Buckinghamshire College Group - Student Services Newsletter - Summer 22

STUDENT SERVICES NEWSLETTER

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SUMMER 22

IN THIS ISSUE SELF CARE DAY IDEAS HELP DURING THE HOLIDAYS TIMEOUT ACTIVITIES WHAT ARE E-CIGARETTES?

Wellbeing We hope you have all had a good year in our first year returning to full time learning. It has been lovely to see you all on site and seeing the different things you have being doing. If you are returning to college in September we look forward to seeing you then. If you are moving on from College, we wish you good luck for your future.

College is still open over the Summer and the Student Services Team are here to support you with Information, Advice and Guidance. If you need any help or support please get in touch.

studentservices@buckscollegegroup.ac.uk

Monday 15th August 2022 is National Relaxa tion Day! It’s hard to avoid b urnout without kicking that foot up on an ottoman every now and the n!

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Timeout Activities

CUTOUT COLOUR RELAX

You should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day, a hydrated mind thinks more clearly!

Selfcare WORDSEARCH Memory Mindfulness Plan Relaxation Respect Self Image Selfcare Shower Sleep Social Supporting Trusting Value Answers

Acceptable Accountability Awareness Calm Comfort Confidence Courage Focus Humble Hygiene Independent Love Management

There is always someone there for you!

With the summer break starting, you may have less access to our Welfare and Safeguarding staff. So, we wanted to share some resources that you can use if you are struggling or need some extra support.

Useful Websites Mental health charity supporting young people, parents and carers Supports unpaid carers and young carers in Buckinghamshire aged 5 – 95+ providing advice, information, emotional support.

24/7 access to self-help materials. Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support Hub of Hope is a nationwide mental health database. Whether it’s someone to talk to or a ‘safe place’ to visit, there is always help available.

Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health in young people.

Advice on sexual health and contraception

Phone free on 116 123 for crisis help

Useful Apps

Sleep, meditation and relaxation app.

This is also available online.

Mindfulness App to improve mental health and academic performance.

Helps children better understand their stress and shows them ways to feel better

Mood diary to help users deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion.

Reducing stress using a Colour by number app, this can help with focus and distraction.

re a c f l Se list check ge! n e l l a ch

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WAYS TO HAVE A SELF CARE DAY

Listen to happy songs Listening to some songs that make you happy can help set the mood for the day.

Move Walk, try an online yoga session or exercise in your living room, as long as it involves some movement.

Take a bubble bath Draw yourself a bath, pour some bubble bath in it, and do nothing but relax and breathe.

Pamper yourself Take the time to moisturize from head to toe then have a lazy day with your favourite comfortable clothes.

Hydrate Drinking plenty of water is essential to remain healthy. Try adding some freshly sliced fruit.

Write in a gratitude journal Focus on the positive things in your life, even the smallest ones. Draw or write, everything counts.

Unplug and read a book When was the last time you turned your phone off? Put it aside for an hour or two and lose yourself in a good book.

Meditate Sit however and wherever you are the comfortable, close your eyes, and focus on your breath.

Inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds and repeat.

Write a list of things you like… about yourself!

Grab a pen and some paper and list everything you like about yourself. Is it your smile? Your cooking? Try to find at least ten things.

Listen to a podcast Pick a subject you like and only focus on listen to that podcast show about it. Do not try to multitask!

Learn a new skill Have you always dreamed of speaking another language or learning how to draw? Make the most of free apps and online courses.

Clean up your phone Get rid of every app you are not using, old pictures, contacts you do not need and unclutter.

Why not make your own self-care checklist challenge?

Wednesday 10th August 2022 is National Lazy Day! Treat yourself relaxing midweek siesta!

E-cigarettes are an increasingly popular tool to help stop smoking cigarettes and have become more socially acceptable. This is largely because they do not burn tobacco or produce tar and instead produce vapours that resemble cigarette smoke. However, they do typically contain nicotine which is a very addictive substance.

The liquids found in e-cigarettes do contain potentially harmful chemicals and as it is a relatively new phenomenon, some of the long-term effects are not yet known. As such, regulations continue to change. For example, diacetyl, a chemical found to contribute to a condition known as popcorn lung, was banned in e-cigarettes in the UK in 2016.

As with anything new, you should be careful when purchasing e-cigarettes. The increased popularity has led to the market being flooded with illegal products that might be cheaper and have more appealing flavours. These products will likely contain unregulated chemicals for the use in e-cigarettes and so the short and long-term health effects are unknown and likely more dangerous.

As of February 2022, requirements outlined by the MHRA before selling e-cigarette products have included the following: - restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml - restrict the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for sale in one refill container to 10ml - restrict e-liquids to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml They must also include the following guidance on their packaging: - Ingredients – All ingredients which make up 0.1% or more of the final formulation of the e-liquid must be listed. This must also include the nicotine content.

- Health warnings – E-liquid labels must carry the following warning ‘This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance’. There is also legislation surrounding the placement of this message, which must be adhered to.

- Dose – E-liquid labels must show the product’s nicotine content per dose.

- Information on safe usage. This includes a recommendation to keep the product out of the reach of children, along with instructions for usage and storage. This should include instructions on refilling products where applicable and batch numbers must also be included.

- Warnings – If any warnings for specific risk groups apply, these should also be noted within the labelling, alongside possible adverse effects, addictiveness, and toxicity.

- Contact details – Contact details for the producer of the product must be present on the label. If the producer is outside the EU, then an EU contact must be provided.

If you are trying to give up smoking, you can try speaking with your GP who can advise on free NHS stop smoking services or you can call the helpline below:

Research is key when choosing your courses. Check the course content and talk to the staff teaching the subjects to get all the information on offer. Don't just pick the course based on the name; look in detail at how you will be studying, and will it get you the career that you want?

Careers@buckscollegegroup.ac.uk

The Positivity Jar I can be who I want to be

Fill any jar with pieces of paper, with positive words, comment or affirmations written on them. Then when you are feeling down, read through the pieces of paper to remind you of the positive.

I am talented

I can and I will

Try decorating your jar to make it personal to you.

30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day will help reduce anxiety, depression, and improve self-esteem

I am brave

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Acceptable Accountability Awareness Calm Comfort Confidence Courage Focus Humble Hygiene Independent Love Management

Memory Mindfulness Plan Relaxation Respect Self Image Selfcare Shower Sleep Social Supporting Trusting Value

Selfcare Word Search

I am a good friend

search @buckscollegegroup