UNSW’s Education Festival 2021 | Page 66

Mindfulness Moments

Mindfulness Moments

Ms Louise Breheny
My keen interest in mindfulness has developed over the past few years with my own regular training and practice, and in exploring growing research around the use of MM in educational settings, focused on the university setting. As educators in tertiary institutions, we know that a significant percentage of students experience various levels of stress, anxiety, and lack of motivation during their studies, balancing work, study, home, and social engagement.
During my past 2 1 / 2 years teaching at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, I have introduced:
• 3-minute guided mindful meditation sessions into several of the early Phase 1 SG classes at the commencement of class activities, using Apps such as‘ Calm’, UCLA( University of California LA) Mindfulness, etc.
Alongside these strategies, other micro initiatives have been added to enhance engagement.
The aim has been to enhance connectivity and monitor general well-being.
Overall, the feedback and engagement from students with this approach has been positive, including benefits of creating calm environment, consideration of all well-being, inclusivity, and improved collaboration. Moving forward, I plan to develop and improve on these well-being strategies in classroom settings, to improve the student experience.
• Linking personal photographic nature images as a theme within the session
• Included correspondence with each student regards well-being and progress mid-way through the courses.
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