ROdown Blog posts

Why hello there...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:04:1328587440 GMT

Whether you’re shy or outgoing, meeting new people can sometimes be scary. The hardest part, I think, is just getting out there and forcing yourself to meet new people. Maybe you’re starting school with a new group of kids, maybe you’re going to camp, or maybe you’re just looking for some new friends? Whatever it is, it can definitely be a stressful time and that’s understandable. Meeting new people is something everyone goes through, so it’s always good to find out tips that might make it a bit easier.

Listen and ask questions. It shows that you care about what the person is saying and also that you are interested in them. Make eye contact while they are speaking and follow up with a couple of questions. If all goes well, the conversation will flow nicely. If not, it is okay to try again!
Give a compliment. Have you ever received a compliment? Doesn’t it feel great?! Giving a compliment to someone naturally gives them an ego boost and they appreciate what you have to say. Try going up to someone and complimenting them on their shoes or their haircut. This could also provide as a conversation starter. Try following this up with some questions.
Detach yourself from technology. If you are constantly on your phone/computer and distracted by emails and text messages, you may not notice if someone is interested in you. It also makes people think that you are unavailable and not interested in chatting. Make a mental note of the people around you and spend a little time getting to know them rather than hiding behind your phone or computer.
Join a team or club. Having something in common with others immediately gives you something to talk about. No matter what it is, it can be fun to pursue things with other people and also gives you a great sense of community and belonging. Investigate some clubs at your school or local youth centre. You are bound to find people who are interested in the same things as you are, no matter what it may be.
Volunteer. Having a strong desire to help others is often attractive to other people. You can volunteer in your school, community, or church. Chances are there will be loads of people your age also volunteering their time.
Laugh and smile. Always looking gloomy or cranky makes you seem unapproachable. It can really help to laugh with people at a joke or even just smile at someone to let them know you are interested in what they think. Plus, laughing is the best medicine you can offer to your body. It makes you less tense and will help loosen you up in most situations.

Remember, the hardest part is starting up the conversation, but once you get over that road bump you will find yourself getting better and better at meeting new people. The only thing you have to lose is the possibility that someone might not be interested in making a new friend, but that just means they weren’t the right person for you anyway! Someone who isn’t open to meeting new people may not be who you want to hang around. It is best to find friends who will accept you for who you are, whoever you are.

For more info on meeting new people, why not check out some ReachOut fact sheets and stories...

Meeting new people (Fact sheet)
Starting at a new school (Fact sheet)
Social Butterfly (Story)

Article written by our talented intern, Jenna

All over, Red Rover

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:45:1328226300 GMT

The holidays are over and so are the sleep in’s (no more hitting the snooze button!), it’s back to school/uni/tafe time!

If you haven’t started back already, chances are, whether you’re in school, uni or tafe, you’ll be back in the swing of things by the end of this month. Maybe you’re ready to go, or maybe you’re still trying to build up the energy to go out and buy all your text books, get used to your new timetable and find out where your classes will be.

Going back to school or uni after the holidays can be a time of mixed emotions, especially if you're starting somewhere new. One of the hardest decisions at this time of the year is working out what electives or courses you’re going to do for the year. What to study can sometimes be a big concern, and once you’ve picked your classes it’s easy to start worrying whether you’ve made the right decision. But, never fear, Getting Real is here to help you with your study worries.

Join us on Monday night (the 6th of February) at 8pm AEDT on the Reach Out forums to discuss all things study related; from what course you’ve picked, to how you’re feeling about sitting through another year of Maths/English/Science or History.

Article by Megan, Community Builder extraordinaire

I'll need a volunteer...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:1328157420 GMT

When people talk about the mental health benefits of volunteering, they are often referring to the elderly or the newly-retired. After a lifetime of working, older people can become depressed when they retire because they are used to feeling productive and useful, which is an important source of self-esteem and identity. It also allows them to get out of the house, meet new people, learn new things, and feel respected by sharing the skills they already have. However, many of the reasons volunteering can help with reducing depression among retirees are just as true for people still in school or just starting their careers.

We also often suffer from poor self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness and not feeling like we know where we fit. Sometimes it can seem like being young is all about jumping through pointless hoops to please peers, parents and teachers, and our whole life is going to suck if we don’t do well on the next test. And sometimes, it can feel like whatever you do, nothing is going to change, because you’re just one person and you don’t even know what you’re doing. Well, volunteer organisations are a way of taking a willingness to help out, a desire to be involved or helpful or see something about the world get a little bit bitter, and turn it into a group of people, working together to make positive changes.

