What Students Say About Practicing Mindfulness

At the end of every mindfulness unit, I ask students to write a brief note to a friend who knows nothing about practicing mindfulness. In the note, I ask each student to describe how it feels to rest in mindful meditation, and how the student now uses mindfulness in daily life. 

Below, I have listed comments straight from students who have completed a mindfulness unit with me. I have quoted student comments verbatum; so, spelling errors were not left out.

• I think mindfulness has definitely helped me become more aware of focusing. I learned to bring my attention back when it wandered. Mindfulness helped me with hard and confusing tests. 
• It feels sort of strange at first but it is very peaceful. I can’t really tell exactly how I use mindfulness at home, but I do know it helps me when I am mad at my brother. At school it helps me focus on the work I need to do.
• Mindfulness will help you concentrate. I use it every time I have a hard test or a lot of work to do because it brings my attention back to the test and the problem.
• When I am sad or kind of in a bad mood I take about 10 breaths and I get relaxed. I learned this from mindfulness. I enjoyed learning about mindfulness because it helps me forget about my problems so I can focus on the things I need to do in peace and focus.
• Mindfulness is a way of understanding and being aware of feelings. It feels very relaxing to practice mindfulness and helps me focus. Mindfulness helps me before I start my homework because I get relaxed so I will do a better job.
• Practicing mindfulness has given me so much stress relief. I used the mindfulness things we learned when I am stressed out, or when I have an anxiety attack. This has been the best thing I have learned to help with anxiety.
• Mindfulness is something I learned from my counselor at school. I have learned to breath, and focus my thoughts on now instead of the past or future. This feels very calming and helps me feel more confident about my work, and helps me focus my attention in the right places. Mindfulness helps me most when I am nervous or stressed about something.

Best,

Kristine Kilgour, M.Ed., LPSC

School Counselor, Consultant, & Mediator

rfhscounselor@gmail.com