Common Stressors for Modern Teens and Young Adults

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As an adult, you will go through periods of stress in your life. Yet new studies show that stress is common with the younger generation as well. A survey by the APA finds that over 80% of teens and young adults go through stressful times while at home, college, and into young adulthood. Everyday stressors for teens vary by person, but many are the same as most adults.

School and College Pressure

Like pressure at work, teens and young adults feel enormous pressure when attending school or college. Unlike work, however, younger people may not have the experience to manage some of their anxieties. As a result, more pressure is placed on your kids these days as they try to navigate social and school life. 

The desire to get good grades leads some students to take drugs like Adderall to boost concentration and keep them awake. But this is the wrong road and leads to addiction issues (https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/colorado/boulder/) that carry on into their next life stage and ultimately put their grades at risk.

Cyberbullying

Further to social media envy, bullying is more pervasive than ever because of these platforms. Where your teens and young adults would enjoy the relative safety of home when finishing school, bullying has a way to reach the house and the lives of unfortunate kids who are subject to cyberbullying. 

Social media and contact sharing allow cyberbullies to continue their vile actions through trolling, flaming, and stalking a victim's profile. Some cyberbullying cases have become so severe that they ended with a child taking their own life.

Social Media Envy

In direct opposition to the intended function of social media, platforms like Facebook push people apart and cause misery rather than bring them together. Teens and young adults are experiencing record levels of stress, depression, and anxiety with excess social media use. 

Your kids may navigate the seemingly successful profiles of quasi-celebrities, show-off friends, and straight liars. Subsequently causing teens and young adults to become stressed at not having the life they desire. Like magazines, social media also portrays poor body image, causing young females to feel ashamed of their bodies and contributing to emotional eating disorders like anorexia.

Covid-19 Uncertainty

You may be feeling the terrible uncertainty of the pandemic right now. And with the new Omicron variant making its way through the world, the holiday season and into the new year could effectively be ruined again. But teens and young adults are feeling the pandemic stress more than most. 

The disruption to education has been nothing short of life-changing, and many kids are left feeling apprehensive and uncertain about their future. Schools are closed, college classes are cancelled, students are all but forgotten about in some places. 

The Expectations of Everyone Else

The pressure to do well in school is bad enough for most teens, but some also need to live up to the expectations of others. In some cases, strict parenting contributes to the pressure, where kids are forced to take on more than they can handle. But it might also be the case that a teen or young adult is the first in the family with the prospect of college. 

They, therefore, undergo unnecessary pressure to make the family proud. You should encourage strong educational ethics and hard work. But pushing too much work on a teen or young adult will undoubtedly result in increased depression, anxiety, and stress.

Intimate Relationships

No one is impervious to the ups and downs of relationships. Yet, teens and young adults lack the experience, and in some cases, the emotional maturity to deal with them appropriately. Intimacy is hard for the inexperienced. Some can't open up at all, and some open up too much. 

Therefore, it is helpful to teach your children that intimacy, love, and sexual relationships come and go. And breaking up with their first partner isn't the end of the world. In addition, of course, intimacy extends to the family, and a warm and loving family environment will help teens better cope with school and college life.

Parental and Home Issues

School life is challenging for most teens, yet the problems arise from a poor home environment for many. Divorce, absent parents, and abusive relationships are common worldwide. Yet, it is best to shield your kids from any negative family issues as best you can.

Your kids will be affected if they know you are struggling, arguing with your partner all the time, or abusing drugs and alcohol. Therefore, you should address any issues and seek help wherever you can. You can then work with your kids to reduce stress at home to do better in school.

How And Why To Get Involved In Theatre School

Whether you want to be a successful online student or a high achiever in a physical class, it is possible to do so with theatre education. You can attain the best theatre knowledge and practices both online and in person. It all depends on your end goal and where and who you want to learn from. 

On that note, here is how and why to get involved in theatre school for those who love acting and self-expression.

