There will be times in life when you struggle. 

Our strength comes from facing and overcoming our struggles.

Whether you are finding it hard to understand your homework, having friendship problems, or struggling with your emotions - there is ALWAYS something you can do. 

Here are 3 suggestions for what to do when you recognise you are struggling. 

1. Have Compassion for yourself

It's often easy to tell ourselves to ''just get on with things''.

Yes, resilience is important. But so is having compassion for how you feel. To acknowledge you are struggling. Reassure yourself that it is normal to struggle - because it is. It doesn't make you weak. It doesn't make you not good enough. Treat yourself with the same level of care and understanding as you would for someone who really matters to you - like a family member or close friend. 

2. Think about what is in your control

Looking at your struggle, what is in your control? What is outside of your control?

What decisions can you make and what actions can you take to make things better? 

Who can help you? 

Even though you may feel helpless, there are things you can do to overcome this struggle or, at least, make it more manageable.  

3. Talk to someone

You don't need to keep your struggle a secret or overcome it on your own. 

There are people around you who can help and want to help - family, friends, school staff. 

Ms Standring runs a weekly drop in session on Mondays 12:40-13:20 in L008. 

You can also share your concern using the SHARP reporting system for anything you feel you can't talk about in person (though please put your name so we can respond to you directly and help). 

There are people who can help make your struggle a little easier for you but only when you let someone know you are struggling.

Talk to someone today - your future self will thank you for it.