As a two-time college instructor for HC DrugFree’s Life Skills Classes, I have been fortunate to facilitate and witness the positive impact that the Life Skills course makes on our local students. By educating about the risks of substance use, practicing social skills for a variety of situations, and empowering students to increase their self-esteem and make good decisions, we are setting up our younger generations for success in adulthood.
With help from an amazing team of high school volunteers, the three college student instructors taught lessons and guided discussions on self-esteem, decision making, smoking and vaping, alcohol use, marijuana use, prescription medication, violence in the media, advertisement strategies, dealing with anxiety and anger, communication, peer pressure, and social skills. Not only do we provide educational information, but we also lead interactive activities, demonstrations, and discussions relating to each topic so that students have the opportunity to practice the skills we are learning. We hope that practicing these techniques (such as standing up to peer pressure or deep breathing exercises) in the safe and judgment-free environment of our virtual classroom will set students up for success using them in their real life situations.
As a psychology student, I am personally interested in strategies to increase the confidence and overall well being of younger students, and I love seeing their growth over the course of our eight-session class. With each discussion, I see them apply more and more of what we have learned to their answers, and appreciate their thoughtfulness in their answers and willingness to make healthy choices in their lives. Early intervention and exposure to the topics discussed in Life Skills decreases the likelihood of students engaging in risky behaviors such as substance use, and it is so important to spread awareness and education beyond what they may receive in school. Additionally, I have witnessed growth in our high school assistants as they became more confident and outspoken in their role model positions. Getting to hear personal anecdotes from both high school and college students makes a tremendous impact on the younger ones; positive peer interactions such as these prove to be much more effective than if they were hearing the same words of wisdom from teachers or parents.
However, the benefits of Life Skills are most effective in the long-term when the topics are paired with continued discussion, education, and support. It is important for students to feel safe asking the adults in their lives questions about uncomfortable topics like drugs and alcohol, and reaching out for support in tricky situations without the fear of getting in trouble. Keeping our students safe and providing them the skills they need to succeed does not end when the Life Skills classes do!
If you missed this session of Life Skills, that’s okay! There will be another session offered in the Spring of 2025. Stay up to date with HC DrugFree’s newsletter and website for more information.
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