The complete list of all life-guiding messages for young people – click the titles for further information
The things that you do after an exam are just as important for dealing with stress as the things you do before and during. You’ve worked hard and done your best and now it’s time to put the exam out of your mind entirely.
When you react to a conflict situation, you allow emotions to lead your words and actions. Instead, responding to the situation means you keep emotions in check and focus on the problem, not the person. Let them know your intention to work out a mutually acceptable solution.
“Resolving conflict” is the bomb disposal equivalent of communication skills. Conflict often happens as a result of poor communication. Avoiding conflict is not the same as resolving conflict.
Talking and writing isn’t always about performance or the telling of something – it can help with the processing of it. Getting it outside of yourself can give it a new shape for you to think about.
“Journaling” is the act of writing down your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a journal or diary. It can be used as a way to process the past (and sometimes the future) in the here and now.
When decluttering, ask yourself when was the last time you used or needed the item. For example you could put your freshly-cleaned clothes on the right-hand-side of your wardrobe, meaning the ones which migrate to the left over 6 months are the ones you no longer need.
It’s not always easy to donate or dispose of an item, but having a list of questions to ask yourself about it can help simplify the process, whether you’re moving house or just trying to clean up the junk.
Let people know that they can be honest with you. If someone thinks they need to walk on eggshells around you, they’ll likely hold things in – but those things will come out eventually, if not in words, in resentful actions.
A lot of drama comes from poor communication and confusion. Eliminate it by finding the courage to say exactly what you mean. It may be harder in the moment, but it can save a lot of heartache in the long run.
Regular sleep is important to control exam stress. Students who follow a regular sleeping pattern have been shown to perform much better than students who stay up late.