work together to remain Covid free. Showing awareness means we are not ignorant of what is happening around us.

Be kind- The pandemic isn’t the only thing that is keeping us apart and it is not the only trouble families have been facing. Life has become more of an emotional rollercoaster due to the negative effects of the Corona Virus. Many individuals returning to school know someone or know of someone who has contracted the virus and even someone who may have died. Families are still broken, unemployment rates are still high and violence is still on the rise among many other obstacles we have been facing prior. Showing kindness during this time can speak so much volume about your character and make the transition of ‘back to school’ easier.

Be determined- At the beginning of the school year, we tend to have this drive or zest to do our best. We tend to show positivity and be in high spirits but in the mid-term, that spirit tends to die. It is important that we show resilience and have the same form of determination we had at the beginning of the school year. I know this might seem impossible but when everything seems to be going wrong that is the time you MUST KEEP GOING.

Make personal goals- In order to do better in school and even in life overall, we must set personal goals for ourselves. We must form standards that we set for ourselves which will improve our self-growth and self-worth. We tend to feel some remnants of self-actualization when we have small and even large successes. As you embark on the new school year, set your personal goals (smart and attainable ones), stick to them, and build your self-esteem. It is yet another school year in a pandemic. We must get ready for the road ahead of us and be strong that we will make it no matter what it takes. Victory is sweeter when the battle has been extremely rough. Hang in there guys; the best is yet to come!