When it was announced on Friday 20th March that schools would be closing for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19*, there was a feeling of entering the unknown with a narrow path being carved and no clear end in sight.
Uncertainty brings concern
Levels of uncertainty can lead to spiraling negative thoughts about the future. School closures of this unheard-of nature, magnitude and speed inevitably are a huge cause for concern.
It was only 4 days later (on 24th March) that inews published an article which quoted the CEO of the Independent Schools Association stating that some private schools were likely to fold as result of the COVID-19 crisis. Just unfathomable and a sudden stress inducer for everyone involved in these high risk [to close] schools.
We send our strength to the leaders of these schools and we are here to talk should you need to.
Parents become teachers and must embrace the change
Suddenly faced with an overnight adjustment, all schools going into overdrive to formulate new digital solutions, attempting to transform their school into a virtual distance learning Mecca with parents now required to become teachers.
Clearly these unimaginable changes have a significant effect on teacher, parents and our childrens’ mental health, well-being and stress levels.
All the very best to all for the ‘home schooling’ summer term starting on 20th April 2020.
MA Advice: Teachers – make the pupil’s work-tasks and work flow sequence as logical as possible. Pupil’s will be getting to grips with this new online way of working; the tech, the environment and a parent(s) now a teacher. There will be a feeling and pressure of having to complete all the set tasks without your physical support and guidance. Our motivating advice for pupils would be that ‘less is more’; complete a smaller selection of tasks well, than trying to complete all and struggle. Good luck.
Can a marketing approach help us cope?
Yes… just as we research (or understand), plan and implement a marketing campaign, we can adopt this same strategic approach to help address our mind set and seek to overcome, or at least settle, our state of mind in flux. Of course, the coping/rest/meditation remedy action we each undertake to will differ from person to person.
In marketing terms… we plan for the future but concentrate our day-to-day efforts on the present and adjust as we process the real-time information.
Proficient marketers will tell you that it is both the planning and then the successful implementation of the dedicated plan (to address the challenge) that will lead to the desired results. There may well need to be adjustments along the way, especially as we seek to do more of what is working.
Assess the scale of the issue (the stress) and treat the future with caution
So, to find a workable solution, we assess (or grade) the challenge. With a marketing approach we need to know the starting position (what’s causing the stress & the level it is at?), also to be clear on what has worked/helped in the past and can it be tackled in small chunks. Remember, everything was fine and controllable until that moment of change and in most situations once an unforeseen storm passes usual service resumes.
MA Advice: Dwelling too much on the future and its unknown can lead to unfounded and hypothetical situations, which in reality may never actually materialise. This can lead to wasted energy or, in terms of our mind and well-being, additional anxiety.
In difficult and unsettling times… it’s always good to talk
When we encounter difficult or unsettling times, it’s only human that we feel a certain amount of concern or worry. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with difficult thoughts, it’s always good to talk.
Pupils should be encouraged to talk to their family, parent or guardian or even close friends can be a great source of support.
Mindfulness help and support
MA Advice: If you’re seeking more dedicate mindfulness help and support, then the NHS online can support with further information and onward links.
View the NHS online 5 steps to mental well-being here.
Should you need further online well-being support then you might like to consider the better known mental well-being tools, such as Headspace and SilverCloud.
The link between the mind (coping) and marketing
There is a similarity link with the planning and implementation of appropriate strategies to achieve a desired result. If you want to talk more on the mind-marketing approach or seek advice on ways you can approach your school marketing, fund raising, embracing your Alumni or reaching out to overseas pupils then we are here to help you.
MA Practical Advice:
- Embrace or reason with the changes that you can’t control
- Seek to understand then find the most appropriate remedy (Research, plan and implement like a marketer)
- Assess the scale of the issue and do not waste energy worrying about the future
- When an unforeseen storm passes usual service resumes
- Seek extra help if you need and don’t be afraid to ask
- It’s good to talk and to be there to support
Please do talk to us, the Marketing Advisers, now or at some point in the future to see how we can help with advice and marketing guidance for your school. Contact or drop us a note.
Why are the advice based Marketing Advisers for schools different?
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* The World Health Organisation announced the official names for the virus responsible for COVID-19 (previously known as “2019 novel coronavirus”) and the disease it causes. The official names are:
Disease
Coronavirus disease
(COVID-19)
Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2)