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Volunterring in a school.
Invisible_me
Posts: 164 Helping Hand
in Work & Study
Hello,
So I am a first year uni student, doing a 'children's course'.. I recently applied for a voluntary work positon (once full day a week) in a school. I have got a 'meeting' about it next Friday.- It is a group one- ie: with other potential volunteers. I am excited to do the thing, I think it will give me drive and confidence and hope - if it all goes well. But at the same time my anxiety is high!- It's a school I barely know, so don't know the students, teachers etc... I don't even know exactly where it is, I know preety much roughly where it is, what road, where the road is but I never seen the school before if that makes snese.
Any help??
So I am a first year uni student, doing a 'children's course'.. I recently applied for a voluntary work positon (once full day a week) in a school. I have got a 'meeting' about it next Friday.- It is a group one- ie: with other potential volunteers. I am excited to do the thing, I think it will give me drive and confidence and hope - if it all goes well. But at the same time my anxiety is high!- It's a school I barely know, so don't know the students, teachers etc... I don't even know exactly where it is, I know preety much roughly where it is, what road, where the road is but I never seen the school before if that makes snese.
Any help??
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Comments
Wishing you all the best,
-Belle
Thanks for your reply. Oh ...
Invisible_me
Before your meeting, find somewhere comfortable and take some deep breaths. This is what I do before going onstage before a crowd.
I take a long, slow breath in through my nose, first filling my lower lungs, then my upper lungs.
I hold my breath and slowly count 1-2-3.
Then I exhale slowly through pursed lips, while slackening my shoulders to relax them.
Controlling your breathing this way helps bring anxiety right down! :thumb:
Hi..
Your breathing technique seems really helpful - It was given to me before by others as well. I think if done correctly it can help -but not always the case in a panic. Thanks! Well see what happens?
Invisible_me
Just a few 'breathings' will definitely help lower your anxiety. Imagine my walking onto a stage below which have been a mass of audience, some concerts up to 5,000 or more in Spain - so this is precisely why during past concerts this breathing exercise has made so much difference - and also to my band members. The difference though, has been our professional training. Nonetheless, whether a performing artist or a prospective employee/volunteer, so the same levels of anxiety apply. There are plenty of very good breathing techniques on Google including a technique where you either sit, or lie down. If I can find some more techniques later, I will post them here for you as it's very late right now.
Good luck on Friday! :thumb:
Wishing you all the best,
~Belle
As I'll be abroad tomorrow on music business, here is my technique for relaxation.
This is a relaxation technique that I use when stressed. I particularly like the colour green; it helps relax me.
Choose a word or a phase. Example: Lake; Sea; River; Blue sky; Green fields as far as the eye can see; Twilight.
Sit quietly in a relaxing and comfortable position, close your eyes and relax your muscles. Breath slowly, repeating your focus word(s) in your mind as you exhale. If everyday thoughts intrude, let them go and return and continue this for ten to twenty minutes.
During this time ,adopt the breathing technique I shared with you earlier. I hope all this be helpful to you.
Wishing you all the best,
~ Belle
Just dropping in to echo what Belle said - let us know how you get on next Friday. :yes:
Have you considered talking to the person running the meeting, just to let them know you're feeling pretty nervous about it? Chances are they want you to feel as comfortable as possible, and will want to do what they can to settle any worries you have. And I know for me personally, I tend to relax a bit more if I know what to expect. Even if that's just knowing how many will be there, who's going to be at the reception desk, who the interviewers will be. Or like you said, just asking where the place is and feeling confident in where to go.
It's easy for our minds to race when there are a lot of unknowns, and there's no harm in trying to clear some of those up and shed some light on things.
It is great youre still going despite having anxiety. is how you will improve on your anixtey! so well done, Can take so much corauge but pushing ourselves to go a lil outa comfort zone will widen it. Dont have much advice but think what Mike said is good idea.
I hope Friday goes as well as it can
All the best and take care!
I'd be more surprised if you weren't a little worried! I think that being in a new setting can be daunting, but remember that it's a door to a new experience, a new chapter of life. A little anxiety upfront is a small price to pay for a new world to explore - once you've taken the first difficult step, you'll find the next steps much easier!x
Much love
Some anxiety must be the price to pay for new challenging experiences, but you could consider it as a trigger to do your best. I know what anxiety means and how challenging it can be, but I recognize that sometimes anxiety makes me do my best, so maybe you could start considering anxiety as a " temporary friend" instead of an an enemy.
The relaxation technique that Mirabelle suggested must be awesome, so this could really be helpful for you!
Good luck for your interview and, if you want, let us know how it goes :rainbow:
- Fran
Hi there Belle
Thank you for your lovely tips! - It seems useful. I'll give it a practice trail before the meeting this Friday. Bless you, for sending that late on Thursday because you thought it was the day after. Bless. Sorry!
Hi Mike.
Your very right in what you have said- Yes, If I have a lot of unknowns it makes me anxious. I would like to clear those things up eg: how many people there, where (I'm guessing it's sign in at reception, and I've google mapped the things so I know where things are, ad recognise it when I get there (eg: got a picture painted). I'm however scared to ask in case it's like " if your that anxious, then why did you apply, or how will you cope" - does that make sense? And also because if you are volunteer then they don't have to accomadate you?
I think though, it's about 5-6 people from what she mentioned in her email. I know the name of the person, and I think I've put a 'rough face' to the name as well (by google wooops..._
Thank you
Invisible_me
Thank you!- I hope it goes well as well. I think it will be a good anxiety tester in something I want to do.
Thanks
Inviisble_me
So true Azziman. It is a new opportunity-both scary but exciting! And anxiety is somewhat normal, just got to hope it doesn't pass the boundry. So true as well, first step is hard but gets easier.
