17. Classroom Bell / School Bell
Part of me misses the regularity of the school bell ringing, marking the changes from one class to the next; introducing lunch or break times; signalling home-time.
Unlike in self-employed life where I create the structure, the breaks were absolute and so were the designated time windows for lessons.
In my current studies my access needs include extra time; helpful, kind reminders to stay on track; information presented visually.
Each morning at 9am, my alarm reminds me to do a daily check-in with how I’m doing with Catherine Price’s 30 Day Phone Break Up Challenge. I’m still on Week 1 so it’s taking me longer than 30 days! But that’s OK (extra time).
The last few mornings I’ve struggled with DELETING MY APPS (especially instagram) and have fallen back into unhelpful morning phone habits. As Mark kindly said at breakfast today, “slip-ups happen; they’re part of the learning process” – see also my quotes on mistakes and learning.
So this morning I used today’s reminder and check-in to make more detailed, specific plans, for better success.
I’m wondering what other school bells I could introduce as supports to my learning goals? Maybe more reminders to do tasks from The Artist’s Way?
I don’t want to overload myself with reminders but setting automatic, timed alarms is one way we can create the same helpful structure once held in place by The School Bell. Are there timers or reminders you do use, or could use, to support your studying and learning goals?
There are definitely times when I need to be uninterrupted, so my reminders are best if they happen early in the morning, before I’ve got deeply into a task like writing – or towards the end of the day, as a reminder to stop. I love this Tap for Tea bell – a gift from my lovely friend Jeanette – that reminds me to take breaks and has a pleasing sound. If only TEA would emerge whenever I tapped it!
#KNITSONIKbacktoschool
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thank you so much for this series of posts – I am really enjoying it. back to school was always sucha horrible time when I was small but I love you picking out the positive parts !
I’m glad you’re enjoying the positive parts – I’m finding it quite healing to focus on those as well.
I did not enjoy school. I found many of the teachers, the noise, socialising with my peers, AND ESPECIALLY P.E. (Physical Education AKA SPORTS), totally horrible… but here and there were some gems. Good teachers, stationery supplies, the occasionally decent book we had to read for English… above all, my fundamental love of learning – which no amount of rubbish teachers, school bullies or P.E. lessons were able to diminish!