In college studies, some aspects in psychology were tackled which they said would be relevant and useful as we plunge in to the battlefield. I must say they are right. I was able to easily understand the behavior and attitudes of my students and at the same time find and also develop ways to manage those. But now that we are in the middle of the pandemic, I am wondering how they are doing. To add, I can’t help to think about how teachers also cope.

Truly everyone is affected by this crisis and I suddenly remembered the psych term “learned helplessness”. This is very timely to what is happening to us at present because it explains how an individual typically accepts that they cannot really perform or accomplish something which is what we are encountering right now. Majority cannot hold face to face classes. Everyone is advised to choose to new sets of Learning Deliver Modalities (LDMs).

From this experience, I can say that helplessness can something worth appreciated for it makes us face reality. Accepting defeat does not mean failure. It does not only play its role sports where a loser accepts defeat and he is practicing sportsmanship. It is about something else which is deeper and beyond.

Helplessness is great depending on how it’s being perceived and taken. If one’s helplessness paved a way for him to acknowledge his weaknesses as well as things which are unattainable, I see that as a good start. If that would lead him to search for a way to focus on his strengths and work out his weaknesses, then that’s learned helplessness.

I know we are all experiencing helplessness right now, but I believe we should perceive it as an opportunity for us to see and make better options which are more feasible. May this helplessness we feel serve as an instrument for us to learn more about ourselves and things around us.

By: Marides R. Mardo | BNHS