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How to get involved with theatre school

Should you be someone who loves self-expression and artistic forms of life, then you might be aspiring to be involved in the world of theatre. If so, there are so many ways to get involved. You can attain qualifications or experience online with the likes of Taron Hensley, who is an inspiring educator who can provide great insights into the world of theatre. For anyone looking to pick up the confidence or knowledge as to the benefits of theatre education, look no further than Taron’s work and educational practices.

Furthemore, you can get involved with theatre school in-person through colleges and universities. Finding the right course for you is as simple as doing some research and speaking to the tutors, who will give you an in-depth review of what you will learn from the school and what the experience can lead you to. 

Why you should get involved with theatre school

Moreover, if you are considering whether or not theatre school will be the best idea for you and your future passions, then here are some reasons why you should get involved:

• Meet incredible people: being involved with theatre school will help you meet and get involved with so many incredible and like-minded people. You will find people who have a similar passion to you no matter where you attend theatre school.

• Learn new means of artistic forms: you might have grown up getting creative with drama acting, painting, or singing. Theatre acting and performing is a whole new means of artistic expression, which you can dive into and explore by attending theatre school.

• You can switch off and pretend to be someone else: another great reason behind why you should get involved with theatre school include being able to switch off from your life and pretend to be someone else. For a little while, you can be someone else and pretend to live another life. Some people find this a key reason as to why to become a theatre performer as it helps you whisk yourself away from day-to-day life for a while.

• Help you overcome anxiety: should you be an anxious person in social situations or general life, it might help you overcome these feelings by being involved in theatre school. You will learn ways of expressing yourself and learn how to deal with emotions, which can help you overcome or reduce your anxiety. Likewise, it will help to boost your confidence, which is another way to combat feelings of anxiety. 

Assessing The Value of Your Education

We know there is a financial price on education, but have you ever considered the value of education beyond the cost? Whenever we do something in life, we should get into the habit of assessing what value it brings to our lives. 

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Did it make you happy? Did it progress your life? Did you learn something? 

There is a lot to consider. When it comes to your education, it’s not just the texts that can teach you. The value of the course isn’t always in the books we read, but rather is something that we carry with us in different ways. 

So here are some things that you might consider when you decide if your education, training, or other learning was of real value to you. 

Soft skills

When you go into a commercial kitchen course, you expect to come out with chef-based hard skills. Or, perhaps you took a business management degree and have learned everything you need to know about the admin. But do you have soft skills that can be applied to other areas of life? 

Soft skills can be the difference between your next steps and achieving your future goals. 

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are how you will fit in the workplace or interact with those around you. Here are a few examples:

• Communication - clear and polite

• Critical thinking 

• Leadership

• Teamwork

• Work ethic

Did your course enable you to strengthen soft skills and gain ones directly related to the field of study? 

Career Services

The further along in your course, the closer you are to looking for gainful employment. With all the learning in the world, you still might be light on the experience many companies require. 

Were you offered support from a careers counseling service or access the help you needed to enter the workplace after qualification?

If you are currently considering further education, there are some questions for mba students to ask as they assess the quality of the courses available. 

Were you prepared?

If it’s been a while since you left education, you can look back and ask yourself if you were truly prepared for the workplace. When you landed your first role, or during the interviews, did you feel like you had been armed with the correct information? 

Of course, there will always be a discrepancy between the education on a subject and the practical applications. But with hindsight, you can know for sure if the course you did had prepared you for the process of being higher and doing the work. 

Many people assume that it is better if your education was from a world-renowned establishment. However, the value of your education isn’t just about the name on the door. It comes down to what you came away with that could be applied to the rest of your life. 

The most important question is: do you feel like the years you spent in the study were worth the time, and what did you come away from the experience with beyond the fundamentals of the course?

If you are looking back on your time at college or are just about to leave, this post is for you: 5 Ways To Preserve Your College Memories

Why Studying Overseas Could Be Your Best Decision Ever

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It's no secret that many inspired minds seek further education in foreign lands. They feel it gives them opportunities to learn more about the world, immerse themselves in different cultures, and discover what life is like elsewhere.

Of course, it's a fantastic way to gain qualifications and can inspire them to even seek employment opportunities in the country where they study.

