Teens have much to feel worried about during this pandemic. Will their families stay safe? Will their friends get sick? They worry they are falling behind. They worry about what that means for their future, and how that might affect college or the workforce after their graduate. That compounded with the stress of trying to complete virtual learning without the proper support can cause students to feel overwhelmed and defeated. There is also the simple fact that, for some teens, school is not a priority. It was OK when they have friends and free periods to look forward to during the day, but now that everything is carried out on the screen where they can stay on mute or have their camera off, it may just feel easier to not engage.
The Impact of Virtual Learning
A poll of 849 teenagers by Common Sense Media found that as schools across the country transition to some form of online learning, 41% of teenagers overall, including 47% of public school students, say they haven’t attended a single online or virtual class. This startling number can be attributed to a variety of things such as, a lack of technology resources at home, parents who have to work and are unable to monitor school attendance, schools without the proper resources to effectively run online learning, or students who are struggling with learning or mental health issues without the proper support.
Teachers across the country are having to learn new ways to teach a classroom of squares on a screen. There is less motivation for students to focus on a lesson where they are surrounded by the distractions of home. It becomes more difficult for teachers to teach to the individual, because even though each teen’s learning style is unique, not having students in-person places a lot of boundaries on the lesson. Research done in past disasters suggests that it is teenagers who are the most at risk when school is interrupted. Many are forced to work to earn money or have to stay home and take care of younger siblings. They are more likely to drop out and less likely to go on to college.
In-Person Learning in Residential Treatment
Learning in a classroom with peers helps give teens a sense of belonging and community. If they are feeling confused about a topic, it’s easy to look around the room and see if their friends are struggling too. They are able to be engaged physically in the room around them with classroom materials and hands-on projects. For many teens, kinetic learning is an important part of information retention. This is difficult to duplicate in an online setting. But even knowing the benefits of in-person learning, we do not want to put our teens in a dangerous situation due to this pandemic. This is where a residential treatment center can be a helpful solution.
Students who attend a residential treatment center are naturally in a bubble. All the other students who are attending class also live on campus. There is not the worry that your teen will be exposed to another student who has gone home and interacted with a parent or sibling who may have been exposed to the virus. It is a safer environment where the program can control the possibility of exposure, while also offering academics that will help your teen reach their goals.
At Solstice East, we have curated our academic program to be fully integrated with our premier therapeutic clinical program. Our experience has shown us that teens who succeed academically will be more likely to apply motivation to other areas of their lives as well. Students who experience an increase in self-confidence and self-efficacy from academics also display positive progress in their clinical work and in mending family relationships. Our teachers and therapists work hand-in-hand to ensure each student reaches their therapeutic goals while achieving academic success.
Solstice East Can Help
Solstice East supports a therapeutic culture where acceptance, change, and growth is recognized and embraced. Our approach employs the guidance of The Hero’s Journey and its themes, providing a foundation for our students to advance victoriously and grow closer to internal harmony. Solstice East students embark on a therapeutic journey that teaches inner growth and understanding and fosters positive relationships. Our groundbreaking approach allows our students to heal while compiling skills and practices to best serve them throughout their life journey. For more information please call (828) 469-0905.
