BLF Coaching and Mentoring Class June 2017

Excerpts from BLF Coaching/Mentoring Class Held on 10^th June 2017

BeamLight Foundation Coaching/Mentoring Class held on 10^th June 2017 focused on:

1. Impact of Internet/Social Medial on Teens
2. Me & My Exams

The participants learnt that there were positive as well as negative impacts of Internet/Social media. The positive impacts of internet/social media on teens include:

1. It promotes social networking. For example, staying connected with friends and connecting with people of shared interests.
2. It facilitates learning by offering a wide range of materials useful for academic purposes.
3. Enhance their creativity by sharing musical and artistic projects.
4. Expand their ideas by creating blogs, video.
5. It is also use as an avenue to raise money for charity etc.

While the negative impacts of the internet/social media include:

1. Cyberbullying
2. Sexting
3. “Facebook depression”
4. Lower school grade
5. An obsession or compulsion to constantly check social media (i.e. addiction)
6. Drifting while exploring the internet
7. One may become victim of identity theft
8. Ignoring the importance of appropriate behaviour related to face-to-face contact. Hence, the set of interpersonal skills that are necessary for success in the real life may not develop properly.
9. Time wastage
10. Less time for sleeping which may result to insomnia.

Participants were also informed of possible ways of overcoming the negative impacts of the internet/social media. These include:

• Not sharing your password with anyone
• Accepting friend requests from people you know only
• Not posting anything you wouldn’t want your parents, teachers, or employer to see
• Be authentic: That is, be real with yourself.
• Learn about privacy setting
• Think carefully about how you present yourself when you are choosing a profile image. Think also about the language you use.
• Be careful with personal information: That include your personal information and those of your friends.
• Trust your instincts.

Furthermore, in the session of “Me & My Exams” participants were told that examination is an inevitable part of learning. Examination was defined as “a formal test of a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a subject or skill.”

Participants were also informed that temperament/personality plays a key role in how a person learn and prepare for exams. According to Barbara Keogh (PhD) in “Temperament in the classroom helping each child find a good fit”:  “Achievement in school is obviously related to a child’s ability, to his motivation, to his experiences, and to the quality of instruction he receives. Achievement is also related to temperament.” The basic temperaments/personality types were given as: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Melancholic.

Participants were also given tips on how to prepare for examination. These include:

1. Make a study time-table
2. Treat all your subjects as important
3. Create extra time for subjects that appear a bit more difficult
4. Develop the habit of reading through your work everyday
5. Study in group as well as alone
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions where you are having difficulties
7. Pray about your exams.

The barriers to exam preparation were given as:

• Failure to pay close attention when lessons are being taught.
• Procrastination
• Over-confidence
• Self-doubt
• Laziness

Participants were informed that they can overcome these barriers through discipline, dedication and commitment to doing things rightly and on time.