Adjustment to being a FL
Depending on the learner there may be an adjustment period - a time to adjust to the full potential of being a Free Learner. Some people call this “deschooling”. It may take some time to remove some of your schoolish ideas and ways of thinking.
Think about it -- How long have you and your family members been complying with the demands of school? How long have you been told what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and whom to do it with? These old mental habits may take a while to purge and in the meantime you may experience some temporary dysfunction.
Whether you have this dysfunction or what it looks like will vary from person to person. But here are some common behaviors and feelings you may experience.
If you experience any of these, be reassured that it is totally normal and for most people temporary. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family and friends about what is happening and reach out to the Unschooling School team if you need additional information or help.
Think about it -- How long have you and your family members been complying with the demands of school? How long have you been told what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and whom to do it with? These old mental habits may take a while to purge and in the meantime you may experience some temporary dysfunction.
Whether you have this dysfunction or what it looks like will vary from person to person. But here are some common behaviors and feelings you may experience.
- Lack of motivation or interest in anything academic
- Obsession with a particular activity such as gaming or sleeping
- A feeling of boredom and lack of purpose
- Anxiety about current or future success
If you experience any of these, be reassured that it is totally normal and for most people temporary. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family and friends about what is happening and reach out to the Unschooling School team if you need additional information or help.
"Most of us were taught to see a false dichotomy between 'learning' and 'fun'."
-Jan Hunt, from her article Deschooling a Parent: Learning to Trust
