Wellness Message for Students

Social and Emotional Learning as Helping Tools in the New Academic Year

Welcome to the new academic year! As we start this semester in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the after effect of the social discord, it is important for everyone to maintain our wellness in adapting to this new normal. The Wellness and Support Section has organized various programmes which are targeting to the benefits of your physical wellbeing and social and emotional wellbeing, they are supporting you in your academic pursuit and personal development.

During this turbulent time, the social and emotional skills are more important than ever. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process by which people learn to understand and manage their emotions, set goals and make decisions, and engage in positive relationships. Research has shown that “SEL programs significantly improve social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance” (Durlak, 2011).

The pandemic has impacted everyone at different levels, we see this moment as an opportunity to rethink, reunite and thrive for the wellbeing of our students. Instead of focusing on the downside, we process what we have learned and experienced during this difficult time and realize that nothing could be more important than the social emotional wellness.

We have tried to find out non-traditional ways to connect with you and get to know you outside of the academic classroom. By creating a sense of community with different programmes, such as the online Social Meet, Virtual Lunch, we offer opportunities for students to socialize and connect, even when physical distancing may be necessary. A series of social emotional learning programmes are designed to cultivate relationships and build friendship, such as the Interpersonal Intelligence Series, the Emotional Management Series, aim to nurture healthy mental wellbeing. The Mindfulness Series enhance students’ resilience to cope with the uncertainty in life.  To support you better, we will strengthen our mental health and trauma support to cope with ongoing stressors related to resuming classes during COVID-19. We aim to create a safe, supportive and equitable learning environments for you.

At this moment, nobody knows exactly what the new academic year will look like, we endeavor to respond quickly to changing local health conditions and find new strategies to support you as conditions change. Please enjoy the programmes we have prepared for you and reach out to us if you would like some connection with us.

The Wellness and Support Section

Reference

Durlak, J.A., et al. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta‐Analysis of School‐Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, Vol. 82, No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x