You're probably reading this because you're at a crossroads in your life, and you're wondering whether to continue your education in your home country or go abroad to study in the unknown.

The truth is, studying in a domestic educational facility isn't for everyone. With that in mind, take a look at the following reasons why studying overseas could be your best decision ever:

You'll Learn All Kinds Of New Things

Many overseas educational facilities exist where you can study towards a qualification relevant to your ideal future vocation.

For example, take a look at the American International University Kuwait reviews to see a snapshot of what previous students have studied and done in their lives since making such a decision.

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills.

But, it's also a way of learning all kinds of other things. For instance, you'll become proficient in a new language; you'll discover how people from different cultures lead their lives, and it'll inspire you to think about the things you'd like to do once you've completed your higher education.

You Want A Fresh New Challenge

One of the downsides to pursuing a higher education in your home country is you may not feel very challenged. You may think that the opportunities available might leave you feeling like you're going through the motions.

Studying in a foreign country is perhaps one of the biggest challenges you'll ever face in your life. That's because you aren't just studying towards a qualification, you're also learning a new way of life, and you're learning how to cope in a world without any familiar faces like your family and friends nearby.

You Want To Immerse Yourself In A New Culture

Traveling around the world and immersing yourself in new cultures is undoubtedly an excellent way to experience what life is like for other people. You'll come across different ways of doing things that may perhaps be an alien concept to you.

Plus, you'll discover how people in other countries view and treat topics like politics, religion, and, of course, education. If culture fascinates you and you'd love to see more of the world, studying in another country could be an excellent life choice.

You Want To Boost Your Career Opportunities

Last but not least, there's no denying that studying for a qualification will increase your career prospects. However, doing so in another country will make you a more interesting prospect to employers as it demonstrates you're happy to take on new challenges.

Moreover, the fact you'd studied in a foreign land means you're more likely to get considered for jobs in the country where you studied if you decide you'd like to make that place your permanent residence.

How To Stay Healthy and Successful as an Online Student

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There comes a time in every college student's career when the mid-semester jitters kick in. Struggling with a lack of focus and drive to accomplish any amount of work being thrown at them. Like anything in life, we require a certain amount of balance to function at our optimal performance. It’s not an “if” rather than a “when” as academic burnout affected 71% of students in 2021. Due to the pandemic, most students were forced to attend classes remotely through online lectures and assignments. Now more than ever, online learning student health matters and must be taken into account as we progress with this new way of being a remote student. 

Staying Focused

It’s no mystery that staring at a screen for hours on end can be less interactive than an in-person lecture. In addition, more likely than not, you will be attending your online classes from the comfort of your own home. This creates familiar distractions in the “classroom” as well as family members that may act as an additional hindrance. To avoid said distractions, give timely and adequate notices to everybody that may be in your house on what your upcoming schedule looks like. This will ensure that you have the necessary quiet and alone time during your classes. When your agenda is getting homework assignments done, try blocking off time for yourself. If you have a journal or planner, this can be a great place to write down your schedule. Set aside chunks of time throughout your day to take a deep dive into your assignments. Divide the time between homework and fun things that you enjoy doing. This helps give yourself the additional drive to push through the work because, at the end of your session, you have something fun that you look forward to doing. Setting yourself up for success during these trying times as a college student can be one of your best uses of effort.

Furthermore, transforming your workplace into a comfortable, stress-free environment can help secure maximum focus on your course load. Comfort is critical when you are a student. Operating in comfy conditions can be very favorable as an online student as they deter any negative notions, therefore enhancing your focus on the tasks at hand. Here are some things to try:

• Light a nice scented candle

• Clean your room/workspace 

• Grab one of your favorite snacks or drinks 

• Put on your most comfortable clothes

Staying Balanced

Focusing all of your time and attention on schoolwork can be a fast track to burnout. Creating a sustainable school/life balance for yourself can make certain that you enjoy your college years to the fullest. After getting into the college of your choice, you will find yourself taking on a handful of classes at the same time. This is seemingly overwhelming when you have multiple due dates stacking on top of each other. Having a plan to stay balanced will help you from going into a spiraling panic. 