I always did fairly well at school, and then kinda got a bit lost once I went to uni. It didn’t feel like anything I did was leading anywhere, or had real world value, and I ended up failing units because I couldn’t see the point. I’d always been passionate about the environment, and angry that irresponsible people and companies damage the world the rest of us have to live in, so I switched degrees to conservation biology. But I wasn’t going to finish for years, and the crap jobs I had to work because they fit around uni hours got me down. Then an environmental consultant gave a lecture in one of my classes about how to get hired once you graduate, and recommended volunteer experience in a relevant organisation, and I decided to give it a go.

I started at Kanyana Wildlife, which is an entirely volunteer-run wildlife hospital, in September, which is just about when baby birds are falling out of trees, so it was really busy. To start with, I was supervised for everything, because they just want to make sure it was done properly. I’m now trusted to do feedings alone, including tube feeding, which is an invasive procedure, and potentially dangerous to both me and the bird. I’m trusted to do this because I’ve been trained and supervised every step of the way, and I’ve gotten better at handling often very stressed birds. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to work at an organisation that values its volunteers and provides appropriate supervision and training.

But it’s not just about improving my cv and skills. I can’t really explain why, but it just feels like such a relief to be doing something useful. Many of the animals we treat aren’t endangered, but some are. The organisation also participates in breeding programs, supplying endangered bilbies to be released by DEC into the wild, and maintaining insurance populations for endangered animals at risk of catastrophic epidemics in the wild. Infectious diseases that endanger native wildlife have been studied and even discovered at Kanyana. I could sign up to be one of their lab people, and maybe discover a new disease myself! And, perhaps best of all, I get to watch the hungry baby birds that loudly welcome anyone who sets foot in the hospital grow up, get stronger, learn to fly, and get released.

So, that’s me sorted! Think about what you would like to be a part of. What would you like to see achieved? Is there anyone else already trying? Are there any volunteer organisations you already know about that you’re impressed by, or interested in learning more about? I bet they could use a hand. Don’t worry about not having the proper skills - you can learn. Find someone who can do something you want to be able to do, and ask if they can show you how. Find out what the right volunteering opportunity is for you, and get started!

For more on volunteering check out these links:

Or, for ideas about how you can get involved with ReachOut.com’s work, check out the Get Involved section on this site.

Article by Jane, ReachOut.com Intern

Rolling in the deep, blue HSC

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:46:1327970760 GMT

We have finally kicked out the class of 2011 and have taken our rightful place at the top of the school! But what does this new social status come with? A whole lot of assessments, countless late nights, some minor (or major!) breakdowns and endless tubs of Ben and Jerry ice cream when you have just had enough!

Welcome aboard the HSC! Please raise your hands while the safety bar is put in place and enjoy the ride! The epic, what may seem like never ending, rollercoaster of the final year of school is a debatable topic every year. When the university offers were recently announced, I sat with friends ecstatic that they got into such a hard course, friends disappointed that they didn’t get into their first preference and a whole lot in between. But what I still cannot grasp is how one little number causes all this fuss!

The ATAR is a number that is over exaggerated and (by some) is perceived to be a direct representation of the person themselves. To me school is not just about marks and numbers but it is a chance to develop your skills, test your boundaries in all areas (from drama, sport, debating and public speaking) and further consolidate your identity. I just got into my seat on the rollercoaster and I am as excited as if I was in Disneyland! But I know that many of my peers are having trouble coping with what the year ahead will bring.

From chatting with the survivors of previous rollercoaster rides I have developed my own attitude which I hope to maintain throughout the year. My attitude going into this year is one of determination, excitement and fun and I would like to share with you my plans for handling the pressures of the HSC:

Hard work. And a lot of it! But not too much that that you burn out, just enough to keep motivated, on task and achieving your best!
Creating achievable goals to keep your head in the game! Some examples, I already have my eye on some uni courses whose entrance marks range dramatically (keeping your options open!)
Create a ‘safety bar’! Fill it with friends, teachers, family and anyone else you want to take on the ride!
Exercise. For me exercise is the most useful stress release method. Either running, swimming, rowing or going to the gym helps me eliminate all the unwanted anxiety, stress and tension that builds over the week.
Keep the social life! Don’t chain yourself to your desk but keep in touch with your friends (and not just over face book). Grab a coffee; see a movie or sneak out to a Max Brenner as me and my best friend do to enjoy some chocolate goodness!
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Last term I began pestering my teachers for help and it is so worth it! When they know you are committed to working hard they bend over backwards to support you in millions and trillions of ways.

