Back To School: A Minicourse in Well-Being

Forget January resolutions, September is the go-to reset month. With another academic year about to commence, the first day of school feels more pivotal than New Year itself. Marrying the end of summer with the beginning of autumn, the ninth calendar month turns festival chill into scholastic thrill and it’s bitter-sweet, so here’s a thought: could we have the cake and it too? Is there a way to preserve joy and freedom amidst the responsibilities of the fall semester? And how do we recommit to our routines in a manner that feels less like a chore?

Welcome to the Intelligent Change Academy, where we believe in the value of life-long learning and the mastery of hard and soft skills alike. Can you hear the school bell ringing? Time to take a seat in the classroom. Grab your pens, notebooks, or iPads, and please pay attention as there will be a test at the end (ungraded). Without further ado, let’s have a look at this year’s syllabus.

Class is in session.

Maths

In various life equations, you need to know how to count: your blessings; on yourself when there’s nobody else to fall back on; or the revenue of your business to analyze data, measure success, and come up with a better game plan if need be. Logical reasoning, as well as the sheer persistence and resilience required for multiple attempts at solving a problem, are the essence of Mathematics.

The subject teaches us how to be specific. If something is not adding up in your endeavors, it might be time to look beyond numbers and zoom in on what’s important. That’s where our very own Productivity Planner might help with prioritizing. When a to-do list (or even your self-care routine) becomes too much to handle, break it down into one main task for the day, two secondary tasks, and then two more optional tasks. Divide and conquer, add or subtract as needed, simplify the job and the fruits of it will multiply to infinity and beyond.

Science

Whether it’s Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or other noble disciplines, scientific research provides us with a deeper understanding of the world inside and outside of us. On that basis, we learn what to do and what to avoid doing to live happily ever after. Thousands of studies at our disposal allow for evidence-based decision-making that leads to personal growth and improved health.

Science both feeds our curiosity and sparks more of it. Whatever question you may have, there’s a good chance someone, somewhere already researched it and shared their findings. Be it out of professional or personal inquisitiveness, once a day open Google (or Google Scholar) and type in whatever interests you at that moment. The most concrete whys and hows are in the research. A paper a day keeps ignorance and mediocrity away so follow your curiosity and let it prolong your lifespan (and yes, there is a study about that, too).

P.E.

It will come as a shock to absolutely nobody that mobility is one of the best predictors of longevity. Yet, while research provides a rock on which to build our health, stellar knowledge needs practical application to bear results. That’s where Physical Education (applied science, if you will) comes in: gymnastics, volleyball, swimming—whatever tickles your fancy and activates your muscles, if ever so slightly, will improve the quality of your life. Ok team, let’s move.

Do a simple self-assessment with the basic sit-rise test: get down on the floor and try to stand up without using your hands. If you managed, well done, keep up the good work! If you struggled, put movement on your to-do list as an item of utmost importance. And before you find an excuse, something about being busy at work and so on, let us bring to your attention that regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory and thinking skills. So you will do your work faster and better if you incorporate P.E. breaks, one gentle stretch at a time.

History & Philosophy

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Imagine the world without the invention of the wheel. And then came the Roman Empire, William the Conqueror, Joan of Arc, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, the women's suffrage movement, World War I and II, the Moon landing, the Polio vaccine, the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mankind has lived through a lot. And yet, we’re still learning how to translate veni, vidi, vici—I came, I saw, I conquered—into veni, vidi, amavi—I came, I saw, I loved.

Philosophy means 'love of wisdom'. By studying the past and philosophizing about possible outcomes, we learn to make better decisions for the present and the future. And what is a school without its teachers? In the spirit of curiosity, which we already established is great for your health, we encourage you to research prominent historical figures and choose a mentor from another era. Bonus points if you find someone lesser known. There are many respectable big thinkers still walking amongst us, but what about the change-makers from the bygone days? We need to preserve their memory. Otherwise, we risk being forgotten ourselves.

Geography

Still in the spirit of philosophical reflection: it’s all about the journey, this life. The destination is when we say farewell to it, so enjoy the process while it lasts. Travel broadens the mind by expanding our worldview and diversifying our experiences. Exploration of any kind stretches us in novel directions so we can evolve into incarnations of ourselves we never even imagined. Hop on the bus, we’re going on a school trip.

