All my students have made their year. How did they do it?

This is the time of year when I review and revise my practice. I measure my success by the improvement and success of my clients. Right now, I am feeling very, very good. All of my students have made their year. 

    How did they do it, despite the sudden shift into COVID land and 5 terms of shifting, unpredictable rules, 18 months of uncertainty? I’d like to share with you the points from my notes on what they did that saw them through.

    Eighteen months ago, the rules changed. Usually the first and second years are the hardest in most programs, and if you make it through to the third year, you will likely finish the program. But classes changed, grading changed, labs weren’t certain, technology and everyone’s comfort with it (including instructors)—everything was all over the map for everyone.

    Students told me that not knowing was the hardest part. Acceptance into residence? How to handle labs? On campus, from home? How to do exams? Where to wear masks? Take a gap year? Which courses would be on line? What about my job? How will I pay for this if my job hours are cut?

    How long will this last?

    Suddenly I’m shut in–Will my relationship last?

    Will my family be okay?

It was very tough, and very anxiety raising. Panic set in. 

And my students dealt. We took what were very big, unpredictable, seemingly unmanageable projects, and dealt.

It wasn’t rocket science. We took each course down to routine, structure, and motivation. Keeping on those elements session after session with my students, time passed. They learned to adapt. When new unexpecteds arrived, they took a gulp, went through the “how-am-I-ever-going-to-do-this” phase, and . . . chunked down. Focussed on their daily lives. Revised plans. Rescheduled. Kicked up self-awareness of their mental health status.

My students made use of the resources available to them–me (of course), student services, tech support, family and friend communication, instructor emails, and self-rewards.

Yeah Nobody had an ideal term. But my students have been surprised at what they have been able to accomplish. They have developed the skills for dealing with change, stress, setbacks, and game-changing unpredictability.

And they know now that they can do this.

 That’s my story. I’d like to hear yours: [email protected]