Last week, we had our Education Empowerment week focused around helping you get ready for a new, successful academic year. In today’s blog post, we’ll be going over some takeaways from each session we held during the week so if you missed a session and want to find out what we learnt or simply want to add to your notes, then keep reading for our takeaways.
Day 1- Doceo x EY Building Confidence & Resilience Webinar:
We’ll cover three main takeaways from this session: being afraid and taking action anyway, combatting imposter syndrome and developing a personal brand.
- Feel the fear and do it anyway. There will most likely be situations in the new academic year where you have to try something new despite the fear. It might be a presentation or joining a new extra-curricular club. In these situations, it’s important to challenge yourself and give it go because regardless of the outcome, the lesson is in the experience. However, trying new things or going outside of our comfort zone can sometimes lead to imposter syndrome and self-doubt yet even this can be worked through.
- How can we combat imposter syndrome?
- Don’t strive for perfection, focus on improving each time.
- Don’t compare your performance with others’ and instead try to focus on what you’re doing well and where you want to improve.
- Lastly, be yourself!
What is a personal brand and how do you develop one?
Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. When you know what your brand is, you will have an impactful narrative that sums up the essence of you. It’s useful to think about how you want to be known in the next school year. Do you want to be known as the person who participates fully in group projects or always contributes during lessons when they can? Then start doing these things and do them consistently. If you want to read more about developing your personal brand for the next school year then have a look here.
Day 2: Let’s Talk About Uni with Aspiring Interns.
What would our panellists say to someone starting university this year?
- Enjoy your time at university – it’s a once in a life time experience, make the most of it!
- University is a time to explore other interests outside academics as well, join societies and socialise. If you have an interest in business for example then carve some time out to explore that interest or if you want to learn a new language then do so and utilise the networks and support your university has on offer to help you achieve your goals.
- Finances- it’s important to budget and stay in control of your money. Be aware of what comes in and what goes out on a monthly basis and prioritise your essential payments such as rent first. Once your essential payments are accounted for then make a budget for your other expenses at university.
Day 3: Back2School Webinar: Parent’s Edition
- 15% of students experience high levels of mental health difficulties during their studies. Young people can be reluctant to divulge mental health problems to their parents. However, if you can create an open atmosphere that makes it easier to have these conversations then this can encourage better communication.
- Routine is important – Try to set breakfast, dinner, family time, family activities and chores at similar times to create stability and familiarity, especially in stressful school seasons.
Day 4: Matters of the Mind Reloaded
Whether you’re going into Year 10 or starting university, it is important to look after your wellbeing during the academic year and be attentive to what you need to do to look after yourself. A useful way to think about this is through the concept of holistic wellbeing. Holistic wellbeing focuses on 8 things: Physical, Emotional, Financial, Social, Occupational, Purpose, Intellectual and Environmental wellbeing.
Activity: Make a list of three to five things which help your wellbeing in each of these areas and put them somewhere visible or accessible. You can work some of these items into your routines and schedule time for them but also have the list somewhere you can refer to if you find that you need to focus on one of these areas of wellbeing. For example, under ‘Social’, you might write that you enjoy having a phone call with a specific close friend of yours.
A fun fact: A 2019 study by the NiH found that colour can improve a person’s memory performance. That same study found that warm colours (red and yellow) “can create a learning environment that is positive and motivating that can help learners not only to have a positive perception toward the content but also to engage and interact more with the learning materials.” There you go, scientific evidence that colour coding your notes does really help!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading what we learnt during the Education Empowerment week and now have some knowledge to help you prepare to smash the next year. Let us know in the comments if you attended any of the events: what would you add to this list?