Once a month, take yourself out on an adventure to snap out of the mundane. No need to book plane tickets, explore where you are but do go a bit further than your usual coffee shop. Peek around the corner, close the distance on foot (added benefit: movement), wander to wonder. See? Just like that, the freedom and the joy of the summer break are back.

Psychology

In this social science class, we encourage you to go out and connect with others. Humans are social creatures, even if you’re the most introverted introvert of them all. And especially if you are one—an independent learner, so to speak—you need a gentle push. So here goes: research shows that isolation and loneliness (not to be confused with intentional solitude) can be deadly, it’s no joke.

Life is a group project. People with friends and confidants generally report higher life satisfaction and are less susceptible to depression and anxiety. If you work from home, once or twice a week consider moving to a desk at a nice coworking space. Join a running club. Enroll in a cooking class. Or, if you’re still in school, a student exchange program will do it (and broaden your mind through traveling). Insert yourself into social situations, life is more fun (and healthy) when you can share it with a tribe.

English & Foreign Languages

If English is your second language, we kindly ask you to insert your mother tongue in its place where necessary. But Humanities are at the core of any school curriculum for solid reasons. Similarly to traveling, reading expands our reality. Whether it’s classical or contemporary literature, poetry, literary fiction or fantasy novels, books are portals to other dimensions. Even self-help releases open up your inner self. Stories spark imagination, boost creativity, and teach empathy, all the while developing our linguistic skills. Ready to apply for a library card yet?

Now on to the topic of today’s lesson: self-expression through words. Handwriting can be a meditation in itself. Combine it with a stream-of-consciousness flow of thoughts onto a blank page and it becomes elating (science-backed facts). Set a realistic goal of inking half a page thrice a week. Half a page—nothing more, for your eyes only. If you need a boost, in the true back-to-school fashion, invest in new stationery. That always did the trick to lessen the stress of September 1st, remember? Or, journal your way to motivation, one word of encouragement after another. Shakespeare would be proud. We bet you that’s how he started as well.

As for foreign languages, learning one or more is much-needed fun among your more serious commitments. Hobbies lessen the burdens of everyday life. Pick your favorite—Spanish, Swahili, French—and DuoLingo your way through it. Breaking your chosen language barrier will also make room for new people and experiences in your life. And think of all the fun facts you’ll be able to share on game night—did you know that sawubona means “hello” in Zulu? A more literal translation is, “I see you, and by seeing you, I bring you into being”. We have a feeling this greeting will make you a few more friends right off the bat.

Art, Design & IT

Much can be elevated to a work-of-art status: a love letter, a child’s drawing, a workspace. Let’s pause here. Office vibes dictate our mood, the depth of our commitment, and, subsequently, the quality of the work we produce, especially within a creative field. Back to school means back to business, so how are you feeling in your headquarters, drained or inspired? Does it need more panache, more finesse to proclaim, “This is the office of a renowned graphic designer?” (if you are one, of course).

Perhaps autumn is the perfect time for change for no other reason than alignment. With her shifting colors, fall is invigorating, and whispers in dark academia or warm and cozy Pinterest esthetics. Find your inspiration and draw from awe. Art engagement, both active and passive, is also healing to physical and mental health because it rewires our brains and triggers the release of endorphins. So design your surroundings according to your heart’s desire and everything else will follow. One honorable mention: music. With no exaggeration whatsoever, the right playlist can set the tone for success.

Shaking things up is also what triggers innovation. Move over blackboard and chalk, the era of digital resources has begun. The economics of an average Monday is much more efficient with multiple project management tasks done from a single device. But keep in mind that this is also a workspace, your iPad deserves renovation and reorganization all the same.

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After the Last Bell

It needs to be said: the standard education system is not without its flaws. However, a lifelong learner with an open mind and above-average curiosity will continue their education far beyond the walls of any classroom. Now, about that test we mentioned at the beginning—it’s life, life itself is the test, and it usually arrives before the lesson. For this new semester and beyond, we wish you patience, resilience, and ambition to pass the exams, real and metaphorical, learn from potential failures, and never get discouraged.

Good luck and class dismissed.