College Counsellor News

Running on Empty?

As we move towards the end of the school year, you might notice your battery feeling a little lower than usual.

Maybe you're more tired than normal, getting irritated more easily, finding it harder to concentrate, feeling less motivated, or becoming overwhelmed by things that wouldn't usually bother you.

That doesn't necessarily mean you're doing badly. Sometimes it simply means you've been carrying a lot for a long time.

Between schoolwork, assessments, friendships, sport, part-time jobs, family commitments, and everything else life throws your way, it's understandable to feel drained as the year starts to wind down.

Take a moment to check your battery:

80-100%: I'm feeling good and coping well.

50-80%: I'm doing okay, but I'm starting to feel tired and need to make some time to recharge.

20-50%: I'm running low. Things are feeling harder than usual, and I probably need to slow down and look after myself.

0-20%: Everything feels like a lot. I'm struggling to manage things on my own and it's time to let someone know.

What does a low battery look like?

Sometimes we don't realise we're running low until it starts showing up in other ways. You might notice that:

• You're getting frustrated or annoyed more easily.
• Small problems suddenly feel much bigger.
• You're struggling to concentrate or get started on schoolwork.
• You're withdrawing from friends or family.
• You don't feel like doing things you would normally enjoy.
• You're overthinking more than usual.
• You're staying up late but still feeling exhausted.
• You just want everyone to leave you alone.

If you recognise some of these signs, it might be your brain and body telling you that you need a break.

How are you recharging?

Recharging looks different for everyone.

For some people, it might be getting outside, playing sport, listening to music, gaming, drawing, spending time with friends, or getting an early night's sleep. For others, it might be taking some quiet time, putting the phone away for a while, eating properly, drinking enough water, or talking to someone about what's been building up.

One question to ask yourself this fortnight is:

"What's one small thing I can do today to put 10% back into my battery?"

You don't need to completely fix everything. Sometimes a few small changes can make things feel much more manageable.

Remember, you don't have to wait until you're running on empty before asking for support. Sometimes reaching out when your battery is at 40% is much easier than waiting until it reaches 5%.

Be kind to yourself as we move towards the end of the year. You've already made it through a lot of school days to get here! 

Counsellor's Reminder

Needing a break isn't being lazy. Rest, connection, and asking for support are all important parts of looking after yourself.

Counselling Service Update

A quick heads-up that Bek will be on leave from 11 November to 2 December.

If you'd like to book an appointment before then, please feel free to reach out over the coming weeks. While Bek is away, Georgia will continue to be available to support students and families on Monday and Tuesday's, and counselling services will remain available through the school.

Bek-      rebekah.madill@thrivepsychology.com.au

Georgia -  georgia.green@thrivepsychology.com.au

No concern is too big or too small. If something is on your mind, we're here to help.

Bek & GeorgiaThrive Psychology School Counsellors