Covid-19 - Looking at the bright side

Picture: José Marques, Portugal

Looking at the bright side 

Living in the midst of a pandemic there are fewer things we can do, but is that really something to fear? 

We’ve been given a chance to rethink about everything, about the things we did, we do and we want to do, it’s the perfect time to find motivation. Sure, online classes sound boring when we think about the whole waking up early even though we feel like we are having some really long vacations, but just indulge in this for a second: it occupies less of our time, our schedules are lighter and we get the chance to do a lot of things we feel like doing, one can be working out, writing a novel, playing games with some friends (that’s where the internet comes in handy!) or doing anything else. 

This isn’t social distancing, this is pure physical distancing, you still have the means to communicate to anyone you love and wish to talk to. That’s what you should keep in mind, things will get better and the whole world will learn, even if just a tiny bit, about how great the outcomes are when various countries cooperate in order to do something good for mankind. Just like our little big project, that got together a group of teenagers, from four different countries and created bonds stronger than those we could imagine. 

João Rodrigo Faria, Portugal

Covid-19 – a surreal reality

As students, during this Covid-19 outbreak, we have been dealing with big concerns about school, exams and classes. However, we are certain about one thing: the school year is not ruined.

Suddenly being the best solution due to the conditions in which we find ourselves, we were required to migrate to the online and we had to adapt and learn through a digital platform.

Learning from home has both positive and negative aspects. Learning online, and in a very short time, as we had never experienced in other circumstances, is a very positive challenge. The ability to adapt to learning and using new ways of communicating was a very important step and I would say of self-improvement. On the other hand, a more negative aspect is worth mentioning: social real life interaction and teamwork are being lost, hopefully not for too long.

Then, we started to value everything we took for granted up to now, namely school life. Although this e-learning component opens new learning opportunities, we miss the usual school routine and we miss our friends.

Finally, we can only show enthusiasm, effort and dedication, which is needed now more than ever, in this new stage of our school life. On the 18th may the senior students, who are preparing for their 11th and 12th grade national exams are going back to school. It’s weird… everybody wearing masks, keeping social distance, students confined in their classroom …

People are scared as they are trying to go back to some of their normal activities. The idea of coexisting with this virus has changed the way we see each other and it is like a shadow hanging over our lives.

Still, we have to believe that better days are to come and we need to stay positive and take care of each other by being patient and warm-hearted.

Dear friends in Finland, Croatia and Italy, keep safe and we will all be together soon. 😊

Telma Rodrigues, Portugal

Cooperation, respect and consideration

I think that, in order for a team to function well, all its members should be shown equal respect and we should strive to have understanding for other people's ideas. However, I also think that it is important to respect yourself, to know your values and possibilities and to advocate your views.

Teamwork is based on working together and respecting each other. While working in a team, people can get closer and the atmosphere is going to be more positive. When respecting one another we are showing that we acknowledge their work and ideas. Members of a team need to push each other and work together under all circumstances in order to succeed.

Working in a team means helping each other to achieve a common goal. To show respect towards the people we are working with means we have to cooperate, accept their ideas and thoughts and make compromises. We need to be supportive and friendly to our team members to make our cooperation easier and enjoyable.

Majority of the time we spend in school or at work, we are surrounded by other people and we work in groups. In this situations is easy to forget about other peopleˋs emotions and thoughts. The best way to show respect and to maintain good cooperation is to listen other`s opinion and to be ready for compromise. Every team member should know how to express thoughts, respect other ideas and be involved in the work.

You can show respect and consideration by doing your job (or homework, studying etc.) on time, put a lot of tought and hard work in to everything you do. You can cooperate as a team member if you listen and respect others, do your part and help others.

When you`re working in a team, you should respect others and their opinions. You shouldn`t work only by yourself and you shouldn`t let others to work alone. Teamwork is dreamwork.

When we work in groups we should always listen to everybodys ideas, we should respect their ideas and thoughts. In order to cooperate everybody in the team must respect others and listen to them.

How can you show respect and consideration at school or at work?
I can show it by actively listening to what my classmates/coworkers have to say and not just pretending to listen while I wait for my turn. I can always try to solve a problem by objectively considering every solution and concluding what the best one is (or finding compromise among more solutions), without pushing on my own ideas if I realize they aren't the best.

How to cooperate as a team member? If a leader is established, they should be treated as such. Everyone's ideas should be respected and taken into consideration. You should try and divide the work among the team members equally, and to make sure the work is divided so each member is doing the work they're best at. You should also be assertive and not let others stop you from speaking your mind if you have something to say.