School rarely goes to plan. Here are 9 ways students can deal with setbacks and change
A new study looks at how students’ capacity to handle adversity relates to their ability to manage changes at school.
School life can be challenging, with students facing a variety of setbacks and changes. These experiences can be categorized into two main types: adversity and disruption. Adversity refers to setbacks, such as receiving poor grades or struggling with difficult assignments, while disruption entails change, like starting a new school or working with unfamiliar classmates. Both types of experiences are essential for students to thrive academically.
Researchers have identified two key capacities that help students cope with these situations: academic buoyancy and adaptability. Academic buoyancy is the ability to bounce back from academic setbacks, while adaptability is the capacity to adjust when faced with disruption and change. Our research aimed to determine whether academic buoyancy also aids in adapting to disruption, and vice versa.
In a study involving 5,931 students from Australia and the United Kingdom, we assessed students' academic buoyancy and adaptability at two different points in time, separated by four months to one year. Using two survey tools, we measured each capacity by asking students to rate their agreement with various statements. Higher scores indicated greater buoyancy and adaptability.
Our findings revealed that students who were better at dealing with setbacks were later better at handling change, and those who improved at adapting to disruption also became better at coping with adversity. This suggests that students who can handle academic adversity may also become more adept at managing disruption, and those who improve at adapting to change may also enhance their ability to deal with setbacks.
The results remained consistent across different age groups, locations, general schoolwork, specific subjects, and varying timeframes between assessments. However, our analysis did not consider socioeconomic and academic ability differences between students, as not all analyses included this information.
To support students in developing these essential skills, we propose six practical approaches, collectively known as the "six Cs":
1. Confidence: Help students recognize their existing knowledge and skills, boosting their self-belief. It's also beneficial to broaden their definition of success to include improvement and learning, not just high grades.
2. Control: Encourage students to focus on what they can control and influence, such as their effort, strategies, and attitude during schoolwork.
3. Commitment: Inspire students to set clear and achievable goals, and suggest practical strategies to reach these objectives.
4. Coordination: Plan ahead to balance multiple assignments or exams, ensuring students can manage their workload effectively.
5. Composure: Equip students with strategies to manage anxiety and frustration, tailoring these techniques to individual needs, such as sleep, exercise, and relaxation techniques.
6. Connections: Foster positive relationships with teachers, coaches, classmates, friends, and family members, as these connections can provide vital support during times of adversity and disruption.
In addition to these six strategies, enhancing adaptability can be achieved through three approaches:
1. Adjusting thinking: Encourage students to view new situations from multiple perspectives, acknowledging potential opportunities in challenging circumstances.
2. Adjusting behavior: Teach students to take action when faced with change, seeking new information, resources, or altering their approach to tasks when necessary.
3. Adjusting emotional response: Assist students in effectively managing frustration and anxiety, enabling them to respond constructively to change.
Adversity and disruption are inherent aspects of school and life. We cannot eliminate these challenges, nor would we want to remove all disruption and change. Instead, we should equip students with the skills to navigate both adversity and disruption, ensuring they are well-prepared for the complexities of academic life and beyond.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
