Life choices

Dealing with exam results

Often exam results are an important factor in getting you through to the next step and waiting for your results may be stressful. Managing your stress is important so you can relax and enjoy your time off.

Everyone manages stress differently, check out the Stress fact sheet for some ideas about managing stress.

If you are finding it hard to get your mind off your results you may find it helpful to talk to someone you trust. This may be a friend, family member or youth worker.

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (free call from landline and won't show up on your home phone bill) and Lifeline 13 11 14 (local call cost from landline) also have counsellors who are available 24 hours/7 days a week.

Finding your own space

Moving on from school often means there are changes to your life. You may be starting a job, or going on to do more study. These changes may bring more responsibility and independence and creating your own space can be important.

It is a good idea to talk with those whom you live with about how you can create your own space. By talking with your family or other housemates it may help to develop a respect for both your needs and theirs.

It may be difficult for your family to understand why you need extra space and this can cause conflict. For more information about managing arguments check out the fact sheet on Resolving an argument or disagreement.

Moving out of home can be exciting and it may also be hard. If you are moving out from home check out the Leaving home fact sheet.

Leaving your friends + keeping in touch

Leaving school can be a time when your group of friends changes. It may be that:

• Friends are moving away from home.
• You are moving away.
• Everyone is going off in different directions which means you are not seeing as much of each other.

For whatever reason, this may be hard and can sometimes be lonely. Some ideas for keeping in touch, include: 

• Using the phone, email or IM.
• Making a regular time when you can all get together for a catch up.

As you start doing new things, you are likely to start making new friends. It may be helpful to remember your old friends are likely to stay close to you even if you don't see them or speak with them as regularly.