24/7 Hotlines: Call or text 988 or text 741741

Back To School

Back to school can be a very stressful time. As a student, it can be very overwhelming to have new classes, teachers, classmates, and more. It is an adjustment to begin a new school year even if you are in the same school with the same people year after year. It is important to set yourself up for success at the beginning of the school year and push through the challenges that come with starting a new year. Although the start of the school year can be nerve-wracking it can also be new and exciting. Students have the opportunity to make new friends, learn from new teachers about new topics, and start fresh. Navigating this change brings up so many different feelings, so here are some different ways to manage the start of a new school year.

1. Planning/Organizing

Preparing for the start of a new school year will allow you to go into the year organized and ready. Some different ways to do this are to get a planner and start filling in the planner with information from your syllabi. In addition to having a planner, it can be very useful to color code your subjects. For example, you can make your notebook and folder for science the color green and when you are adding science assignments to the planner, also write that in green. This can help coordinate your subjects and keep everything consistent.

2. Keep an open mind

When starting a new school year it can be easy to find yourself wishing for familiarity and consistency. Remind yourself that you were in this same position last year and were able to adjust. Keep an open mind about new teachers, classmates, and class subjects. Allowing things to come to you as they are without preconceived notions will give you a positive experience and an easy transition.

3. Remain confident

Everyone walks into the wrong class on the first day. It is normal to get lost or confused in the first couple of weeks of school. Classes are harder and that comes with uncertainty. In these moments remain confident and continue to push through. It takes time to achieve success and staying strong will help you to accomplish all your goals. Always remember to be kind to yourself and remember that adjustment is temporary and shortly routines will be established.

4. Ask for help

Asking for help is so important during times of transition. Seeking support gives us strength and allows us to feel less alone. Ask for guidance whether that be from a teacher, classmate, parent, or a professional. Talking through difficult situations and gaining skills equips you to deal with future challenges and make future transitions easier.

~ Alexa

Moving Into A New Chapter

The time has come… Execute Order 66…

My bad, this isn’t about Star Wars šŸ˜…. Let’s try again.


After living with my mom for the entire 23 years Iā€™ve been alive, and in the same area for almost 20 years, the time has come where I move out.

Moving is one of the most stressful times in oneā€™s life, and I can see why.  While I myself havenā€™t fully processed relocating, Iā€™ve seen how it has been affecting those close to me, including my cat.

Iā€™ve had my cat, Gavin, for 15 years.  We adopted him when he was 1 year old, making him 16 years old now (80 years old in human years).  Heā€™s still very active, though, and doesnā€™t look his age at all.  Gavin is an indoor cat; his knowledge of the outside world is nearly nonexistent.  When moving in the past, he was very stressed and unhappy being in his cage and traveling in the car.  He will be staying with my mom and her boyfriend, but regardless of who he would have been going with, I know heā€™ll be very stressed like usual.  Fortunately, he and my momā€™s boyfriend love each other, so weā€™re hoping that will help soften the blow of me no longer living with him every day.

My cat, Gavin šŸ˜ŗ

As mentioned earlier, I still havenā€™t fully processed moving, and the big day is less than a week away at the time of me writing this.  I think once Iā€™m actually in my new place, and have spent the first night alone, it will hit me hard.  I will certainly miss my mom and cat.  Iā€™m sure that not living with me everyday anymore will be the most difficult part of moving for my mom.  I think Gavin will miss me too; a few months ago, I spent about a week in New York, and my mom sent me pictures of Gavin sitting outside my bedroom door.  The good thing, though, is that I wonā€™t be too far away, so visiting wonā€™t be a problem.

Of the three places in my current town that Iā€™ve lived in, I havenā€™t become attached to any of them.Ā  I have, however, developed an attachment to the town itself.Ā  As Iā€™m sure a lot of people experience, I feel most comfortable in familiar environments.Ā  I know my way around this town very well, so Iā€™m thinking it will be a huge shock to my system living in another area that Iā€™m not too familiar with yet.

