Dubai: The UAE is a fast paced country and the busy lives of its residents are reflective of the country’s development in a short period of time. Professionals in the main cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai tend to lead hectic lives and teachers believe this also makes working parents overschedule their children’s lives too.
“In Dubai I find that most students are overscheduled,” said Samir Aoun, deputy principal of the International School of Arts and Sciences (ISAS). “Parents are extremely busy so they try to engage their kids in extracurricular activities to fill their days.”
However, Chirine Abohamad, deputy co-director of Al Mawakeb School in Dubai,believes overscheduling of students, although on the increase, is not a major focus for parents. “The focus is more on studying and enhancing the academic aspects of students,” she said.
Gradual increase
In recent years increased youth addiction to digital gadgets has lead parents to diversify their children’s schedules, observed Abohamad.
“The increased overscheduling of students’ activities has come gradually due to several factors,” she said. “The rising trend of children addicted to electronics and gadgets has caused parents to enlist their children in other extra-curricular activities so as to curb this obsession.”
Additionally, increasing awareness among parents about child obesity pushes them to keep their children active, she added.
Mayassa Shebib, a grade 11 student at ISAS is a busy bee. She is a member of the Model United Nations club at her school and after school regularly takes piano and tennis lessons.
“I don’t feel I’m overscheduled… it was my choice,” she said. “I have an open relationship with my parents where we discuss everything and they are very supportive of my choices as long as they don’t affect my academic performance.”
Dealing with the stress
Students who do start to feel overwhelmed with the pressure of a hectic schedule should, however, ask themselves what things they are developing a passion for and what their true talents are, advises Professor Gerald Huether, a German-based neurobiologist.
“It is important for students to evaluate themselves and find out what in their lives please them the most,” he said. “People who know what they want are not overwhelmed by all the demands made of them.”
The best approach to a busy schedule is to write all the responsibilities on small notes and stick them on the wall and whenever a task is completed, throw the note away, he added.
It is the feeling of loss of control or not being able to accomplish everything that causes students to stress out.
However, keeping a busy schedule can be beneficial for children and youths.
“Having a busy schedule allows the child to learn responsibility and time-management skills,” said Abouhamad. “Overscheduling can, however, have a negative effect on the students’ academic and classroom performance if left unattended.”
Yet, students with busy lifestyles tend to have high self-esteem and are therefore more sociable individuals, added Aoun.
“At the end of the day it up to parents to work with schools, and vice-versa, to guide overscheduled students in the best way possible [so as not to compromise they academic performance],” he said.
— With inputs from DPA
