Taking Care of Yourself During High School and Year 12 Exams: Advice from Girls Grammar's School Counsellor

Just remember, nothing is worth sacrificing your physical and mental health for. Not even your ATAR!!! Self-care is a far too often overlooked aspect of Year 12 and high school in general, and it’s undoubtedly the most important thing to focus on. Self-care is important for mental health and wellbeing, along with brain function as we are better equipped to manage stress and anxiety when we are mentally well. Self-care, in a nutshell, is taking active steps to promote your health, whether that is mental, physical or social, with each being as important as each other. “You can't pour from an empty bucket.” No one can or is expected to, be productive every minute of every day during school. There comes a point where it’s too much, and you begin to be counter productive. The idea of self-care is that we want to avoid reaching this point, we want to be thriving and taking something positive out of everything, rather than just surviving and going through the motions or struggling and feeling like we’re drowning in the stress and pressure of life. Sleep Every good day starts with a good night's sleep. High School is such a huge time for both physical and mental development, and your body physically cannot keep up if you don’t get the recommended 8 - 9½ hours of sleep each night. Sleep is the most important thing to prioritise during school.

Set a regular bed time, which may mean you are cutting hours of study and pushing them until the next day. But that’s better than attempting to study with limited brain function. Eat and Drink Healthy You’re putting your body and mind through a lot during year 12 –the study doesn’t just take brain power, it can also be physically exhausting. The obvious result of eating well will be that you have more energy, but eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water has innumerable health benefits that you will both see and feel. You’ll be happier, more productive and much healthier, aka thriving. Moderation and timing are key for treats. Spend time doing things that make you happy This is what will make you the happiest (obviously), and it’s so important. Do not feel guilty for setting time aside for yourself to do things for yourself. Let yourself spend time with the people who make you happy, and spend time doing the things that fulfil you. It's fun, it’s rewarding and it’ll give your brain a break from the study, study, study. Claire Jarrett School Counsellor