Starting School on the Right Foot
Here we are in the back-to-school season. In the midst of our “new normal” pandemic lives. Regardless of if school is being held face-to-face in a school building or virtually through distance learning, we’ve never kicked off a school year in this type of environment.
Each fall, I typically share some tips for starting a school year on the right foot. This year is no different. However this year my recommendations will include ways for students to take care of themselves in ways other than purely academic or through a college preparatory lens.
Back to School in a Pandemic
This fall, perhaps more than ever before in our lifetimes, we need to pay attention to and care for ourselves and others. Academic growth and college preparation can only happen in a meaningful and lasting way when student’s basic needs are met, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. As adults and educators, we need to care for our own needs before we’re adequately able to care for others.
There is a temptation to just jump right back into the school year this fall, like we do every year. But the landscape now is vastly different than it was in previous back-to-school seasons. To have success in the approaching school year, we will need to tackle this fall intentionally.
We need to have conversations with students about belonging– conversations that connect us to one another. Whether the conversations are among family members, within classrooms, or among peers, we can encourage students to be present with each other and listen to one another. Even if only virtually. We need to address how loss associated with the pandemic has eaten away at some of our esteem and ability to self-actualize. We need to address how many are facing “double pandemics”. This is due to exposed racism, increasing economic disparities, and other systemic issues the coronavirus pandemic has revealed or intensified.
Students need to be heard, to be affirmed, to be invited to reach out when needed. And students need to be reminded of their ability to control some things (even still). Having a sense of control and feeling connected forms the foundation for a healthy resiliency. It also forms a structure on which to effectively engage in academic growth and development.
In addition to all of the back-to-school rituals and conversations that you engage in, please add time to be present with one another. Talk with your families and your teachers/students about real things, be brave enough to open up more than you might normally. There is deep and profound learning and growth that can happen if you do.
Resources with Maslow in Mind
The collection of resources below can help you to start the school year off strong.
- Starting Strong for College Preparation:
- KVP Blog “Starting Strong”
- A blog post from fall 2019 filled with tips on how to have a strong school year in your journey to college.
- KVP Blog “Starting Strong”
- Preparing for screen time and virtual meetings:
- “The Weirdness of Watching Yourself on Zoom”
- A Bard College Professor of Psychology sheds light on why virtual meetings can feel so strange. Learn about tips for surviving the differences in social cues and in seeing ourselves in a new way.
- “The Weirdness of Watching Yourself on Zoom”
- Mental health tips as pandemic life continues:
- “Your Surge Capacity is Depleted”
- Science journalist Tara Haelle explains how the nature of a pandemic taxes our innate coping strategies for dealing with trauma and crises. Tara shares specific, concrete ways to help build resiliency and maintain mental health as the pandemic continues.
- “Student Mental Health On and Off Campus” (Look for the August 25 session)
- Three renowned campus counseling professionals speak to the effects of the pandemic on secondary and post-secondary students. This webinar includes tips for students and educators in building resiliency and coping with the grief, depression, and trauma associated with the pandemic.
- Bonus: Check out Dr. Meag-gan O’Reilly’s website for her Inherent Value Psychology practice for a great blog!
- “Study Up on Ways to Avoid Back To School Anxiety”
- A Mayo Clinic psychologist shares practical ways to help students of all ages return to school in the midst of a pandemic.
- “Your Surge Capacity is Depleted”
A Reminder to Students Preparing for College
It’s okay to be sad, frustrated, upset, angry, exhausted, anxious, uncertain, insert-your-own-emotion-here. The novel coronavirus pandemic has complicated many parts of our lives. It’s normal and important to grieve the losses, both big and small. Give yourself time to be upset, angry, or however you’re feeling. And then be gracious with yourself when the grief pops up again later.
After a set time, take the reigns back from your emotions. Remind yourself that there are now and will always be things in your life that are outside of your control. Take courage in your own resiliency and ingenuity to adapt to unknown situations. Find comfort in the support and love of those around you.
We’re going to get through this! And you’re going to have great and memorable experiences in high school and wonderful opportunities for college!
There are a variety of resources on my website that can help you on your college journey. If you find that you have further questions or are interested in learning more about my services and support, please reach out.