Nurture their spirits

Modern educational frameworks must incorporate innovative strategies and resources to help students navigate an increasingly challenging world

DAdmissions open Mahindra University’s School of Law will hold its MU law entrance test (MULET 2024) on March 24 for its integrated fiveyear B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) and BBA, LL.B. (Hons.) programmes. For course details, eligibility and other information, visit https://bitly.ws/3fDd6

The University of Hull, the

U.K., invites applications for its twoYear B.A. (Hons) in Primary Teaching Studies.

Eligibility: Between 60% and 70% from Indian boards of education. IB Diploma between 28 and 30.

Deadline: August 31 https://bitly.ws/3fDcN

Indian School of Hospitality invites applications for its Postgraduate Programme in Hospitality Management in alliance with Les Roches. Eligibility: Graduates in any stream with good soft skills https://bitly.ws/YG3z

The University of Sheffield, the U.K., invites applications for its threeyear Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering BEng course, scheduled to commence in September 2024.

Eligibility: 75% to 80 % for Indian students (depending on the board); Maths and a Science subject in Class 12. IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Dear Celine,

There are several courses to build a foundation in design for various career options. Talk to professionals in the field and gain insights into the different paths available. After Class 10, enrol in diploma courses in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Product Design. See what you enjoy and what you want to pursue. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare offer a range of designrelated course across web design, U◣/UI Design, Animation, and so on.

Consider certification courses in software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and AutoCAD to enhance your technical skills. Some institutes also offer foundation courses that help you build fundamental skills in drawing, sketching, colour theory, and design principles. After Class 12, you can apply to National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), or other design schools.

Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.

For more details, visit https://bitly.ws/Gykq

Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business (HSB) has commenced Round Two of applications for its twoyear fully residential MBA programme with specialisation in Product Management. Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade; Valid CAT, ◣AT, GMAT, GRE scores or the HSB test; Minimum 60% in Classes 10 and 12 board exams. https://bitly.ws/3fVfD he world today is characterised by multiple challenges such as climate change, political tension, the aftereffects of COVID19, not to speak of the omnipresent influence of digital technology and social media. All this has led to more exposure to global events and sometimes to information overload. This has led to the discourse around student mental health becoming a pressing concern. Increasingly, there is an urgent need to cultivate deeper connections, foster understanding and instil a sense of purpose.

The oncedistinct boundaries between academic, social, and personal spheres have blurred, necessitating a recalibrated perspective on students’ lives. Modern educational frameworks must incorporate innovative strategies and resources to help students navigate this landscape and provide the necessary support to help them process the vast influx of information.

TAffirmation corner

One innovative approach that educational institutions can adopt is an “affirmation corner.” This is a

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physical sanctuary within the institution that provides students with a dedicated area to boost selfesteem by openly expressing affirmations. It fosters a sense of community and serves as safe havens for students to remind themselves of their worth and potential. In addition to spoken affirmations, it can create an an environment conducive to building selfconfidence and promoting emotional healing. Classroom affirmations also play a crucial role in creating a positive and supportive environment to encourage positive behaviours, thoughts, actions, and work.

Mindfulness practices

Mindful education seeks to balance academic rigour and emotional wellbeing. Students need simple practices that can help them stay centred, attentive, and engaged through the day. A gentle bell during a lecture or class can be a cue to pause and engage in a brief oneminute mindfulness practice. Such practices can be used after physical activity or during class to help students stay focused, calm, and engaged.

As global interest in mindfulness grows, educators are exploring practices such as guided mindfulness sessions, body scanning, and even Tai Chi exercises, all tailored to fit seamlessly into the school day and provide moments of tranquillity during the busy academic schedule. Establishing dedicated mindfulness spaces, similar to libraries or laboratories, may soon become standard practice.

Gratitude Journalling

Another way to help students deal with stress is gratitude journalling. As they record their reflections and introspections regardless of age or academic level, the practice of documenting things they are thankful for cultivates a positive mindset and enables them to focus on positive aspects and develop resilience during challenging times. Over time, these journals become personal testaments to their growth. Consistent gratitude journalling also contributes to developing emotional intelligence, making students more attuned to their feelings and those of their peers. Notably, gratitude journalling offers prompts, reminders, and even community features for experiences.

Gratitude reflections, where a few students are called upon to share what they are grateful for, serve as realworld manifestations of affirmations and contribute to a more positive and emotionally healthy educational environment.

Other aspects

shared

Apart from these, educational institutions can also explore other avenues to promote student wellbeing. Group discussions where students share their stories and offer peer support can be immensely beneficial. Bringing in professionals to conduct workshops on stress management and integrating art and music therapy sessions are also useful strategies. Furthermore, technological advances offer innovative solutions such as biofeedback apps to monitor and reduce stress, VR environments to relax and online interactions with mental health professionals in realtime. This diverse toolkit ensures that institutions can address every student’s unique needs and foster a genuinely inclusive learning environment. Given the popularity of gamification, incorporating gamebased approaches to teach mindfulness, empathy, and emotional regulation are also possible.

Going forward we must recognise that nurturing the human spirit is as crucial as the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, we must use a mix of traditional and modern strategies to equip the youth with knowledge and the emotional intelligence to use it wisely and compassionately so that we can build an empathetic and impactful society.

Going forward we must recognise that nurturing the human spirit is as crucial as the pursuit of knowledge.