How South Africa’s youth can continue to learn and grow during the COVID-19 lockdown
“Once you stop learning, you start dying,” said Albert Einstein. Part of keeping hope alive in this time of uncertainty, is to keep the mind alive, through learning and developing yourself.
Since May 1, South Africa moved to Stage 4 of a nationwide lockdown, giving citizens slightly more freedom of movement, with some returning to work as “essential services” have been redefined. Many businesses have opened their doors with limited goods and services available.
But for many, especially the youth, the future is still unknown until normality is restored. South African youth are encouraged to use this time fruitfully to develop and improve themselves through self-learning. Knowledge is power! The learning journey has evolved through technology, with information literally available at your fingertips, through various free online courses and e-books.
What have you been doing to empower yourself since the beginning of the lockdown? Have you learnt a new language? Or a new skill? Have you embarked on a new learning journey? Are you thinking of changing your career path?
Self-learning
– Valuable perspective on lockdown and how to live beyond this time by Appletree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9TzH7SUbyI&feature=youtu.be
– OpenLearn offers free online courses for self-development: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue
-Short online courses you can finish in a lunch break: https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-free-short-classes-you-can-take-and-finish-on-your-lunch-break
– Free online Personal Development Courses, when selecting a course, select the “audit the course” option to do it for free. You won’t get a certificate or official credits, but get access to all learning content: https://www.coursera.org
Work Readiness
– Build your online personal brand and set up your social channels and CV.
– Tips for creating your CV: https://www.careerjunction.co.za/blog/top-cv-tips-cv-template/
– A Graduate Kit for navigating the world of work: https://cj-marketing.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/CJ_GraduateKit.pdf
Healthy bodies, healthy minds
– Avoid fake news by ensuring you read informed and factual information. The South African Corona Virus Resource Portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za
– Factual health Information about COVID-19 from The World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
– The South African Depression and Anxiety Group provides free helpline and resources: http://www.sadag.org
– Guidance for exercises on deep breathing and mindfulness: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
– Stay digitally connected to friends and family. The Moya Messenger App is a data-free messaging app (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom): https://www.datafree.co/moya-messenger-app
– A range of resources from tips on exercise and healthy living to cooking lessons: https://specialprojects.news24.com/coronavirus/lockdown-activities/index.html
