Academic Wellness

An essential component of academic success is the ability to concentrate, to focus one’s mind on the task at hand, often for long periods of time.  Yet many students struggle to pay attention even for short periods, distracted by feelings of boredom, the need for stimulation (increasingly in the form of devices, social media, and video games), or changing emotional states.

Our Student Wellness program teaches students of all ages basic mindfulness techniques that empower them to become aware of and control the direction of their own thoughts.  Our program also introduces students to the practice of metacognition ("thinking about thinking"), through which students learn to use their own thinking process to regulate and improve their academic performance.  

Through practicing and mindfulness and metacognition, students increase their ability to:

• Concentrate
• Study actively
• Monitor comprehension & evaluate progress
• Identify blocks to learning
• Think both analytically and creatively
• Become aware of individual cognitive challenges & strengths
• Maintain motivation & sustain effort
• Cope with the stress of everyday academia
• Reduce test anxiety

The practice of mindfulness is also applicable outside of the classroom, of course, and helps students bring greater presence and vitality to all of their activities.

For more detailed information on Abra’s work helping students optimize academic performance, please visit the website for The Chernik Group, her private tutoring practice.