CIMSPA Youth Panel - Useful tips for enhancing your learning experiences
The CIMSPA Youth Panel would like to highlight some of their useful go to tips for enhancing learning experiences through the hybrid learning environment as it draws closer to the return to college and university.
It’s useful to remind ourselves that others will be experiencing similar feelings of anxiety, so surrounding yourself with like-minded people will help promote positive conversations around our anxieties. Equally, colleges and universities will have their own policies to manage the risks upon returning to campus. Keeping yourself informed and updated on your own specific channels will also alleviate some additional stresses.
“I’m a PhD student so not a traditional student but do spend a lot of time on campus during pre covid times. I’m genuinely looking forward to getting back to campus and I think a lot of anxiety has been adressed by clear communication from the university. My university has also taken proactive policies to limit the “bubbles” of people on campus at a time, e.g lead lectures of more than 30 students will be held online while smaller seminar groups will be held on campus.” CIMSPA Youth Panel member
“My struggle is with distance learning, especially when starting a new course at a new university.” CIMSPA Youth Panel member
There are many things that you can do to improve your anxiety for returning. Grounding techniques are great for when your mind is racing and your emotions are overwhelming.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can feel
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Happy place
Find an environment in a safe space, get comfortable and engage in either reading a book, litening to music or if you are someone who enjoys going out for a walk, enjoy the process from getting ready to being out and about.
Focus technique
Identify a small object and notice when holding the item in your hands with your eyes closed and take notice of how it feels, its texture, weight, temperature, open your eyes and notice its colour, shape and patterns.
In summary as the return back to college and university draws closer bare in remember these techniques and share them with others. If you or someone you know is experiencing high levels of anxiety around your return please speak to family, friends and your lecturers as everyone is there to support you.
CIMSPA Youth Panel