Routine is vital for exam students studying from home
PREPARING for state examinations is challenging at the best of times, but students in County Wicklow may be feeling more anxious following the decision to close schools and adopt other measures aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus.
The decision by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to close schools will have had a particular effect on Junior and Leaving Certificate classes. While we don’t know what the future may bring, exam classes have a focus on June.
Tony O’Murchu, principal of Gaelcholaiste na Mara, emphasised the importance of students maintaining a routine at home during this time with teachers doing their best to offer support.
‘It’s an unusual situation but we advised our students to keep a structure to their day. Get up early and be disciplined with your time. Dress as if you’re doing a bit of work’
As well as routine, Mr Ó Murchú said teachers are doing their best to engage with students and send them work to complete.
‘ Teachers are trying to get work corrected if they can. It’s not a substitute for a normal school day, but they are doing their best.’
While keeping on top of schoolwork is important, students should also take regular breaks during the days.
‘ They should try to keep to the normal school day and keep active physically for 30 minutes to an hour every day.’
Exercise can have a positive effect on mental health, particularly during periods of stress. Mr Ó Murchú reminded students to take time to do things they enjoy.
‘Do things that help with your mental health. This might be reading a book or listening to music. However, it’s important for students to realise that they must be careful about how much time they use their phone during the day. Try to be sensible and leave the phone or put it away during the school day.’
Students may be hoping to meet up with their friends doing this time away from school, but Mr Ó Murchú suggests they follow HSE guidelines and maintain their distance.
‘Students will have friends they would love to meet up with, but not now. It’s hard but students can keep in touch and limit their contact with one another. It’s a difficult time because you might have a lot of time to yourself but try to keep your distance.’
On Thursday, Minister for Education Joe McHugh announced the cancellation of the oral and practical assessments. Mr Ó Murchú said the cancellation was ‘disappointing as teachers put a huge amount of effort into this and as a Ghaelcholaiste, it is something where our students would be strong but I think there was no other option but to cancel. The State Examinations Commission faced a logistical nightmare to re-schedule these assessments and have taken an early call on this.
‘Some students will be gutted about the decision as the practical elements may be their area of strength, but they [the State Exams Commission] had to make a call. We have to hope that the exams go ahead in June and work on the assumption that they will go ahead.’