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A Day in the Life of a STEP Student

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By Jared Douglas

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in the STEP program?

Keilah Pickett, a Dalat 10th grader, is sadly stuck in her home country of Brunei. She has given us some insight into what her day as a STEP student is like.

We all remember the time when we had to do online school during lockdown. Those were the days of waking up late, procrastinating, struggling to understand some of the lessons, and wishing to be with our classmates. What is it like knowing everyone else is at school, and you are stuck in the STEP program ,1000 miles away, having left your previous school, and not knowing when you will be at school face to face? During these times, a STEP student must dig deep to persevere, stay focused, and remain positive during this lonely and uncertain time.

Keilah starts her day at 7:30 am with a walk around her community to get the blood pumping to the brain. Her first Zoom call is at 8.25 AM, and she does not leave her desk much until lunchtime. Unlike the students at school, she misses out on that reprieve that we all get when moving from one class to another while getting a change in scenery.

I asked Keilah what some of the challenging parts are about being a STEP student.

“There is an overwhelming workload,” she replied. She does not have much free time as schoolwork consumes her whole day. She also said that it is difficult not having friends to ask for help with assignments and homework, “It’s hard as I am new and do not have any peers to ask questions about the work.”

Keilah’s highlight is the Zoom calls. “I really enjoy the zoom calls,” says Keilah, as it “provides extra motivation.” These calls help get her through the day.

One cool thing Keilah has over the students at school is she gets to do school with her cat, Tez, which brings a bit of joy into her long and tedious days. 

Lockdown was a sad time for us as students, and we would hate to have to go online again. As Dalat students, we need to keep remembering that the STEP students are in the same boat that we were once in. We need to encourage and keep praying for our STEP students, that they may have the motivation and perseverance to keep working through the uncertainty that lies ahead.

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