Stress management

Hello again :) 

How are you all? I am super stressed! All my assignments are getting closer and my dissertation is just round the corner. I have been so busy with everything other than uni work. When I was in my first year and I met third years who said how much work there is to do, I definitely underestimated the amount of work you have to put in the third year to do well.

Although it is not too late to get on top of things. To deal with the stress I searched what to do as it is normal for university students to get a little stressed. I found the following tips - 

Looking after yourself. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself "me time" in which you can choose what you want to do: Rest; do nothing; try a relaxation technique, massage or yoga; have a long hot bath; spend time with friends; treat yourself to something special. Taking proper breaks and eating well do help to combat stress.

Confronting the problem Try to stand back and look at the problem carefully. Break it down into manageable parts. Talk it through with someone else, brainstorm solutions, or get help if you need it. Try to manage your time effectively and learn to say "NO". Avoidance won't make the problem go away and can often make it worse. Leaving everything to the last minute is a major source of stress for students. Think about why you are finding it hard to get started: uncertainty about how to do the assignment, fear of being judged or failing? Starting a piece of work effectively reduces stress levels as it frees your mind, putting the thoughts of failure back into perspective. If you've had a row or a misunderstanding with someone, it rarely helps to avoid the issue. Talking it through with the other person or with someone outside the situation, often helps you express your feelings, regain a sense of proportion, and identify a way of resolving the differences.

Find some distractions Sport and physical activity helps you to relax physically and also releases endorphins in the body which produce a real feeling of well-being. Walk, cycle, swim, join a gym or a sports team. Joining a club or society, maintaining an existing hobby or learning something new, talking to other people... can all help you to take a mental and physical break.

Express yourself Talk about it, write about it, shout or moan about it: expressing your feelings can help to relieve stress. Acknowledging a problem to yourself and to others can be the first step in dealing with it. Sometimes having a good cry or bashing a pillow can release emotional pressure and calm your feelings of anxiety.

  

Looking at these tips the first this I realised that I have found too many distractions which means I will need to eliminate a few of them. On top of this, I have moaned and complained enough about how much work I have to do so I just need to stop and get on with it. Also I have had more than enough unproductive time to myself so no more 'me time' from now on. In terms of confronting the problem, the only thing I can do is start my work so at least I know I have done something. I hope these tips help you too if you are stressed about work.

On top of the uni work load I have to think about what I will be doing after uni. I have finally found a few jobs that I would like to apply to, so I just need to write up my personal statement and make my CV perfect. I cannot wait to get into the real world and start work.

Speak to you all soon.

Love,

Av x

Amiens in France - CROIS Exchange Project

Bonjour!

How are you all? So I went to Amiens in France for the CROIS exchange project. It was extremely cold and windy in France but it was soooo much fun! As a mentor I had my own team with French and English young people. We saw some beautiful and interesting places like the cathedral, museums, WWI battlefield and many other historic places.

War Museum

The Cathedral

The battlefield ground memorial

The overall experience was brilliant! All the mentors become closer and we all worked well together. I cannot wait for the French students to come to London! I love student trips!

I have been involved working with young people since I was 13 years old with Youth Coaching Academy and was awarded Youth Peer Coach of the Year 2007. Being involved in projects with young people has definitely been one of the best things in my life. I was born in India and moved to London when I was 13 which is when I started to work with Youth Coaching Academy and has become one of the first youth peer coaches in the UK. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! 

It has always been amazing working with young people and watch them come out of their comfort zone and grow. The last time I went to Youth Coaching Academy’s Youth Summit, I met some amazing young people who had blown me away with the events that had taken place in their lives, and during one week of the trip they had learned how to deal with things and had come out of their shell. It is a proud moment when a young team member shines.

I have been to international events with young people before, for example, Anthony Robbins Foundation’s Global Youth Leadership Summit, where hundreds of young people from all over the world get involved. These events are extremely beneficial for young people to meet new people, emotional development and team activities, building them to become leaders.

The French student mentoring trip was a little different because it involved students who did not speak English, but even with that difference I had great communication and connection with my team. It is wonderful to know that language does not limit us from being able to have a relationship with someone.

