Education
From time to time, everyone has difficult times or worries about issues or things that are happening in school or college. From the pressure of exams to friendships and teachers, school can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.
There are so many pressures to overcome as a young person going through education especially as teenagers.
Our teen years are a period of huge physical and mental developmental growth and change.
Our hormones and biology is changing constantly. We trying to form relationships, build friendships and peer groups, plan a path for our futures, deal with people we don’t like or get on with, figure out who we are, pushing boundaries, learning how to be independent. All this is occurring whilst we are also under pressure to succeed in education, manage relationships with teachers and parents, trying to fit in with others, maybe dealing with issues like bullying or other issues, pressure from peers, on ourselves, on others, not getting enough sleep, not getting the right food. Phew! that’s not even everything you may be dealing with. Is it any wonder why you have times when you’re not feeling 100% on your game?
The important thing is to recognise when this pressure is becoming to much and in this section we will try to help you to better navigate this period in our lives in a positive and proactive way.
What is it like to be a young person today?
This fantastic video from TEDx Youth delivered by Emily Bobryk-Ozaki outlines all the reasons why being a young person for some might be overwhelming at times.
What can you do f you’re struggling in education?
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Worrying and feeling under pressure when exams are looming is pretty normal and usually nothing to worry about if you act early in recognising when your stress levels are creeping into anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.
It’s really important that if the pressure of exams is getting too much that you talk to someone about how you are feeling. You school and teachers will understand and can help you to find a solution to the problem.
If you don’t feel able to talk to your teacher you could speak to your Health Services in Schools Youth Worker who will be able to talk to you about putting strategies in place to help you manage your mood.
Some tips to help you manage your exam stress are:
Try not to compare yourself with others.
Set yourself some realistic goals. Regular goal setting for really small things like keeping your room tidy or making your bed everyday can really help in making your larger goals feel more manageable. You also experience more satisfaction knowing no matter what happens you are achieving your goals.
Focus on today. It’s pointless thinking to far into the future. Worrying what might happen takes energy away from what you can do today.
Give yourself a break. Cramming to much into your day may seem productive but it can sometime be the opposite.
Talk to someone about how you are feeling and don’t wait for problems to get better on their own.
Keep the space you study at home clean and tidy. Just like the saying goes tidy space, tidy mind.
Do things that you enjoy and help you unwind at the end of the day.
Get outside, walk, run, sit. Go outside into a green space like a park or woods, take a few deep breaths and make yourself aware of your surrounding. Time outside is proven to help lower your stress.
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Unfortunately some young people may experience some form of bullying. Bullying is something that can hurt you on the inside or the outside.
Bullying is done on purpose. No one deserves to be bullied.
If you feel like you are being bullied don’t suffer in silence. Talk to someone.
You have teachers in school who can help you, HSIS Youth Workers, your family and there are also support services available to who can help you.
Bullybusters are open Monday to Friday 3-6pm. Call them on 08001696928.
Some tips to help straight away:
Try to remove yourself from the situation
Keep a diary of what is happening and write in the 4W’s WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and When.
Talk to someone: Your family, teachers, carers, mentor, youth worker etc
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Specific difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, autism or other mental and physical difficulties can also in addition affect your ability to manage in school. Especially when you are feeling stressed or anxious.
Your teachers should already know if you have any difficulties but It is important if you have any additional needs or difficulties that you make sure they are aware in order to make sure they are able to adapt the lessons to support your needs.
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Pressure is something we all feel from time to time. Exams, lessons, home life and peers. It all adds to our sense of pressure.
Make sure you talk to someone like a parent or guardian, teacher, youth worker or friend if you are feeling overwhelmed by pressure.
Tell them how you feel. Just talking honestly with someone you trust can help to make problems seem easier, take the pressure off as well as giving you time to plan and strategize how you will manage the pressure going forward.
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When your struggling with school work it’s really important not to just wait for it to get easier. Talking to your teachers and explaining what it is you are struggling with will help them to help you.
They may need to explain it in a different way or change something but unless they know you are struggling they can’t really do anything to help you. So tell them!
Staying on top of your mental health during exam season
Today sees young people from across Wirral returning to school following the Easter school holidays. That means for many of you things in your life are about change. You maybe leaving college and heading off to uni, starting a job, planning a break during summer or beginning your career. Before any of that starts though you will need to get through your exams. GCSE or A Levels both are challenging and important.
This time of year we often see an increase in young people’s levels of anxiety and stress. This is pretty normal given the pressure that taking exams can have. It’s really important though that you recognise when your mental health is suffering and prepare and act early to ensure you keep on top of it.
5 Top tips to help you keep on top of your mental health during exam season
Talk to people if you are struggling
Don’t sit round waiting for things to just get easier. If you are struggling, be sure to chat to your parents and carers, your teachers and lecturers and your peers. Tell them how you are feeling. It probably won’t make the exams easier but it will help you to gather your thoughts and hlep you to work through and strategise your problems.
