Health & Wellbeing
The importance of self-care for high school students
As a high school student, it's normal to be overwhelmed by the demands of academic work, extracurricular activities, and social obligations. With so much going on, it can be easy to neglect your own needs and wellbeing. But self-care is essential for maintaining good physical, emotional, and mental health - so how can you prioritise it when life is already so full? Let's look at the importance of self-care and see three examples of self-care practices you can incorporate into your daily routine.
What is self-care?
Self-care involves taking intentional actions to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. It can take many forms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep, eating well, practising mindfulness, and seeking support from others.
Why is self-care is important?
Self-care is crucial for all of us, but particularly for high school students for several reasons:
Reduce stress and anxiety
High school can be a stressful time, with academic pressure, social challenges, and uncertainty about the future. Practising self-care can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, allowing you to feel more relaxed and focused.
Boost academic performance
When you feel good, you're better equipped to handle the demands of schoolwork. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep can all improve cognitive function and memory retention, leading to better academic performance.
Improve overall wellbeing
Self-care can help you feel happier, more confident, and more fulfilled. When you prioritise your own needs and take care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to handle life's challenges and pursue your goals.
Three examples of self-care for high school students
Here are three examples of things you can do to practise self-care in your everyday life.
Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve both physical and mental health. You don't have to be an elite athlete or run a marathon - even simple activities like walking, jogging, or yoga can help you feel more energised, reduce stress levels, and improve your mood.
Mindfulness
Practising mindfulness involves being present in the moment and non-judgmentally observing your thoughts and feelings. This can be done through meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few minutes to tune out distractions and focus on the present. Mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and increase overall wellbeing.
Social support
Maintaining social connections is essential for our wellbeing. Make time for friends and family, join a club or organisation that aligns with your interests, or seek support from a trusted adult or mental health professional when you need it. Having a strong support network can help you feel more confident and resilient in the face of challenges.
Be kind to yourself
Remember, there's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to practise self-care. Forcing yourself to do something you don't enjoy will only have the opposite effect - so try out different techniques until you find what works best for you.
You can find more wellbeing tips and advice on our website here.
7 tips for maximising your scholarship application
Thinking of applying for a scholarship? There are heaps of reasons why you should - but how can you make sure your application is the one that stands out from the crowd? We have some tips for maximising your scholarship application.
Start early
Some scholarship applications can be quite involved and need a lot of information, so it's best to ensure you give yourself enough time to get all your documents together and can craft a quality application. Plus, the earlier you start the less likely it is you'll miss the closing date!
Use examples
There are lots of scholarships that will probably ask you to demonstrate your skills or experience - so think of situations you've been in and how they might specifically apply to the scholarship you're applying for. A great way of doing this is by using the STAR method:
Situation: Describe the situation and when it took place.
Task: Explain the task, the goal and your role.
Action: Provide details about the action you took.
Result: Talk about the results of your actions, try and use concrete numbers or evidence if possible.
Read the criteria carefully
While it might seem like a good idea to cast a wide net, you should still make sure you're eligible for any scholarships you apply for. At the end of the day, you'll not only be wasting the assessor's time but your own as well.
Do some research
If the scholarship is offered or sponsored by a donor, do some research on them. Think of ways you can tie your skills and experience together with the donor's mission or goals, and use this to your advantage. It shows you've gone that one step further and can make your application stand out.
Make it personal
A lot of the time, institutions will want to know a bit more about you and your motivations. It's important to answer any questions honestly and not just say what you think they'll want to hear. And if your personality and interests tie in with the scholarship criteria, even better - use that as a way to show why you're most deserving of the scholarship.
Keep it relevant
Building on the point above, it's also important to make sure you don't spend lots of time waffling on about things that aren't relevant to the scholarship. Addressing any eligibility criteria in a way that's both concise and relevant is a great way to maximise your application (plus a lot of applications will have word limits you need to stick to as well).
Don't limit yourself
There are literally thousands of scholarships out there - so give yourself the best chance of winning one and apply for as many as you can. Lots of scholarships go unawarded every year simply because people don't apply! Don't forget to keep point three in mind though, and make sure you're eligible before applying.
Interested in applying for a scholarship? You can search through hundreds on our database here.