Will keep you updated with my HSC experiences, what works well and what doesn’t! But let me know what you are doing to survive this rollercoaster. And remember rollercoaster’s always have an end…just a few loopy loops along the way!!

Article written by our stellar work experiencer, Sarah

Turn that frown upside down!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:49:1327621740 GMT

We all get those times where we just lose our joy, our happy and it really brings us down. Whether it’s because of everyday annoyances, worrying too much, unwanted stresses or just relationship break downs it can be hard to keep our spirits high all the time. We all forget, though, that we're designed to have fun and laugh and that is why we feel amazing when we do something fun or laugh at a funny show. It is really important in life that we try to keep our happy by laughing and having fun.

The best thing about laughter is that it is healthy for us and has awesome health and wellbeing benefits, so the challenge of finding joy in your everyday life is well worth it. Being happy lowers blood pressure, protects the heart, gives us a good abdominal workout and relieves stress. Some of the ways we can laugh, let loose and bring in some fun is to watch a funny movie, read a funny book or tell some funny jokes.

We want to know what makes you laugh and keeps you happy in this week’s Getting Real session. We all have heard that “Laughter is the best medicine” well we want to know if that is true for you and your life. So come along and join us here 8pm AEST this Monday 30 January to get real about fun and laughter.

In the mean time check out this video that, if you haven't seen it already, will get you laughing all week:

So now let’s get the party started by learning about what you do each day to foster the happy? Leave your tips on the comments section below…

Article by Rue

Why the long face?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:13:1327363980 GMT

Whether it’s getting a bad grade on a test, losing trust in your friend, not getting the position you wanted, or your relationship failing; many of us face some kind of disappointment in our lives.

Disappointment can leave us feeling very unhappy and powerless, so it’s important that we learn how to manage this. After facing disappointment so many times, you may just feel like giving up. Instead of dwelling on the frustration and unhappiness that go along with disappointment, there are actually some easy ways to manage this.

Here are some tips:

Find a positive activity that you love doing! What do you love to do most? What makes you feel better? These activities can help you get your mind off of disappointment and into a more positive mindset.
Let go of your mental illusion. If you are disappointed about something, it often means that you had a perception that wasn’t met. Instead of hoping for something unrealistic, try to appreciate what you did achieve, even if it wasn’t exactly what you wanted.
Take into consideration the growth you have received from the experience. Say for example you aren’t getting the grades you had hoped for, realise that you had at least made the effort and maybe even learned something! Grades are important, but they also don’t define you. Take a step back and find areas in which you have grown from the disappointment.
Do your best. Once you start living past your disappointments you can then focus on living to the fullest of your abilities. You may not have achieved the result that you had hoped for, but it was your best and that’s all that counts!

Today, we live in a world which is full of expectations and pressures. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in all of this and become easily disappointed, sad, or depressed. What I challenge you to do is to use these tips whenever you are feeling disappointed. Show the world that you are only human and that it’s okay to make mistakes.

We will most likely all face some form of disappointment at some time or another, so keep your head up and keep going on. It’s the bravest thing and biggest sense of achievement that you could have.

For more info on managing expectations and dealing with life changes, check out some ReachOut fact sheets and stories...

Article by our legendary intern, Jenna

An interview with...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:07:1327280820 GMT

Meet the people who make the ReachOut.com forums what they are! Each month we set out to interview one of our fantastic forum users. This months interview is with delicate dreamer...

1. What does your username mean to you?
The words delicate and dreamer reflect who I am, and where I was at when I joined the forum. I chose dreamer because I am definitely a bit of a dreamer, and I'm often described as one by family and friends. I chose delicate because I wanted another adjective starting with D, and I felt it described me quite well too.

2. What's your favourite way to congratulate yourself?
Buying myself some nice chocolate. I'm a chocaholic!

3. How did you first come across ReachOut.com?
It was when I was about 17. I was doing a bit of googling about anxiety and stress and luckily, the ReachOut.com factsheet on anxiety was one of the first links that came up.

4. What's your favourite song to listen to this summer?

(C) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd.
Pete Murray - Free.

