‘New Beginnings’
Recently one of our programme members Zoe was reflecting on how challenging she always found starting a new educational year and those feelings of anxiety and stress followed her from secondary school to University. Zoe wanted to support other young people who could be feeling the same, so decided to write an article sharing her top 5 tips on dealing with the stresses of a new academic year and new beginnings in general.
As the days get shorter, we welcome the Autumn and Winter months. It is also a time when we receive new beginnings. There’s so much going on, and it can bring an array of feelings such as nervousness, excitement and confusion. Whatever you think, being prepared will help calm the chaos and prepare you for the months ahead. Here are my top five tips for handling your new beginnings:
- Organisation
Whether you have a daily schedule or a simple to-do list, having a plan for your day will help you tackle your tasks and aid your productivity. It may ease those chaotic thoughts from an overwhelming amount to do to an achievable to-do list. Never forget to prioritise! It’s best to have a top 3 ‘must-do’s’ on your list, then a pile of ‘would-like-to-dos’ and ‘can-do’s’ for another day. I also recommend calendar blocking, where we block out time for specific tasks.
- Have Goals
Having goals give you direction during your year. For example, if you have a goal of moving up a grade or writing a book, you can break these down into smaller milestones. This will help to boost your morale, allowing you to celebrate the small wins and progress you make throughout the year. Make sure your goals are SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Have a Support Network
New beginnings are scary, so make sure you have someone to support you during these times. Discussing your problems with a person or people you trust in a safe space is helpful. It can help relieve some of the tension and help you explore new ways to deal with issues and provide comfort. Always ask for help; no matter what you’re struggling with, there will be somebody out there who can support and help you through it. Never be afraid to ask!
Here are some places that can help you with issues you may face:
- Kooth
- The Nest Southwark
- Young Minds
- Sane
- Shout
- Get to grips with your work and Study techniques
Struggling to Focus? It happens to the best of us. There are plenty of techniques for you to use to enhance your working/ studying hours. The Pomodoro technique (a time management method based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by five-minute breaks) is widespread, and you can find free apps and videos on any app store and on youtube. There are many other techniques to try, so never feel limited to the one you are given. Don’t be disheartened or too hard on yourself if one method doesn’t work. All our brains work differently, and what works for you might not work for others. It’s a process of finding out what works for you, so don’t stress out too much!
- Make time for fun!
This is the most important one. It’s all well and good to have all your work done, but it is pointless if you burn out. Having hobbies and doing extracurricular clubs will help you to develop as a person, let your brain relax so you can process what you’ve done, and enable you to find new skills you can leverage. I can also help you find your support network. Whether in an establishment or not, it’s always worth having a group for hobbies and interests.
Final Message
Don’t overthink it! If you’re working towards something that means a lot to you, then you’re on the right path. Even when it gets tough, just know that every small step you take is valuable, even if it’s just getting up in the morning. You’re on the right path, so keep going! Good luck, everyone!
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