Eat well
Eating a healthy diet is always something to work towards but especially during exam periods eating a healthy diet will ensure your body has everythign it needs to keep you focused and feeling well. You might be tempted to reach for a can of energy drink to help you cram some mre revision in but it’s likley going to have the opposite effect causing you crash a small time later.
Try to make sure your getting some protein with every meal: fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, lentils, beans, chicken, meat, nuts and seeds. Eat fruit and non-starchy vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables, helping yourself to at least seven servings a day.
Drink lots of water: eight or more cups daily. Enjoy coffee, tea and dark chocolate in moderation.
Get enough sleep
Here at ZILLO we are always going on about sleep but it really is a superpower. Sleep is primarily for the brain. It allows the brain to recover and turns information into memory. Without a good night’s sleep your brain finds it difficult to do this.
Be sure to check out our better sleep tips in the HUB.
Give yourself breaks
You probably have a pretty full diary with school, college and revision but it’s really important to make sure your also planning in down time. Use this time to do something completely unrelated. Go for a walk, get some exercise, watch some TV, listen to music. Whatever it is just make sure you plan it, and do it when the time comes. You’ll feel more relaxed and refreshed ready to go again.
Be kind to yourself
Working hard to achieve something important to you is a really admirable thing but it can also be the thing holding you back. It’s not the end of the world if something doesn’t go to plan straight away. Work hard, plan some down time, hang out with friends, listen to good music, exercise, and make sure your getting enough sleep and your doing everything you can to succeed.
Preparing for college and Uni Interviews
Exam season may just around the corner and your getting ready for interview at a your choice of college or uni.
For some people just the thought of being interviewed is terrifying but it doesn’t need to be. We’ve put together our top tips to make sure you impress the interviewer.
Use our top tips to help you plan for your interview, and get an idea of some of the questions you may be asked.
Interviews are how course and training providers find out if you’d be a good fit. It’s also a chance for you to find out more about the course, the people, and the place, as well as getting to show a bit more about yourself and your aspirations for the future.
Our 5 Top Tips
Arrive early
Make sure you have planned your journey well ahead of time. How your getting there the bus and train times and make sure you have a back up plan for if something goes wrong . Aim to get there 30 minutes before your interview time. This will give you some time to settle your nerves, catch a breath and re-read your application, notes, and questions you've prepared.
Make sure you have the documents you need
Make sure you bring certificates, ID, or a portfolio if you're asked to.
Try to be yourself but take it seriously –
You don’t need to look like you know everything but you do you need to look like you’re taking it seriously, make sure you’ve had a wash, wear something clean and smart. Keep it simple and clean.
Be enthusiastic
Try to focus on what you are being asked, let them see that you are interested in the subject and that this course is something you are committed to doing. Try not to slouch and try to give good eye contact. Always make sure your phone is on silent.
Don’t lie or get caught up in a half-truth because you want to impress
If you’re not really into sports, don’t pretend to be. The same applies to other things too, like exam results or special achievements.
Think up some questions to ask them ahead of time
Interviews usually finish with them asking you if you have any questions. It’s your chance to get the information you need to make sure this course is what you really want to do. It also shows that you have prepared and done your research. Two or three questions will be enough. If for some reason you don’t have any questions at the end make sure you let them know that the questions you did have were answered during the interview.
Most importantly, be yourself!
Tell them what you're good at, what you like, what your plans are, and ask your questions. It’s just as important you interview them to make sure it's the right next step for you.
Further Support
Health Services in Schools Youth Workers
HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.
Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.
We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.
To find your youth worker visit their page.
Morthyng Vocational College
We offer Vocational qualifications in Construction, Sport and Leisure, ITQ, Business Administration, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Pre unformed Service programmes. All accredited by either City and Guilds, Btec, Childcare and Health and Social Care.
As well as English, Mathematics, ICT Functional skills and Personal and Social Skills qualification in Work skills, and a broad based programme called Vocational studies, which allows you to choose vocational units to meet your career choice.
You may be entitled to receive a payment towards your training under government bursary payments. Morthyng will top these payments up to £30.00 per week inclusive of travel to support your training requirements if you receive less than £30.00 per week.
Morthyng Vocational College, 52 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 5AE
Youth Fed
Youth Fed brings together young people in need with people prepared to help. Providing support for youth groups, connecting youth professionals with training programmes and giving a leg up to young people between the ages of 13 and 25 — especially those who need it most.
Telephone: 0151 357 1971
Email: info@youthfed.org
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize - Home Education Online
BBC Bitesize, is the BBC's free online study support resource for school-age pupils in the United Kingdom. It is designed to aid pupils in both schoolwork and, for older pupils, exams.
Use bbc.com/bitesize to help with your homework, revision and learning. Find free videos, guides, activities and quizzes by level and subject.
Email: YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk