Carving your path: Anisha talks about pressure and motivation
This video was produced in partnership with Studio Gilay.
Read a transcript of the video.
Seeing someone that you know, or someone that looks like you, do something makes it so much easier.
Doing well in school comes with the usual pressures. But for young mob, sometimes it’s about more than just getting good grades. Here’s what we learnt from Anisha about dealing with different kinds of pressure and expectations.
Clock the pressure, but don’t let it weigh you down. When Anisha got to Year 12, she wasn’t just doing it for herself; she wanted to be the first in her family to graduate and make her mob proud. That’s a lot of pressure, whether it’s coming from family, community or from within. Try shifting your mindset a bit: chances are the people around you want to see you thrive, so let that lift you up and keep you strong. Get tips from others about how they stay strong.
Get strength from close ones. From making her cuppas to staying up late with her while she studied, Anisha’s family gave her support she could lean on and gain strength from to push through the pressure. Support can come from anyone, though – a good friend, a teacher, your footy coach, or other mob.
Extra support is out there. Schools often have people on hand, like a counsellor or an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO), to give you great advice on studying and thinking about career paths. Also, don’t be afraid to yarn it out with Blackfellas who’ve been there and done that. Chances are they’ve got some solid wisdom to share.
Be proud and inspire other mob. When you carve out your own path, it can give you the motivation to be a role model for others – just like Anisha is for her nephews, niece and cousins. Plus, helping out always feels deadly!
What can I do now?
Hear more from Anisha in her yarn with Alex and Mia about navigating life after school.
See how positive role models helped Sonboy build confidence and get on the right path.