Mr Todman’s top tips for successful learning

As we start the new school year, Blackfriars’ Director of Teaching, Learning and Pathways Carl Todman has shared his advice for becoming a successful learner in 2024.

Embrace learning

If you are open to learning new things, I believe this helps you to have a rich and wonderful life.

Learning makes you more interesting and employable. Learning opens doors to new experiences and leads to new opportunities. Learning can be fun and provide you with a sense of achievement.

So, embrace learning. Work on being positive when you face new challenges. Consider what you can do instead of what you can’t do.

Sometimes learning is easy and sometimes it’s really difficult. But if you take risks and try new things, ask questions, work hard and learn from your mistakes, you will develop and grow as a person through your engagement with the learning.

Practise gratitude

Respect that your parents work hard and make sacrifices so you can come to Blackfriars, learn new things and access new opportunities.

Be grateful that you have kind, empathetic, hard-working teachers to help you on this journey. Every now and then you could say thank you to them.

Be grateful that you have this chance in life to learn in a safe and supportive environment, which you can see is improving all the time with fabulous new facilities.

In 2023, there were 129 million boys around the world who did not get the chance to attend primary school or secondary school. You are very lucky, so I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity and practise gratitude.

Focus on self-improvement

Work towards doing things better. Understand that you have weaknesses. We all do. It’s part of being human and unique.

Don’t be ashamed of your weaknesses. Recognise them and work out ways of improving your abilities in these areas. You might not be able to do this on your own. If you need help, reach out to your parents and teachers and ask for advice and feedback, ask them for their ideas.

Also, most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others. This is very unhelpful and will just damage your self-esteem. Just work towards gradual improvement, whether it is in your studies, in your chosen co-curricular activities or personally.

I wish you a safe and successful 2024.