Self-Confidence Class by Ashley

Self-Confidence Class by Ashley - February 2022 Scholarship Essay

If I had the opportunity to develop an elective class, I would design a “Self-Confidence” elective class. In the “Self-Confidence” class, a student focuses on themselves and who they are as a person. The classroom needed for this class must have a relaxing atmosphere to it. It needs to be spacy, but not huge. It needs to have windows to reflect light, but not enough where a whole wall is made of just a window. I want students to feel comfortable and not think some one is peering it, as well as more windows would just be a safety concern. The temperature of the room must be around 68-72 degrees, fuzzy blankets provided if necessary. The walls of the room need to be light, like a beige, but not super colorful, like rainbows. Pictures could brighten the area as well. Another added feature could be sound machines in the background. Finally, the desks are comfortable chairs and sofas with a mini table at each, in case they want to pull out a book or write in a journal.
The teachers need to be welcoming and friendly, preferably a psychologist, yoga teacher with some psychology knowledge, or a teacher in a stress management class. I want the teachers to truly care about the students. The class starts when the students arrive at the class, which, hopefully, it could be their last class of the day. Students who are late are not marked down; ten absents are allowed; those who are constantly absent are dropped from the class. Since this is a relaxing class, the times they arrive are relaxed.
During the first thirty minutes of the class, the teacher discusses that day’s lesson, whether it be self-confidence, stress management, the importance of self-care, relaxing techniques for any mood, and the importance of self-love. Relaxing techniques will be done throughout the class, like taking deep breathes, using stress balls, or listening to calming music. The goal of the lesson is to teach students to accept who they are as people and to be confident in who they are. The relaxing techniques are used to help students face the stresses in everyday life, as well as teach those with mental disorders or anxieties to relax. I want it to be a therapy session, in a way.
Once the teaching portion of the class is finished, for the next fifteen minutes, students will pull out their journals, sketch pads, or any other writing materials and write or draw how their week is, how did the class make them feel, or a prompt the teacher gave to the students. Journals and sketch pads will be provided for each student. These journals and sketch pads are private and are not allowed to be seen or graded by teachers and peers. If the student chooses to share with the teacher his/her journal, HIPPA laws are in place. The purpose of these journals and sketch pads is to give the student a chance to get rid of any negative feelings or situations and give them a chance to help them solve the problem they are facing. Writing positive traits about oneself is also recommended. Quizzes and tests will be based on journals and writing prompts with the goal of showing improvement in self-confidence and stress management.
Once the fifteen minutes are up, students move on to the next portion of the class: group therapy. Group therapy can go two ways. Students can open to each other about certain situations, while students provide peer support comfort. However, if students feel uncomfortable with sharing personal information, then it can take a lighter approach. This can mean the teacher helps students open up, or the students socialize. If the class is made of many diverse groups, then it is highly encouraged for each group to share a little about themselves, their culture, and their history. The goal of this exercise it to help students develop a peer support group and learn empathy and respect for each other, despite differences. The group therapy lasts for thirty minutes.
The final activity lasts for fifteen minutes, and it is meant to be the least stressful activity. Students take these last few minutes of the class to relax, whether that be reading a book, writing, talking to each other, drawing, praying, doing homework, or any other hobbies. However, electronics are prohibited because it would deter students from focusing on themselves. The purpose of these fifteen minutes is to allow each student’s mind to clear and relax before going home that day.
Destressing students and teaching them confidence is the whole goal of this class. I want students to feel comfortable and who they are as people. I think by teaching students to be who they are with confidence gives them that confidence. I think by allowing them to take the time to write or draw their feelings gives them the chance to focus on them and get rid of everything that goes on in their daily lives. The group therapy is designed to create a peer social group and learn about each other, so students have social support. Finally, the relaxing activity at the end is to give the students free time, so they can come home relaxed and recharged. All this class is graded on is participation, for the class is about the students themselves, not anybody or anything else.