Introduction and Background

The learning environment at Ying Wa College is generally ideal, with academic discussions frequently held during lunch periods and after school in certain classes. Various class-based study groups also exist where students share notes and revision tips across different subjects. Exam-wise, numerous students have achieved 5**, the highest grade possible, in the HKDSE examination over the years, with one student even attaining seven 5** grades.

However, it has been observed that students, in general, exhibit some deficiencies in time management. This is evident through signs of fatigue during lessons and the prevalent practice of “deadline fighting” caused by the addictive nature of social media and a lack of training in time management skills. Additionally, there is a need for more sessions focused on self-improvement areas, such as stress regulation. Performance in language subjects could also be enhanced through regular practice.

In light of these observations, we propose the formation of a Learning Club dedicated to subject learning and self-improvement. This proposal outlines measures designed to enhance students’ abilities and, in turn, improve the overall studying atmosphere at the College.

Recommendation 1: Weekly Chinese and English Writing Practices
Mastery in both language and content for writing is achieved through extensive reading and consistent practice. However, students often lack the incentive to practice writing independently due to:

Limited free time
The addictive nature of social media
The time-consuming nature of compositions
The same challenges apply to reading long novels. To address this, we propose shortening writing tasks by adopting a structure similar to Chinese “小練筆” exercises. Students would be briefed on target skill sets and provided with related examples before writing several sentences. Peer reviews would be conducted after each session to offer immediate feedback. Additionally, the use of AI tools (e.g., you.com, ChatGPT) is encouraged to enhance different skills, particularly in English. These writing sessions could take place after school or during lunch and should be limited to no more than 30 minutes to accommodate students' schedules.

Recommendation 2: Note Making
Effective note-taking can significantly enhance learning by condensing textbook knowledge into manageable summaries. For systematic subjects with fixed curricula (e.g., Mathematics and Physics), notes can serve as quick reviews for specific topics before important examinations, possibly including practice questions and answering techniques. For subjects that are inherently more disorganized (e.g., Chinese, English, and Computer Science), having organized notes is even more valuable as skills are often taught “by experience.”

To implement this:

Teams with members specializing in particular subjects will be formed.
Notes will include:
Chapter summaries
Question types
Answering skills for systematic subjects, emphasizing an exam-based approach
Assistance from teachers may be necessary, especially for humanities subjects.
Recommendation 3: “Study Room” Scheme
Due to limited living space in Hong Kong, many students study in environments full of distractions, the most common being social media, along with other environmental noises. Creating a learning-friendly environment can significantly improve study effectiveness.

To establish this:

An existing classroom could be transformed into a study-friendly environment by:
Playing relaxing background music
Allowing the use of electronic notes
Providing optimal lighting
Offering occasional snacks and drinks for relaxation
Implementing a short nap session (15-20 minutes) after school
Additionally, students can be guided on how to eliminate distractions at home to simulate a study-like environment. Recommendations include:
Using Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headphones
Wearing earplugs
Maintaining a tidy desk
Recommendation 4: Digital Detox Programme
Many students are currently obsessed with their phones, spending excessive time on social media or playing video games. This behavior leads to several negative impacts, including declining academic performance, strained relationships with parents, and a sense of psychological emptiness.

The Digital Detox Programme aims not necessarily to reduce device usage but to divert students' attention through various challenges, making their lives more meaningful. Specifically:

A challenge card is drawn daily after school, encouraging participants to engage in new activities.
The ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of digital addiction and inspire students to adopt healthier habits.
Tools such as the “Digital Detox” app and a reward/punishment system can be introduced to reinforce the programme.
Participants may engage in activities like meditation, journaling, art production, photography, and more.
Recommendation 5: Time Management Sharings and Methods
Many students struggle with time management due to the overwhelming number of extracurricular activities, homework, and quizzes, leading to unsatisfactory examination results. To address this, we propose sharing effective time management methods, such as:

Completing homework before indulging in video games (referencing Recommendation 4)
Ensuring that academic results are satisfactory before committing to extracurricular activities
While implementing these methods requires effort, once adopted, students will likely manage their responsibilities more effectively and enjoy a more balanced school life.

Recommendation 6: Reading List
Reading offers numerous benefits, including expanding knowledge and vocabulary, as well as reducing stress. However, due to limited leisure time and the growing popularity of social media, this activity is not widely embraced by students.

To promote reading:

A recommended list of short books (approximately 100-150 pages) will be established.
Access to online sources like shadow libraries (e.g., Anna’s Archive) will be provided to make reading more convenient.
A book-sharing programme will be implemented, where students take turns reading and sharing books from the list. This approach allows key points and messages to be disseminated within the group, broadening students’ horizons.
Recommendation 7: Relaxing Activities
The fast-paced study environment at Ying Wa College can lead to students feeling overwhelmed and stressed, especially during examination periods. Incorporating relaxing activities can help prevent burnout and reduce stress. These activities can range from short sessions of meditation, journaling, or art-making before major exams to longer outdoor expeditions during holidays. Collaborating with social workers can enhance the programme by providing professional input and promoting its benefits effectively.

Recommendation 8: News Sharing
Many students today have limited insight into the current global landscape. This is partly due to the replacement of Liberal Studies with Chinese Studies and Distribution (CSD), which focuses more on factual knowledge and employs a pass/fail grading system rather than a nuanced grading scale. To bridge this gap, we propose the formation of a group dedicated to researching and discussing political and global issues. This group could not only enhance students' understanding of international affairs but also develop their critical thinking and research skills.

To implement this:

Hour-long gatherings will be held weekly or biweekly, potentially facilitated by former Liberal Studies teachers.
Prior to each meeting, students will be assigned specific topics to research.
Important topics to be covered include:
The United States, focusing on the "3G1A" issues: Gender, God, Gun, and Abortion
The Israel-Palestine conflict
Other significant global conflicts and political developments
By engaging in these discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of complex global issues, improve their ability to analyze information critically, and articulate their viewpoints effectively.

Conclusion

Establishing a Learning Club with these comprehensive recommendations will significantly enhance both academic performance and personal development among students at Ying Wa College. By addressing areas such as writing, note-taking, study environments, digital habits, time management, reading, relaxation, and global awareness, the club aims to create a more balanced, productive, and enriching learning atmosphere.

Make the language used more varied, e.g. different sentence patterns, vocab .etc
Elaborate more when possible.