A little about uni now. Cheerleading has been a lot better! I have been doing a lot more as my foot is healing fast! I cannot wait for the next competition so I can take part in it. With doing the academic work, I need to do a lot more than I am doing at the moment. I have joined the gym as well and I literally have no time for anything else but work (job), work (uni), gym and cheerleading. 3 more months now and it will be over… Need to make the most of the time I have…

Oooh and Valentines Day is coming up! Hope you all have a weekend filled with loads and loads of LOVE!!!!

Love,

Avneet xxx

Excitement and stress

Hello again :) Hope you are well. It has been snowing at the right time of the year. Stuck at home I have been doing loads of work and having loads of tea. I really don’t like the snow because its gets messy afterwards and I slip and fall :( But not this year! I bought my first pair of wellies ever! So no more falling over :D

I haven’t done much in this New Year but that is about to change because I am going to France in two weeks!!! This is for work though university. Working for the university has been one of the best things ever! I have a few jobs in uni and one of them is the student mentor job which is based on working on a CROIS Project. It’s an exchange project, so some students from England will go to France for 3 days and then the French students will come to England for 3 days. I am extremely excited about going and meeting French students and explore their way of life. There are some lovely young people participating from Isle of Sheppey. We are going to north of France so it will be really cold and wet :( But I got my new wellies to sort that out :). The most fun thing about preparing to go to France is learning French. I did a little French in school but did not carry on. The only thing I knew few days ago was Bonjour but now I know so much more! I would tell you what I know but I can only speak French, not write it.

This term I literally have no free time! If I am not doing uni work then I am working. I have been going to the library nearly every day staying till midnight! It has been paying off so far. I got a 2:1 for my first essay and 78% for my presentation which is a FIRST!!! Fingers crossed the rest of year goes well.

On top of work and uni I have to think about the future plans. The first step I will be taking is getting my CV and personal statement done. We have advisers at the uni to help us with this which is really handy. I need to see them as soon as possible so I can start applying for jobs. I still don’t exactly know what field I will be choosing so it will be difficult. As a sociology student there are a number of jobs I can apply for so I will apply for most of the relevant jobs and see how it goes. This year is all about doing well at uni and getting a job. Life is getting more serious… Time is flying by and essay deadlines are getting closer :( Time to knuckle down and get the work done.

Sad news, I broke my foot last year and I was in a cast until Christmas time, so I have not been very active or been able to do cheerleading  It makes me really sad that I will not be participating in the next competition but I am going to attend the competition and cheer for the rest of the team :D Hopefully my foot will get better and I will be jumping and doing stunts soon… I will keep you updated on that :).

Love,
Av :) x

My first blog! :)

Hello everyone!!! This is my first blog! :) Well I am a third year student at University of Greenwich doing Sociology. I love my subject! I am also a cheerleader - Greenwich Mermaid :) It is sooooo much fun! I live in a lovely 5 bed house with other students from University of Greenwich :)

So far this year has been a little scary. There are so many deadlines to meet and the dissertation is 10,000 words!!! Every time I think about it, I get so worried :( Also the thought of leaving university in a few months and entering the real world is daunting me. There is so much to think about in terms of jobs and the future! I am excited but at the same time anxious. I have already been looking for graduate vacancies and jobs but I don't really know what field I want to get into :( I always change my mind about everything! I went from doing Events Management to doing Sociology and Psychology as a combined degree to Sociology. I love my subject and my work is so interesting! But I have no idea what job I want to do. I hope I end up with something good. 

Now the fun side of uni :) Cheerleading has been the highlight this year. I have met some really lovely girls. I started cheerleading in my first year when it was only 10 of us but this year there are about 40 of us. We practice regularly and have our mad socials. I love going out as a Mermaid :p  We are going to our first ever tour as cheerleaders in March. Yaaaaay! I am so excited for it!  

On top of all of this I also work at my university. It is really convenient to be able to work at university and working with colleagues who are students as well. Also any extra money as a student helps with so many things like rent, books, food and most importantly going out :D I think all students should work while they study :) 

There are only about 4 months left of university life… Its time to work hard and try and enjoy it as much as possible! 

Will write again soon :) 

Love,

Av :) x