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Your Next Big Step...
Many of us are now finishing primary school, secondary school or college and preparing for that scary step up.
Whether it’s year seven or university, you still need to make sure you’ve got the balance right between studies, making friends and having fun. To put your mind at ease, whtvr.org's Kemi gives you her top tips on surviving the next big step…
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Be confident
Confidence is key when you start a new school. I don’t mean you need to jump around on the tables to get attention. Just be cool and when someone approaches you seem like you’re willing to make new friends. On the other hand, avoid being too forward, giving someone your life story or asking for their number straight away doesn’t always work!
Look good
Appearance isn’t everything but let’s not kid ourselves, it does matter. Try to look your best but don’t try too hard. Even if you have to wear school uniform, make sure your collar ain’t black and your shoes are polished!
MONEY MATTERS
Get a job!
If you’re moving up to college, a Saturday
job wouldn’t hurt. Remember, free school meals end at secondary school and Education
Maintenance Allowance can only get you so far, especially if you have to cover
travel costs. Connexions can help you look for a job.
Only take a loan if you need to!
For those of us about to start university, having no money will limit your experience.
Staying in while all your friends are out to eat on Saturday evening isn’t the best way to improve your social life so my advice would be, again, get a job! Remember, the loan is available if you need it, not just because you could do with another pair of Air Maxs! If you do decide to take a loan, read all the small print first. Know when you’re going to start paying it back and how much the interest rate is (that’s the extra you have to pay back on top of what you’ve borrowed!).
GET THE MOST OUT OF STUDYING
AS WELL AS SOCIALISING
Start as you mean to go on. Remember to start the year how you aim to finish it. Hard work will lead to good grades, and starting late just leads to stress and failing to reach your true potential. Also, when you revise early, during exam time you will still have time for a social life when everyone else is pulling all-nighters!
Keep active and healthy
Joining clubs and extra curricular
activities keeps you occupied and helps you meet new people. Try signing up to
the gym or sports team – remember, a healthy body…I don’t need to say the rest
do I?
For more information, go to our Money section.