For starters, try separating classwork into different days.  If you are taking four classes and all of them have assignments due Friday, tackle one class per day. This will isolate all of your focus on that class for the day, in return, giving you the best results. This way of working helps because you no longer have to worry about cramming four classes worth of work into a single day. You can go into your study session concentrated and balanced because your focus is only on one class at a time. 

Another alternative route you can take is switching up your study location. Getting out of the house and setting up shop at your local coffee shop or library can be the breath of fresh air you need. Bring your headphones so outside noise will not obstruct your focus. This can be a great option for you because you still get that “leaving the house and going to class” feel. It offers you the chance to still get out and enjoy the lifestyle environment while keeping up with your studies. As a bonus, grab yourself a tasty treat or drink when you leave as a reward for all your hard work.

Staying Healthy

Taking care of your health has a never-ending list of benefits. While many feel that diets are the most crucial aspect of your health to monitor, as a young and busy college student, it’s crucial to take care of everything from your eye wellness to your physical fitness. Long nights cramming in the library are almost always inevitable no matter what you're majoring in. Staring at a laptop screen or tablet for extended periods of time hinders your vision as it makes your eyes dry and feel tired. This is due to the decline of your blink rate caused by computer vision syndrome. According to the Vision Impact Institute, 3 out of 4 people wear some type of corrective lenses. If you fall into this category as a college student don't neglect your glasses during peak study sessions. If your prescription is out of date or you don’t own a pair, now might be a great time for an update. You can also order a new pair of eyeglasses online from the comfort of your own home. Wearing your glasses when studying guarantees that your eyes will perform just as well as you do. Your time to study is limited as it is with a busy schedule packed full of assignments. You don’t want your eyes holding you back when it's time to get to work.

Equally important is your physical health. Spending long hours studying means one thing. A lack of physical activity. Adding just 20 minutes of exercise every day you study can add a multiplicity of benefits to your online learning student health. Working out before a study session can improve your concentration levels as exercise causes cell growth from the increased blood flow to your brain. Some other exceptional added health benefits are better memory, improved mood, and energy. As an additional bonus, most gyms offer a student discount if your college doesn’t have a gym you can use.

How to Live Your Best Life at College

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Heading off to college is so exciting and feels like a fresh adventure. So, you may be looking forward to having the time of your life. Being a student is a fantastic experience and the start of a new chapter in your life, so making the most of this opportunity is essential. 

If your aim is to live your best life at college and get the most from this experience, then these tips will help you to make that possible:

Get to Know People

Starting college without knowing anyone can be a worry. You may be concerned that you won’t meet anyone for ages and that it will be tricky making friends. You can guarantee that you will make friends at college, and these are likely to be people that you stay close with throughout your life. College friendships are usually built to stand the test of time, and the bond you share will be special. The crucial thing to remember is to be yourself; if you do this, you will naturally gravitate toward people that you can connect with without needing to pretend to be someone you are not.

Meeting new people and starting a conversation can be challenging for some people, but the more you do it, the less scary it is. The chances are that many people will be in a similar situation and will feel the same way you do, so try not to worry.

Strike a Balance

The social side of being at college is amazing, and you will probably go out and have more fun now than at any other time in your life. But, it is crucial to strike a healthy balance between partying and studying. Students seem to get stuck with a bad reputation for partying too hard and too often. If you are constantly recovering from nights out, you are more likely to skip class and not study as hard as you could. No one wants to miss the fun of the student social life, but there is no doubt that too much partying can take its toll on your wellness and grades.

Wild behavior may seem like fun at the time, but less so if you wake up the following day looking for better criminal defense attorneys because you have gotten into trouble. Preventing any potentially career-damaging moments before you have even graduated is always a good idea. So, being mindful of your behavior when you are out having a great time is a wise choice. Finding a balance between having a good time and not letting your social life disrupt your studies is the best way to enjoy both sides of student life.

Get Involved

Getting involved in life on campus is an excellent way to meet like-minded students and the perfect opportunity to make new friends that you would not otherwise have met. If you have a hobby that you love, joining a society at college is an excellent way to follow your interests while away from home. 