5. What's your favourite sub-forum? Favourite thread?
My favourite sub forum is Getting Real because of the many awesome discussions I have been a part of in there on Monday nights.

My favourite thread... That is hard! I'll go with What are you proud of? because it has really helped me change my negative thinking.

6. What are you grateful for at the moment?
The amazing weather we are having where I live.

7. If you had magical powers, what would you do to change the world for the better?
Find a way to make support easily accessible to people who need it.

8. What are you looking forward to in 2012?
Finishing the second year of my degree, and the Olympic games :)

Wanna find out more about the forums? Why not have a little look around here...

First encounters

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:15:1326939300 GMT

With university places just being released and a new school year starting, a lot of us will be going through a major transition period in our lives. One thing that often goes hand in hand with these kind of life changes is the process of meeting new people. A lot of new people. This can be very daunting for anyone and sometimes quite overwhelming.

Often a lot of doubts will run through your mind – What if people don’t like me? How will I remember everyone’s names? How do I strike up a conversation? These questions are normal but just remember meeting new people can also be a whole lot of fun and who knows the person sitting next to you on that first day of class may end up turning into your best friend.

This Monday’s Getting Real in the Reach Out forums will hopefully help to ease you into this new year. On the night we’ll be discussing the process of meeting new people and making new friends. We’ll also be sharing some useful tips on where you can meet new people, how to go about approaching them and how to maintain these new relationships. So come along and join us here 8pm AEST this Monday 23 January to get real about meeting new people in new places.

In the meantime, here are some useful factsheets and stories that might be worth a read...

Article by Community Builders, Dil and Dan

He shoots, he scores!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:49:1326761340 GMT

With the approaching new school year, it only seems appropriate to set some new goals and achievements for the year. The start of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh and start right! In fact, goal setting creates purpose, challenge, and meaning into what may have been a previously tedious and tiring task. Research by a guy called Gary Latham showed that by maintaining a set of goals, you can become more interested and enthusiastic about stuff you have to do, feel pride in what you are doing, and feel better about yourself. Keep in mind, it’s more effective to set goals that are achievable, not goals which are impossible and will cause you even more stress. Once you are able to check goals off the list, this can create a sense of accomplishment within yourself and even boost your self-esteem!

How can you set goals? Get out a pen and some paper (or laptop!) and follow this list:

Identify some goals that are well thought out
It is important to set goals that are healthy and will boost your well-being
Develop a set of strategies to help you achieve your goal
Set a time frame for your goals to be reached by
Keep checking your goal progress and work towards finishing it
Identify problem areas that may slow the progress of your goal achievement and brainstorm ways to solve these issues

These six steps can lead to a SMART (specific, measurable, agreed to, realistic, timely) goal!

Some goals you might want to think about could generally include eating healthier, getting at least a half hour of exercise a day, finishing all homework by the due date, and even something as simple as trying to compliment at least one person a day. If these goals are achieved, you can even reward yourself by going out for ice cream or doing something fun with friends! Just by setting a few healthy and achievable goals, you can immediately boost your level of self-esteem and sense of personal accomplishment. Why not start off the year right? Kick start the school year with a few achievable goals and become the person you’ve always strived to be.

What are your goals for 2012?

For some more goal setting tips and tricks why not check out some ReachOut.com fact sheets and stories...

Setting goals (Fact sheet)
Putting your goals into action (Fact sheet)
If you can dream it, do it (Story)

Article by Jenna, ReachOut.com intern

Working hard for the money

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:46:1326426360 GMT

Ever heard Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to5’ song and felt the line, “waiting for the day your ship will come in” said it all when thinking about job seeking? Whether it’s casual, part-time or full-time employment, some of us work to live, others live to work, and most are somewhere in between. Some of us start work when we’re still at school, while others wait until they’ve finished school/TAFE/uni.

Job searching, filling in applications and doing interviews can be super stressful, and that’s before you even find the job! But the independence and achievement of searching for, and then finding a job can really boost our self-esteem. Next Monday, 16 January, we'll be running a Getting Real session in the forums about all issues surrounding paid employment; from stress before getting a job, to the exhaustion of having one and all the stages in between.

Whether you’re currently employed, a student whose thinking about their future career, looking for work or if you’d just like to join the conversation, we’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

So join us here this coming Monday 16th January at 8pm AEST to discuss paid employment.

In the meantime you might like to check out some ReachOut.com factsheets and stories on jobs, jobs, jobs:

Article by Megy206