There's been lots of change going on lately, especially to the way you are learning.
Restrictions are still needed in some areas to help keep the whole community safe during COVID-19. There are also some changes at school.
Right now, it is hard to know how long these new changes will stay in place, or if more will be needed as the year goes on.
All these changes and uncertainty might make you feel confused, angry or overwhelmed. There are things you can do to look after your health and wellbeing. Remember, the kind of support you need may change as time passes.
It is also important to remember your teachers and your school community are there to support you. Your school should be a safe place to learn and somewhere where you can get extra support if you need to.
Talk to a teacher or school wellbeing member
If things are getting too much, or you're worried about someone at home, talk to a trusted staff member or another trusted adult.
It's also good to check in with your friends, to see how they are feeling. If you're concerned about another student's wellbeing or safety, it is important that you tell a teacher or another trusted adult. This isn't betraying a confidence, it's one of the best ways you can look after a friend.
If the staff member is worried about your safety, or the safety of someone else, they will have to talk to the principal.
Looking after yourself
There are also lots of things you can do to look after yourself. You could:
- take a break from the news and social media
- spend time with people who make you laugh and feel happy
- do some exercise
- try to eat healthily and keep the unhealthy snack foods and drinks as treats
- get creative with some art, poetry or music
- try meditation and mindfulness
There are also a whole bunch of great tips and resources online. You might find some of these links helpful.
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ReachOut
headspace
How to cope with stress related to Coronavirus
Smiling Mind
Kids Helpline
Melbourne Football Club
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VicSRC
headspace
Kids Helpline
ReachOut
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Eat for Health
Nutrition Australia
Department of Health
Melbourne Victory
ReachOut
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headspace
Mental health resources for Koorie
ReachOut
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc
Koorie students can also contact the Koorie Education Workforce and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated for information and help with issues at vaeai@vaeai.org.au or on (03) 9481 0800
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Consideration of educational disadvantage
In recognition of the disruptions to learning caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) and the differing levels of impact at the school and individual student level, the VCAA will introduce a new consideration of educational process when calculating VCE scores.
Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA)
ReachOut
headspace
Feeling It: Mindfulness resources for VCE and VCAL students
We've partnered with Smiling Mind to bring you mindfulness resources and activities, that can help you stay positive and engaged in your education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Educator fact sheet
A fact sheet is also available for teachers to guide you in using these resources.
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Join Jasmine for tips about how to include self-care practices in your daily life, then try it yourself using the activity in the tip sheet.
You might also like to try some interactive mindfulness related to self-care - you'll just need to register for the free Smiling Mind App.
What are your self-care essentials? - tip sheet
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Hear from Year 11 and 12 students about how they’re feeling at the moment.
Jasmine talks about how we can make our emotions work for us, not against us, using a 5-step vibe check. Then use the tip sheet below to try the vibe check for yourself and become an emotions master!
You might also like to try some interactive mindfulness related to understanding and managing your emotions – you’ll just need to register for the free Smiling Mind App.
How to do a 5-step vibe check - tip sheet
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Jasmine talks to us about mindfulness: what it is, why it’s great, and how it's done. Hear from students about how they found it.
Then, practise your Lion Mind using the STOP technique in the tip sheet below or by trying the interactive under this episode in the free Smiling Mind app (you'll just need to register).
Stop before you start - tip sheet
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Jasmine explains how you can create a physical and mental oasis for yourself that will help you study well and stay well as you head into the end of the school year.
Then, use the tip sheet to practice studying smarter, reframing stress, and getting a good night’s sleep. You may also like to try the for this episode in the free Smiling Mind app (you'll just need to register).
How to study smarter, not harder - tip sheet
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Jasmine talks us about self-compassion and why being kind to ourselves is so important.
Students and Youth Mentor Influencers (Mack Horton, Marlee Silva, Jorden Tually and Kira Puru) tell us about their inner critic and how they try to turn that voice around.
Use the tip sheet to design your own inner mentor you can turn to for kindness and advice, or try the interactive for this episode in the free Smiling Mind app (you'll just need to register).
Smiling Mind: Design your mentor- tip sheetSmiling Mind: Design your mentor- tip sheet -
In the final episode of this series, Year 11 and 12 students share how they’re feeling about changes in their life, and Mack Horton, Marlee Silva, Jorden Tually and Kira Puru talk about some of things they wish they’d known when they were going through the last years of high school.
Jasmine explains how we can use our values to navigate our way through this valley of weirdness.
You can use the tip sheet to try to work out what your own personal values might be, or try the for this episode in the free Smiling Mind app (you'll just need to register).
Where to from here - tip sheet
Smiling Mind: Where to from here - tip sheetSmiling Mind: Where to from here - tip sheet
Raising concerns at school
If you are engaged and feel confident participating at school, it can help you to learn at your best. But when issues occur, it can distract you from your learning and make you feel worried.
When students and teachers work together, issues can often be resolved earlier. It's important that you know that your teachers are here to listen to you, respect your opinions and take action when it is needed.
To help you to decide if you should raise an issue with your school, talk to an adult you trust at school, a family member or another trusted adult. If the issue is making you upset, then it's important you raise it.
Other support
You can also get support from other organisations, including:
Kids Helpline
1800 551 800 or
Headspace
1800 650 890 or
Beyond Blue
1300 224 636 or
Lifeline
13 11 14 or
Butterfly Foundation
1800 334 673 or
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732 or
Coronavirus advice hotline
Reviewed 17 February 2021