WORRY LESS: LEAVING FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL
During the build-up to Mental Health Awareness Week beginning the 14th May, we will be running our ‘Worry Less’ campaign. We will be publishing blog posts aimed at allaying your fears and worries about coming to College.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss any of these issues, or any concerns you may have – details below.
One of our applicants’ biggest concerns about coming to us is leaving their school friends. Alternatively, some students may look forward to the chance to make new friends but will be feeling nervous about doing so.
Here are some things to think about which will hopefully make you feel a little more at ease:
EVERYONE IS IN THE SAME BOAT
Every year we take students from over 40 schools across Cardiff and beyond. Some may be the only person from their high school, some may come with 100 others. Either way, you will all be mixed up together in your tutor groups and lessons and chances are that lots of people around you won’t know anyone else either.
They may not look it, but everyone will be anxious about starting at a new place and meeting new people. Someone may be grateful for a smile or a friendly introduction on the first few nervous days at College, so muster up a little bit of courage and get the friend-making ball rolling!
WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU IN THE TRANSITION
Taster Days
If you have applied to the College, you will be invited to a Taster Day in July. This will allow you to meet some of your teachers and peers ahead of starting with us in September. We will also be putting on a BBQ so you can chat to people in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Enrichment
We have lots of clubs and activities which we encourage students to get involved in. This will give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and make even more friends. If you see an opportunity for a club that we aren’t running – start one yourself! Lots of our clubs are run by students for students.
Learner Coaches
Your tutor (we call them Learner Coaches) will work hard to ensure that every one of their tutees is settling in well. The tutor sessions during the first few weeks of College will be given over to getting to know each other and helping you feel settled. You will then meet one-to-one with your Learner Coach each month and they will ask about any concerns you may have and spend time trying to solve those problems with you.
YOU’LL WONDER WHAT YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT
I know it’s hard to believe but you WILL make friends and you won’t feel like this forever. Chloe Wells from Cardinal Newman says: “In the beginning I didn’t think I would make any new friends but now, half a year in, I have friends in every one of my lessons that I am in contact with in and out of College.” This is the same we story that we get from all of our students. Chloe isn’t a one off!
YOUR FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL WON’T STOP BEING YOUR FRIENDS
Just because you might be going to a different sixth form from your friends, doesn’t mean you won’t stay friends. They will always be at the end of their phone and you’re not going anywhere – you can still meet up with them outside of College time!
You may begin to find that you see your ‘old’ friends less once you make new ones at College, but that’s normal, and it only happens if you let it!
IT’S OK TO DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU
You may be feeling some pressure to choose the same sixth form as your friends, or to stay at your school because your friends are, even though you think it might not be right for you. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you make decisions based entirely on what’s best for you (we’re talking from experience here!).
The educational foundation you build now will affect your university and job applications for the rest of your working life. You need to make sure you’re doing what’s best for you. Your true friends will still be there no matter what!
STILL WORRIED?
Contact us, we’re here to help:
Email: aparr@stdavidscollege.ac.uk
Tweet: @stdavidscoll
Facebook: St David’s Catholic College
Call: 02920 498 555