Sixth-form student shares their experience of dealing with the new education set-up amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Schools and colleges across the nation have adjusted their teaching to online learning as the Covid-19 crisis continues. But although we’re coping with virtual classes and assignments, many other aspects of student life are suffering. After years of learning how to learn, it’s all been re-wired. Here’s Maya’s story of how she is coping with the dramatic changes to her education.
New start
I haven’t been in education since March, and I’m now starting at a new college. No friends, no social life. We can’t even speak to our peers or help each other with the answers. It’s scary enough starting at a new school before you even consider the challenges of living through a pandemic. Taking things one step at a time is key; don’t be too hard on yourself if, like me, you’re finding this adjustment difficult.
Self-discipline
Before the pandemic, I would go to school and learn in a classroom with lots of other students. The teachers ensured that we learnt in an interactive way, and we were always able to ask questions at the end of class. Now, I’ve got to take a lot more responsibility for my work. That includes doing independent research so that I understand the content and don’t fall behind. This is even more challenging when there’s also no collaboration between students, which negatively impacts how ideas flow and develop.
Studying from home is a challenge for any teenager who’s easily distracted by their phone, and I often find it hard to separate my time spent working from my leisure time. I used to like the differentiation from being at school and then coming home, as the change in environment helped me to focus. Whereas now, I find myself staying in bed most days when I’m unmotivated. So, how to get past this?
Learning to adapt
As the pandemic continues, I’ve begun to accept the situation and adapt to this new way of life. I want to make the most of my time as a sixth form student, and overcome the difficulties of learning in this new way. So, just like in the movies when the main character finally gets their act together, I started to force myself into a habit of getting out of bed and finding myself a study space. In lockdown, this turned out to be my kitchen table. Far away enough from my bedroom to change my headspace and get myself in study mode. I also put my phone away in my bedroom while I’m studying, otherwise I get distracted easily and end up rewarding myself with a sneaky peek after studying each slide on the teacher’s PowerPoint.
I’ve also tried to re-establish a way of working with my classmates, as this is the way I learn best and broaden my ideas. We send each other our ideas after each class, to somewhat simulate a real classroom environment when everyone would be contributing to the discussion. I can also check that I’m on the right track with my ideas this way, which makes me feel more confident in my learning.
But… What about my social life?
Of course, I’m sad that the social life at my new sixth form hasn’t gone to plan. I imagined myself going to parties, hanging out in the sixth form building, and making new connections. However, I have to remind myself that the pandemic has not just affected me, but everyone around me. Although I might not get to experience the social life of a typical Inbetweener for the time being, I’m sure I will get to soon. For now, I’ll just have to look forward to the big college parties and social gatherings. I’ll put them in my diary for next year.
So, what have I learnt?
I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my situation over lockdown, and I’ve come to realise that I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve still got my friends for company, even if it is virtual. I’ve learnt that Zoom calls aren’t too bad after all, and actually mean that I don’t have to walk outside in the rain or spend ages on a bus to meet friends or catch up with college work. I also have a lot of free time between lessons, so I have more time for myself and to socialise when possible. Result!
I hope you’re staying safe and connected during this difficult time. Remember to reach out to people if you’re struggling, as we can all support one another. For more tips on how to adapt to studying at home, take a look at our blog.
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