Let’s face it, virtual schooling (AKA remote learning) is less than ideal. 

We have now been in COVID (and thus – quarantine schooling) for 10 months. When it started last spring, we were hopeful that this would be a blip on the radar and a short lived attempt to FLATTEN THE CURVE.

But here we are in February, and we know that for most students, virtual schooling is still not ideal. 

“Remote Learning”…

as we have come to call it compounds our regular academic frustrations. Previously when we didn’t understand, or had a challenge, or needed help, we had a “bag of tricks” to pull from. Back then we might raise our hand, approach the teacher before or after class, ask for an extra study hall, or even spend time with friend figuring it out! 

But now we are “learning remotely.” It seems like everything is condensed, or now we’re hybrid, where some people are inside the school and some people are home, or we’re in sometimes, and we’re out sometimes…it’s all very confusing.

Additionally it makes anything that we are trying to do academically that is difficult already, that.much.harder. 

THE THREE C’s for OVERCOMING ACADEMIC CHALLENGES DURING COVID! 

These three things will help you overcome ANY obstacle – academic or otherwise – COVID or no COVID. 

CALM

Even saying the word, I have to take a deep breath. And that is what we all need to do. We need to take a deep breath, and remember that we have to stay calm, if we’re really going to make progress. There are many studies that confirm… a stressed mind is not as capable of learning. When you start to feel anxious, stressed or upset, about whatever subject it is that you’re tackling, you need to take a step away. 

When you feel this way, our mind is not ready to do what it needs to do to be successful in that moment. 

As we focus on CALM, this is the perfect time to focus on AFFIRMATIONS to help us succeed. A few that I used with my daughter this week are 

• I am capable of learning. 
• I am a critical thinker. 
• I am a problem solver. 
• I have done hard things before I will do hard things again. 
• I can do this.

Take time to refocus your mind on what you are capable of, while breathing – and you will be able to start with a fresh mind and a calm spirit that can lead you to success. 

COMMUNITY

Even if you don’t realize it, you are surrounded by people who want to see you succeed! The people in our life are not waiting for us to fail. They want good things for us. Whether it is your parents, your teachers, your neighbors, your extended family, your religious community … these people want to see you succeed! 

I have had clients and moms come to me and say,

“my mom doesn’t understand this math. And so how am I supposed to figure it out?”

I get it. There are times when I have to relearn things to try and help my daughters with their work. 

This is where you can employ your community to help find OTHER people that can help you. Your community CAN HELP YOU …whether it’s finding resources on the internet, or connecting with coworkers that they know that might be able to help, or neighbors or relatives, perhaps EVEN the actual teacher who also wants you to succeed! 

Remember to lean on your community. 

CREATIVE

Get creative with how you’re learning the material. We get stuck in a rut thinking this is the ONE WAY we learn math. …And this is how we do history. And this is how we do reading. And this is how we do writing. 

Do me a favor and THROW THAT OUT THE WINDOW for a second…especially when you are up against an academic challenge! 

INSTEAD think: 

What could make this fun? How can I be creative and do something new? 

Can I use Sharpie markers instead of a pencil?

Can I make it into a game?

Can I quiz someone else?

Can I work out while I’m reading this material to engage my mind and my body at the same time? 

Brainstorm with your community! What are things you can do to make it fun and be creative?

CALM, COMMUNITY, CREATIVE 

These three things will help you overcome any academic challenges you are facing both NOW and once COVID is over. 

These three things will help you overcome ANY challenges you are facing as a tween or teen … and into adulthood! 

It is important to start utilizing the THREE C’s NOW – because there’s always going to be another challenge or obstacle to overcome. 

COVID has changed our world. It’s changed our lives. It’s definitely changed our schools and how we learn. 

You can use these three C’s (CALM, COMMUNITY & CREATIVE) to change yourself in a good way, helping you through COVID and to achieve POST-COVID success! 

I believe in you. Keep choosing your thoughts. Keep thinking about, dreaming about, and creating a life that you want to live… because I know that you will change the world.