Back to School?
The past three months have seen the biggest disruption to UK education in history. As Covid-19 made its way through the UK, the government took the difficult decision to close all schools on 21st March 2020 until further notice. From the 15th June, the government has encouraged all secondary schools in England to reopen and provide some face-to-face time for Year 10 and Year 12 students. The reason for this decision being that, while the threat of Covid-19 is still very real, the long-term effects of a disrupted education on these two crucial year groups would be catastrophic.
While schools are taking every precaution and implementing strict rules that adhere to government public health guidance, ultimately the decision to return to school is a personal one that should be made by parents and students together. The re-opening of schools is there to supplement online remote learning, not replace it.
Should you decide to return to school, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you are making the most of the next few weeks of the school term.
Make sure you have a clear line of communication with your teachers. Expressing to them what you would find most useful to do and learn about in lessons will ensure they have a clear plan and that you are getting the most out of your face-to-face time with them. Of course, encourage your friends and classmates to do the same so you can all benefit from this time.
Make sure you are up to date with your work. Remote learning is a new experience for students and teachers alike and may have resulted in students falling behind on work. Before returning to school, make sure you are up to date with all the work that has been set so as to ensure you know where your weak points are. This way, you will be able to get help and advice from your teacher in the classroom.
Try to embrace the “new normal”. Going back to school will be a different experience to ever before. Try to embrace the changes in place best you can and instead focus on your studies. There will come a time when you will be able to stand close to and hug your friends again, but for now this opportunity is there to help you succeed during this crucial academic year.
If you are unable to return to school that is absolutely fine, you will still be able to engage with your studies.
Make sure you are sticking to a routine. If you haven’t been doing this, there’s no better time than now to start! Challenge yourself to work during normal school hours for content learning and to work during normal after school hours to complete set tasks.
Make sure you set time aside. Along with your school work, it is important to allow yourself time to indulge in hobbies (and Netflix) as well as physical activity. Alongside this, take some time to find out about any webinars, online work experience or online courses and lectures that focus on your career plans which may be on offer by universities or organisations.
Keep lines of communication open with your teachers. Reach out to them if there is a topic you are struggling with as they will still be able to help you and provide you with resources and information.
Once back at school, there are a few things, as an aspiring medic, you can do which will benefit you.
Form a discussion group with your peers. Whether you have been keeping notes on the current health crisis facing the country or indulging in books and documentaries, a discussion group would enable you to critically reflect on what you have been learning and share ideas.
Seek out your university advisor and ask them any questions you may have about the application process. During the last few months you should have been thinking about making a start on your Personal Statement and researching the application process for studying Medicine. If you are unsure about anything, make sure you take advantage of being back in school to ask your teachers.
Form an application support group with your peers. In addition to a discussion group, it would be beneficial for you to also have an application support group that could offer a support system when undertaking the next steps in applying to study Medicine. Within the group, you could help each other with Personal Statements and entry exam revision.
Just a reminder, all of the above can also be done virtually should you or a peer be unable to go into school. There is no reason for anyone to miss out!
Stay safe and have an amazing week, whatever you are doing.
Annaliza Battiston, Sixth Form Achievement Co-ordinator at City of London Academy Southwark