By Ushara Shamini   During an economic crisis, the slowdown of the economy is associated with reductions in hourly wage rates, number of hours worked, and the amount of public and private funds available for schools. Such conditions affect children’s educational outcomes such as school enrollment, attainment, attendance, and performance. As such, during this ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a child can be exposed to both negative and positive effects stemming from the crisis. Some negative effects that a child can be exposed to during this economic crisis are; the reduction in adult income that makes it harder for parents to bear the direct costs of education such as tuition fees, supplies, uniforms, and private tutoring; educational outcomes being consequently harmed because the child is either withdrawn from school or inadequately prepared for it; reductions in hourly or daily wage rates of adults forcing parents to work longer hours, which in turn reduces the time that parents can devote to assisting their child with homework, reading, and other educational activities. However, there are a few positive effects that a child can be exposed to during this ongoing economic crisis as well. For instance, parents may encourage their child to substitute educational activities for work, which can potentially improve educational outcomes. Parents may become more supportive of their child’s educational endeavours if the crisis convinces parents that less educated workers suffer more than educated workers. So the major question that comes to the mind of a child in this kind of environment is: “How can I stay motivated about my education during this economic crisis in Sri Lanka?” The best ways to stay focused are: Shorten study periods, but keep at it till the period is finished. Your concentration span may not be what it used to be, but keep gently bringing your mind back to the study till the time is over. It helps train the mind to go where we want it to go Have specific goals for each period, the more specific and doable the better Pick the time of day that’s easier for you to study, usually the time we are more accustomed to studying Limit talking about the crisis. It’s tempting to talk to all and sundry over and over about the problem, but that can keep it alive in our mind past a useful stage. When enough is enough, stop Remind yourself of your goals. Our other goals may not seem very compelling in the midst of a crisis, but they were once and will be again. So don’t lose sight of them. If it helps, picture what might happen if we neglect our other goals and what might happen when we reach them Keep yourself motivated and don’t let the stress of this environment that we are surrounded by due to this economic crisis hamper your studies Study is an area of our life that we can control, and in doing so we can put ourselves into a more resourceful mental state, so that when we return to processing the problem or the crisis, we may see things with a bit more clarity and with a bit more sense that we can get through it. Use your current situation as your own strength. Work hard and always think of the success you will get in future as a result. Stay focused on your education more and more, even when this economic crisis affects you both physically and mentally, because you are the next generation of Sri Lanka. Stay focused, stay motivated, and always be cheerful.   PHOTOS © PEXELS