Ready or not, though, the day is upon me.Ā  Whenever I finally experience the full effect of stress caused by moving, I know that overall I am looking forward to beginning this new chapter in my life. The place I’m moving into seems very promising, so that definitely helps.Ā 

Wish me luck! ~ TM

National Singles Day 2022

I have been single my entire life.  While I used to think my life would be better if I were in a relationship, I now realize that being single isnā€™t such a bad thing.  

Throughout high school, middle school, and even the later years of elementary school, there was this sort of social pressure that you should start having a boyfriend or girlfriend.  These days, I think it was quite silly that we were all so worried about that when we were so young.  

I remember when I was a freshman in high school, I was made fun of by another student for not having any romantic experiences.  At first I was embarrassed because of peer pressure and social status, but now it doesnā€™t bother me as much.  Not everyone will experience the same things at the same time as everyone else. 

Since the pandemic, dating has become even harder for a lot of people as there have been less chances for in person social interaction, something that many humans crave.  Most people are making connections online which definitely isnā€™t the same as in person.  Itā€™s difficult to determine if you have a bond with someone when youā€™re only communicating through text.

My main reason for wanting a relationship was due to being lonely.  While I still get lonely sometimes, I know one can still feel that way even if they are in a relationship.  Iā€™ve seen first hand and have read countless stories of people who were not too happy in their relationship due to lack of affection and what not. 

In my opinion, it takes a lot of hard work to be in a successful relationship.  When you want to do something, you more often than not will have to keep your significant other in mind and how what you want to do might affect them.  You also have to (do your best to) satisfy the needs of your partner.

Iā€™ve also come to realize that I am not yet ready to be in a relationship.Ā  The time and energy that it takes is something I am not capable of giving at the moment.Ā  I feel I still need to work on myself so that when I am ready, I can give my future partner the best version of myself.Ā  Until then, I will appreciate being single.

Therell

Maternal Mental Health

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day/Week/Month focuses on the mental health of mothers who are going through childbirth.  At least 1 in 5 new mothers go through some sort of anxiety disorder regarding childbirth in many countries.  The illnesses often go untreated which can have long-term consequences to both the mother and the child. 

Anxiety disorders can be developed by women who are from many different backgrounds such as culture, age, ethnicity, etc.  Symptoms of such disorders can be seen any moment during a motherā€™s pregnancy as well as the first year after childbirth.  Effective treatment options are available to help motherā€™s recover.  

If you are a soon to be mother or you know someone who will be, contact the maternal mental health hotline at 1-833-HELP4MOMS or 1-833-943-5746.

May The 4th Be With You

Star Wars has been a part of my life since I was a little kid.  I grew up with the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, & Revenge of the Sith), so I tend to like that set of movies the most, but I still love the originals (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, & Return of the Jedi) too.   

Watching Star Wars has had a positive impact on my mental health.  Whenever I watch it, it puts me in a good mood.  Even the sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, & The Rise of Skywalker), which I donā€™t really like that much because of the story, but I do like most of the characters.  

I honestly feel like parts of my life would be drastically different had I not been introduced to Star Wars.  For example, I wanted to be a Jedi when I was younger, I often quote Star Wars in my day to day life, and I have also lived by some ideas within the franchise.  One of these ideas was that negative emotions (the dark side) are bad.  However, I donā€™t live by this anymore because I have learned that continuously suppressing negative emotions can be unhealthy.  

Star Wars means so much to me.  I still have a lot of merchandise from the franchise; toys from my childhood, clothes, books, video games, etc. 

To end off, I will leave some of my favorite Star Wars quotes below:

ā€œFear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.ā€ – Yoda

ā€œTry not.  Do, or do not.  There is no try.ā€ – Yoda

ā€œI am one with the Force and the Force is with me.ā€ – Chirrut Ǝmwe

Happy Star Wars day everyone!  May the Force be with you!