[Brian Morris]

A note to all those students who feel the need to meet other students for a chat. This can resolve the loneliness of distance learning. A meeting can be human-to-human at a coffee shop, or ‘virtual’ using a group-chat electronic service. I’ve thought about this:

1. If you have serious questions which need answers, ask your tutor. There is NO LIMIT to the number of questions you may ask your tutor. Often the simple act of writing your question / problem into words stimulates your brain to offer an answer. (This works whether you’re part of a group or not.)

2. Having a STUDY BUDDY can be a positive thing, especially when you are doing a home study distance learning course. Tip: Aim to be THE MOST POSITIVE PERSON in your group. Encourage one another. Help each other get through difficult patches such as: nursing a sick child or aged parent, marital problems, school holidays, redundancy etc.

3. If you’re a writer, don’t TALK your story – WRITE your story. The best burst of energy is the FIRST BURST. Put your best effort into a permanent format, not a wonderful conversation which is then lost upon the air.

4. Any chat session should be a REWARD. Set the date far enough ahead (a week at least) so everyone can strive to have “Done it!” as their opening comment. A self-imposed deadline date helps the striving factor.

5. Be professional. Set a firm meeting START TIME and a fixed MEETING END TIME. You’ll all get more from a structured time together than from an open-ended rambling conversation. Encourage everyone to make notes. Have a dedicated 3B1 notebook for this.

6. Take turns at speaking. Leave no one out. Work around the group, not ducking and diving. Allow for the shy person who is a quiet speaker. They can be reluctant to start a new conversation topic.

Tip: Have a “something” which the person speaking puts their hand on while they are speaking, so others know to hold back and not interrupt the speaker’s flow.

7. Focus. Put all mobile phones on FLIGHT MODE. Enjoy the occasion.

Brian Morris, Principal