From three students in years 11, 12 and 13, we find out what lockdown meant to them.
My Lockdown: Anja Raine Y11 2020
Many people have learnt lessons in lockdown. I started lockdown in shock, of having my focus of GCSEs suddenly changed due to exam cancellations. The majority of my learning had focused on learning to be examined. For the next few weeks I was still given work in relation to my GCSE courses; although we were no longer doing the exams, many of our teachers still wanted us to complete the course, and have the thorough and balanced education many teachers are passionate about. I realised that it is not just the number on the exam that mattered but the content we are taught. Education is so vital, I don’t think anyone should ever feel truly done with learning, else we will end up fixed in everything we know.
Through lockdown, I have had low weeks and high weeks for motivation. At the end of them all I have found learning points; such as not to read the news at night; instead, why not consume it in the morning? Or, to utilise the time without being flat, writing lists and emptying my head in a journal to help me feel less drained. Or in one of those high weeks for motivation I have managed to watch a Ted-Ed talk on creative writing.
After the first few weeks of lockdown, we were no longer being set work daily, and instead, given longer tasks to bridge the gap to A Levels; with longer deadlines and done a little bit at the time. As a result, I have been learning for preparation. This preparation learning allows me to read sources which will tool me for the next two academic years. Some of this learning may be entirely new for me and allows me to create more balanced views - on current affairs for example.
Another kind of learning in lockdown is learning for enjoyment, such as spending my time reading novels and magazines, for no reason other than enjoyment.
My last kind of learning is learning from privilege; for example, in light of recent events such as the murder of George Floyd, I have been learning more on topics such as race and trying to listen to stories of black lives and experiences. This is learning from privilege because some of it I wasn’t aware of - it hasn’t been my experience. This kind of learning is vital as we need to hear the stories of people from all backgrounds.
Overall, I have learnt that education goes further than exams.
My Lockdown: George Harris Y12 2020
Aside from all the new music I’ve discovered, and the books I’ve read, and the TV shows I’ve binged, I think the biggest thing I’ve got out of this lockdown is better time management.
I know that’s not exciting at all: I could have learnt to do something glamorous - sword swallowing or spitting fire - but I definitely think it’s helped in my day to day life. Before COVID-19 turned all of our lives upside down, I don’t think I was very good with time management. Long ago when everything was normal I didn’t like deadlines: I didn’t hate them or anything but any deadline I got gave me a sense of dread - because I knew I’d put that work off right until the last minute.
But now, because I’ve been stuck at home I’ve had the chance to finish work in advance, I’ve felt more proactive and motivated. It probably comes from the fact that I’ve got nothing better to do, but hopefully when everything goes back to normality (whenever that is) I can carry on spending my time wisely and not putting everything off ‘til the last minute.
My Lockdown: Vic Ruck Y13 2020
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from being under lockdown and seeing barely anything or anyone apart from the confines of my house, is that I really should make the most of the time I spend with people.
It’s a massive cliché that every adult reels off to make sure you don’t 'lose' your best years, but, in all honesty, it’s true. Having to stay at home for 3+ months made me realise how lucky I was to see my friends as often as I did when the world wasn’t as crazy!
Images in order of text...
Edited by Brookfield Journalism Group