Newsletter 

WELLBEING

Accessing Wellbeing 

Students can access wellbeing via an online booking form for Wellbeing and health related matters.

 

 Student Wellbeing Check In Request Form 

 

Parents/ carers can access supports from Wellbeing for their young person via the Administration Office. 

SURFSUP WITH THE WELLBEING TEAM

We are jumping into the half way mark on term 3 and enjoying the days getting lighter and warmer. Spring has started and this means we can enjoy our weekends – students are excited for the return of the night jar market and the great food vans, music and stalls. 

Our senior students are starting to look at how they will prepare for the final run into the end of their school journey.  We know that stress can start to build for some of them, others feel the freedom within their reach, and some are planning their futures with excitement.  This newsletter, we thought it would be good to look at exam preparation from a wellbeing perspective. 

To help reduce stress and ensure that you're as organised as you can be, it is important to learn more about planning and looking after yourself. Through staying focused you can be as ready for the exam as you can be.

Take the time to plan

  • Prepare a study plan and goals for each day / week.  Make sure it's balanced with other important things in your life - that way it will be easier to stick to.
  • Talk to your employers early to let them know you need to limit your shifts / hours while studying.
  • Create a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well lit, organised, and has no distractions nearby, such as a TV, phone, people talking, etc.
  • Make sure you have everything you need for each study session as this helps to feel more confident and organised.

Look after yourself

  • Self care is especially important when you have a big demand in your life - that way you have the energy to commit to what you need to accomplish.
  • Build activities you enjoy and that bring your stress levels down into your study plan, such as sport, spending time with friends, internet, etc.
  • Don't get hungry before or while studying. Grab nutritional snacks that keep you going, such as fruit/nuts/dairy, etc.
  • Remember to get some exercise every day as this helps you to keep focused and energetic.

Rest when you need to

  • Work out what times of day you have the most energy and plan to study then.
  • Don't study more than 40-60 mins without a short break. Even a 5 minute break will help.  A glass of water helps too!
  • When you have a break do something physical or fun, such as go for a short run or play with a pet.
  • Try to keep your focus on school and exams rather than other stuff happening in your life; you don't need this extra worry around relationships, friendships etc. right now.
  • Relaxation is important, especially before bed, to slow the brain activity down.  Try some slow, deep breathing, a shower or a bath, herbal tea etc.
  • Learn more about sleeping well

Stay focused

  • Say "no" to parties during the weeks close to the exams. This will help to keep you refreshed and energised.
  • When studying, switch your phone and email off to stop the distractions.
  • Try to keep a focus on your health and wellbeing by not using things like drugs or alcohol; they can make it much harder to study.

Ask for help

  • Stay at school until your last day so you don't miss any important info about exams, or fun events with your colleagues.
  • Practice writing essays and show your teachers for feedback for improvement.
  • Ask teachers the best way to study for each subject; they have many years experience they can share with you.
  • Some teachers are happy to be contacted during the time leading up to the exams. Find out which ones you can contact and make use of this if you need to.
  • If you have trouble approaching your own teacher for advice, talk to one of the other ones who teach the same subject.
  • Group study sessions with classmates can be a helpful and entertaining way of studying, but keep your focus on what you want to achieve with these sessions.
  • Talk about what you are studying with family members and friends as this helps to retain the info more, especially names and dates, etc.

Be prepared

  • Read/ write everything three times as this also helps to commit the info to memory.
  • Use your trial exam results to focus in on what you need study.
  • Use previous exam papers to get a feel for what to expect.
  • Ask friends what they are doing that is helping with their study or friends who did it last year.
  • You need to study within 24 hours of the exam on that subject to retain more info.
  • Write things in coloured texta that you have trouble remembering (such as names and dates) and blu-tak to your toilet wall/door. Sounds funny, but it really works!

Day of the exam

  • Do your usual routine, for example, have what you normally eat for breakfast.
  • Take some water and a healthy snack (if allowed) to the exam.

And finally...

 

If the stress is getting to you it will prevent you from studying effectively and confidently - so ask for help from headspace, a counsellor, professional, or help line.

 

Taken from Headspace https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/prepare-for-exams/

 

For some more great tips look at the resources at Reach Out. https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/things-to-try-exam-stress/help-my-teenager-manage-exam-stress

As Always stay kind and reach out if you need too. 

Michelle, Mel, Jas, Sarah, and Rachel

Mate Space / Headspace

Headspace Geelong has been hosting Mate Space sessions in Torquay.

These male only sessions are held inside the Youth Centre at KMCC and runs from 4pm-6pm.