Being part of clubs and societies that catch your interest will bring a whole new dimension to student life and will help you to gain more enjoyment from your time spent at college. When you join clubs and societies, you not only gain friends and have fun, you could also be developing attractive skills to add to your resumé. Developing your skills and knowledge by joining a club will give you plenty to talk about when you start applying for jobs and could give you the winning edge during your career. So, it is worth looking out for opportunities when you arrive at college for an activity that catches your interest.

Manage Your Time

Life at college will bring you more freedom than you have ever had in your life. If you have been desperate to spread your wings, having this newfound freedom is likely to be a welcome change. But, being entirely in charge of everything in your life at college can get pretty stressful. Managing your schedule to keep on top of your studies is vital to ensure that things don’t slide out of control. Creating a schedule for your studies may not sound that exciting, but the better you can plan your workload, the more time you will have to enjoy yourself. It’s important to keep up on all of the important deadlines each semester, especially important ones like ordering your cap and gown. Managing your time effectively will help you enjoy the best of both worlds, as you will be able to keep your grades high, keep your stress levels low, and enjoy your downtime to the full.

Episode #140: Season 5 Finale!

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We wrap up this season with a quick episode reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is to come next year.

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Episode #139: Supporting College Student Athletes with Dr. Matthew Raidbard

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Our guest for this week’s episode is Dr. Matthew Raidbard, college sports administrator, consultant, and author of Lead Like a Pro. Matthew shares his story and his point of view on the best leadership practices for coaches to create positive learning experiences for their college student athletes.

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• Athletic Director U

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Advice On Pursuing A Teaching Career

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If you don’t feel that a desk job is for you, you may well have thought about a career in teaching. There are plenty of benefits to a teaching career, it’s an incredibly rewarding and creative profession. When you’re considering this path, the following advice will help you with some of the practical decisions ahead.

1 . Are you suited to a teaching career?

Before you make a decision it’s important to ensure that you are suited to a career in teaching. Teacher’s need to be calm under pressure, and adept at problem-solving. They need to be patient, and have great social skills, particularly with young people. Besides this, teaching requires great leadership skills, you’ll need the ability to improvise when things don’t go to plan. One of the most important attributes that teachers must possess is empathy. Pursuing any kind of career path involves careful consideration of your choice.

2 . Determining your talents & preferences

Next, you’ll need to spend a bit of time thinking about your talents and your teaching preferences. Do your talents lie in a particular subject, whether it’s drama, art maths or science? Perhaps you’re gifted with young children, or maybe teenagers are better suited to your teaching style? Establishing your interest and suitability will help you to pursue the right teaching career for you.

3. Get some experience

If you’re working toward this career, but you’ve never actually taught before, it’s well worth getting some experience. The best way to do this is to volunteer at a local school. Many schools are willing to take on volunteers for a short time period, on the condition that they have a background check. 

Experiencing a classroom environment will help you to practice your teaching methods and build your confidence. You’ll also be able to pinpoint any areas of teaching that you find particularly difficult. Volunteering in a school is a great opportunity to chat with teachers, and get advice.

4. Choosing the right program

There are several routes into teaching, some people choose to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. This route takes four years and allows you to go into teaching roles straight after. If you’ve completed a degree in another subject you can get into teaching using your degree and a teacher-training program. All teachers must also pass a licensure exam and obtain teacher certification.

You’ll need to conduct proper research before choosing a college and a teaching certification program. Take a look at the National Council On Teacher Quality, to find the rankings for different programs. Take your time choosing a teaching program, ensure that you clear up any queries about the course and requirements before you get started.

When you’re considering a certain career path it can be helpful to find resources of inspiration. To get started, take a look at the teaching career of Michael DeNobile. Reading success stories can help you to get the motivation you need.

BONUS Episode #138: The Importance of Dynamic Cybersecurity Education with Ingrid Toppelberg

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Our guest for this week’s bonus episode is Ingrid Toppelberg, Chief Product Officer at Cybint. Ingrid shares her journey, the importance of her work at Cybint, and delivering education in a relevant format for students.

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