As Educational Circles Prepare for New Academic Year, Experts Confirm to QNA Importance of Moral, Psychological Support for Students -1-

On another note, educational expert and Qatar University faculty member Dr. Ahmed Jassim Al Saei stressed the importance of students' psychological readiness to start the new academic year, something that reflects significantly on students' class attendance and participation in social activities at school, especially improved by the school organizing orientation meetings and activities. Dr. Al Saei told QNA that students can be made psychologically ready for the new school year by having parents and guardians exciting them about being part of a community and rejoining their friends and peers, celebrating their successes, achieving progress, and moving from one level to the next. The educational expert and Qatar University faculty member gave some tips to raise students readiness for school, including going to bed early, working hard on homework, not postponing tasks, paying attention in class, and not being late to lessons. Dr. Al Saei stressed parents and guardians' central role in caring for their childr en, organizing their time, encouraging them to study, and assisting them whenever necessary. He also underscored the importance of daily study to facilitate understanding and retention of materials covered while still fresh, adding that this should persist throughout the academic year. In a related context, educational and psychological counseling expert Dr. Moza Al Malki urged parents and guardians to set ground rules for their children at the beginning of the new academic year and ensure that their children follow through on them. However, she stressed that this must be done in a way that avoids putting students under stress and pressure in order not to make them anxious about returning to school. She added that students must be motivated to return to studying and being active after the summer break. Dr. Al Malki told QNA that a study plan must be employed for the new academic year to outline study times, set learning goals and controls, and manage time, with this plan having to be flexible and adaptable to any developments or shortcomings that might occur. Dr. Al Malki said that parents and guardians should give advice and provide guidance continuously in addition to assisting and encouraging their children to develop and succeed, however, to also constantly monitor their childrens performance, behaviors, and relationships, and maintain consistent communication with the school and ensure receiving timely reports on students progress, in order to tackle any misbehavior or issues in collaboration with teachers and the school administration. The educational and psychological counseling expert said that students must play sport or engage in physical activity in order for them to prevent fatigue and stress, enhance their mental abilities, increase focus and positive energy, and reduce high levels of negative energy. She stressed the importance of regular attendance for optimal benefit, in addition to setting learning goals and receiving constant encouragement. Dr. Moza Al Malki concluded her remarks to QNA by saying that students psychological preparedness is crucial to set the tone for new academic year and promote success, encouraging students to make best use of their effort, time, and resources. Source: Qatar News Agency