Navigating Transitions and Taking Care of Your Wellbeing

Redemption

Moving from secondary school to college, 6th form, or even university can be a struggle for many. For me, that transition had good guidance to college from school they looked at realistic options for me and I know not everyone gets that. I also went to the open day which helped me find a suitable course. But when it comes to work it feels different. It’s hard to get that same level of guidance and it can feel like you’re just thrown on your own.


I’m not saying it’s hard for everyone or that you will struggle but it’s important to know that it’s okay not to have everything planned out and you aren’t alone with it. It’s also okay to find this time daunting. We all have our own circumstances, our own brains, our own experiences, our own pasts, our own thought processes, and our own struggles. It all can be hard whether you’re finishing college, 6th form, university, changing jobs, getting into your first job, or even returning to work.


Returning to a new academic year can also be tough. September in particular can feel like a hard time the summer starts to fade, the days get darker, and based on my own experiences that can impact our mood and wellbeing. This time of year, summer heading towards a new academic year, results days, exams, applications, deadlines etc, can feel daunting and overwhelming. It can be all a lot at once and it’s okay to feel that way.


All feelings are valid there’s no wrong way to feel. It’s okay to step back and focus on your feelings. Our mental health and wellbeing are important, and it’s always okay to reach out and seek guidance. Even though the support may not feel the same as it did in school or college, there is still support out there from careers advisors, job centres, and organisations that help people through these transitions. You never have to struggle alone. Feel free to talk about your experiences or struggles below.


Here’s some links to mental health support if anyone needs them

https://kellysheroes.org.uk/
These are normally pretty good they open at 6 pm till 10pm Monday to Friday and I think on weekends 6pm till 11pm


https://www.myblackdog.co/
These are pretty good but only open Sunday to Wednesday 7pm till 10pm


https://knus.io/
These are good, I have a supporter who's amazing, I think you tell a supervisor you issues and they arranged you a chat with someone


Shout is a text messaging service, open 24 hours but at night it takes a very long time to get through, text 85258

Leyla

Couldnt agree more Pal!! This is all so beautifully put, and I think a lot of people will resonate with this for sure. September is such a transitional month for so many reasons, seasons, education, jobs, and no-one's journey is exactly the same but that doesn't mean that you are alone.

Thank you so much for writing this and putting the effort in, and also for the links to support because it's so helpful to have them right in front of you when you are struggling.

If you see this and you have got into work from education, or are trying to, what would you say your top tip is?

Redemption

Leyla wrote: »

Couldnt agree more Pal!! This is all so beautifully put, and I think a lot of people will resonate with this for sure. September is such a transitional month for so many reasons, seasons, education, jobs, and no-one's journey is exactly the same but that doesn't mean that you are alone.

Thank you so much for writing this and putting the effort in, and also for the links to support because it's so helpful to have them right in front of you when you are struggling.

If you see this and you have got into work from education, or are trying to, what would you say your top tip is?

Thanks so much Leyla. Im happy my thread is good. Id say, its ok to take time to adapt, find it different from college, 6th form, university, school etc, it's ok be overwhelmed and all emotions and feelings are valid.

Sian321

Hi @Redemption , how are you feeling this morning? Thank you so, so much for taking the time to write and share this!

You’ve really captured here just how overwhelming these transitions can feel, especially when the guidance and support don’t look the same as they did in school. I hear how you’re holding both your own experience of having some support and the awareness that not everyone gets that, and that mix makes the work side feel so different, even isolating.

The way you describe September (with the fading summer, the darker days, the pressure of results and deadlines) really demonstrates the weight this time of year can carry. It’s so validating to hear you say that all feelings are valid and that it’s okay to feel daunted.

When you think about those times you’ve felt most supported in transitions, what made the biggest difference for you?

Redemption

Sian321 wrote: »

Hi @Redemption , how are you feeling this morning? Thank you so, so much for taking the time to write and share this!

You’ve really captured here just how overwhelming these transitions can feel, especially when the guidance and support don’t look the same as they did in school. I hear how you’re holding both your own experience of having some support and the awareness that not everyone gets that, and that mix makes the work side feel so different, even isolating.

The way you describe September (with the fading summer, the darker days, the pressure of results and deadlines) really demonstrates the weight this time of year can carry. It’s so validating to hear you say that all feelings are valid and that it’s okay to feel daunted.

When you think about those times you’ve felt most supported in transitions, what made the biggest difference for you?

Thank you @Sian321 it was important to me to reach out and stay positive during these times not give up even during tough times its important to remember things will get better.