Thanks,
Invisible_me
HI Fran,
Thanks for message.
Hopefully, if I get it? It will be a new opportunity and very useful. Yes challenging as well. I think anxiety at small can give you that drive, but anymore it can start to hinder. It's all hope that it doesn't pass the boundary. I guess anxiety can't always be an enemy.
Thanks
Invisible_me
It's not a prob, @Invisible_me just wish I'd posted earlier, thats all. There is a more comprehensive breathing technique that I use and taught my sister, so I might be able to post it here tomorrow on your thread - then you can copy it. I'll be remembering you.
I've done volunteer work in schools too, though I wouldn't be sure it's anything similar to what you're doing. But schools are generally pretty nice about volunteers! So long as you have a DBS check anyway lol (and i kind of assume you do if you're working with children?).
In general, they're VERY protective of their students even if you do have a dbs (and thus can legally be alone with kids in schools) and I doubt they'll let you go anywhere alone until you get to know the staff, that means you'll likely get a guide once you find reception anyway- especially if they know you haven't been to the school before cus we all get lost.
Remember that the school is also looking for volunteers - they WANT to keep you. Just as people want jobs, employers have to make their jobs want-able, like i said schools are usually pretty nice about volunteers and they'll likely want to do anything they can to reduce your anxiety. I've been asked in schools before about not only the behaviour of students, but things like how nice the reception staff and teachers were, and if theres anything they can do to improve their service...they want to be as welcoming and make it as easy for you to work there as they can if they're a decent school.
Thank you!
Hey there,
THank you
Yes, I do have a DBS, they have a policy and outline a few things on there...
I guess so, yeah, they would want volunteers especially if they have a special section for volunteers and actively seek out for them.
Thanks
Unknown2
You've all been really good at praising me for what I have done and tips on dealing with anxiety. But within this I think I need to focus on getting through Friday...
Any ideas on what they might say, possible answers, and how to portray myself as confident.
Thanks everyone!
Unknown2
How did your interview go? It's been a few weeks since you last posted in here so I hope it went well! Hopefully all the questions were okay and not too difficult
All the best,
- Aife
Sorry for not posting- things have been preety hectic.,
Thanks for asking?- That's really kind. The interview wasn't even an interview- it was very informal. I got the place, got through my DBS and that, now I think it's just about them sorting out a place for me. I did email her last week but I imagine she'll get back to me in the hols as that is when she got back to me on my application.- fingers ccrossed! Waiting for a respose is nerve-racking. Hope it all goes well x
Aw that's amazing you got the place! Congratulations! That's great that the interview was informal, this can make things feel so much more relaxed!
I hope she replies back to you soon so you can find out about your place! It can be nerve-racking waiting to hear back. What are you feeling most nervous about?
All the best,
- Aife
The deep breathing technique: You can either do this standing up or lying down, just ensure you have a straight back. Firstly, breath in through your nose slowly, filling up your body from the bottom of your stomach upwards. Before letting the air out, hold it for a second or two, then exhale. Repeating this method was a big success for me, it helped me cope with stressful situations like exams, coursework, and allowed me more space to think.
Pros:
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]*[/FONT] This method can be done anywhere, whether it be before an exam, during work, at an interview for a job, any stressful moment you can think of.
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]*[/FONT] Not only does it cope with stress, it can also help calm down from panic attacks, anxiety, depression, anger. This will most likely be the same for all relaxation methods, however.
Cons:
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]* [/FONT]Overdoing this method could lead to dizzyness. If you find this, take it more slowly, you are going to fast. If you're still feeling dizzy after taking it as slow as you can, I would advise not carrying on with this method.
The second relaxation technique is takes advantage of your imagination. If you have the time, you can imagine yourself in your favourite, most relaxing place you can think of. This could be anywhere, as long as it is relaxing.
I like to think I am in a cottage on top of a hill, around me are the most beautiful surroundings I have ever seen. Outside I can here the sound of chirping birds, the wind blowing against the trees, the sound of crickets in the tall grass. The day is very bright but extremely cold, the sun is beaming down onto the hill illuminating my wooden cottage perched atop the hill. I am inside, staring outside the window watching the world go by. In the distance I can see the sea. I am breathing deeply, savouring the fresh country air, such a wonderful smell it is. You can imagine your own place, eg. if you find snow relaxing, use snow as your main theme.
Pros:
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]*[/FONT] This method is an exceptional way of putting yourself into a relaxed state.
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]*[/FONT] You can attempt to stay in this scene throughout the day, imagining your surroundings are your scene. This may be, however, quite distracting.
Cons:
[FONT=times\ new\ roman]*[/FONT] Doing this during a meeting or at work may be troublesome and waste time. It is probably best to do it during breaks or before the meeting itself.
In closing I'll leave you with some lovely contemplative music by Max Richter - On the Nature of Daylight
Wishing you all the best,
~Belle
Thank you!
I think its just general. Like I want to know. Also, I would like to start sooner (ie: after easter) because I'm hoping that then it will make me feel more positive about myself, and make things better for me at uni- might also come in useful for my assignment... anyway...
Hey Belle,
Thank you for that...It seems very useful. I'll certainly try and print it off or something- for when I need it!
As said in prev. pots, I have got the place just awaiting a place etc..
Thanks
Invisible_me
Just to let you know, that I have heard back etc... and I will be starting my Voluntary work in the school on this coming Tuesday. Excited, but nervous- with reception- nice unique opportunity.
Thanks all.
In_me
Congratulations, and after such a long time waiting. I am so happy for you! :wave:
Hi Invisible_me,
Congratulations - I'm sure you'll do really well! Let us know how it goes!x
Much love
Well done!! Hope all goes okay. Let us know how get on if you’d like?All the best!