Student Services
Building Friendships
Managing Stress and Finding Balance
Friendships are one of the highlights of secondary school. They bring laughter, belonging, and support but they can also be challenging, especially when stress or conflict enters the picture. Learning how to build and maintain healthy friendships is an important life skill that can reduce stress and make your school experience more positive.
Why Friendships Matter
Having a good friend by your side can:
- Reduce feelings of loneliness
- Boost confidence and self-worth
- Provide support during tough times
- Make school feel fun and meaningful
Friendships are not just about having people to sit with at lunch they can help you manage stress, improve your wellbeing, and even motivate you to do better at school.
Tips for Building Healthy Friendships
1. Communicate Honestly
Good communication is the foundation of friendship. Be open about how you’re feeling and listen when your friend shares.
Misunderstandings are normal but can be solved with calm, respectful conversations.
2. Respect Differences
You and your friends won’t always agree, and that’s okay. Healthy friendships allow space for different opinions, hobbies, and personalities.
3. Notice Red Flags
Sometimes, friendships can become draining or negative. If you feel worse after spending time with someone, it may be worth rethinking how much energy you give to that relationship.
4. Support Each Other Through Stress
School stress can test friendships. Instead of competing, share strategies study together, encourage breaks, or just be a listening ear.
5. Balance Your Time
It’s important to have a mix of social time, study time, and personal downtime. Strong friendships don’t require constant contact; they respect boundaries.
When Friendships Change
Not every friendship will last forever, and that’s part of growing up. People change, interests shift, and sometimes friends drift apart. This doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it just means you’re learning what kind of connections help you thrive.
Where to Find Support
If friendship challenges feel overwhelming or stressful, reach out for support:
- Talk with a trusted teacher or Year Level Coordinator
- Visit the Wellbeing Team or School Counsellor
- Connect with services like:
Friendships are one of life’s greatest joys, but they take effort, patience, and respect. When you invest in positive, healthy connections, you create a support system that makes school and life so much more manageable.
Mrs Tahlia Pastor, Ms Alicia Alpuim and
Roxann Allan
Wellbeing Team
Self Care Tips:
Here are some ways to prevent a build up of stress and tension include:
- Practice relaxation techniques such as learning to take deep breaths
- Eat regular healthy meals.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Exercise regularly.
- Take a warm shower or bath to calm and relax muscles and your mind.
- Talk about problems and worries with another person.
- Balance work and play. Make time for hobbies. These will relax your mind and are a good escape from worries.
- Organise your time. Make a to do list and prioritise daily tasks and allow ample time to get things done.
- Reward yourself with little things that you enjoy.
- Remember to make time for relationships with the important people in your life.
- Remember to laugh and smile! Laughter makes our muscles go limp and releases tension and pressure. When events seem overwhelming, try to keep a sense of humour.
- Take a look at the 50 ways to take a break picture for some ideas on ways to relax and unwind.
Mrs Jo Morkham
DiSS Nurse