Moving away from home to pursue further study is a daunting, possibly overwhelming, time in a young person’s life. They have to leave people they are close to, as well as familiar routines, and may have limited connections beyond their home town. Students may experience anxiety around what their new living place will be like and the new people they will meet. Helping students to make a prior plan to help them cope during this transition, to connect with people in their new location, and to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing, is pivotal during this time.
Learning Intention
Students will develop strategies for coping with moving away from home to study.
Key Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- develop strategies to cope with moving away from home to study
- begin connecting with people in their new location
- prioritise their mental health and wellbeing during this time.
activity 01
Instructions 5 minutes
Explain to students that moving away from home to study is a big life transition that shouldn’t be underestimated.
The young people in the video have some advice to help make the move easier.
- Brainstorm with students some challenges they might face if they choose to move away from home. Examples:
- financial stress
- distance from support networks
- separation from friends.
- Students view the ReachOut.com video ‘Moving away to study’.
- Encourage students to make a plan for moving away to study, using these questions:
- How will I manage when I miss home?
- How will I connect with people in my new location?
- Who will I reach out to if I’m feeling lonely or in need of support?
Debrief
Remind students that moving away from home can be very challenging. Whether they are moving just a few minutes down the road, or several hours’ distance interstate, they will still feel a sense of change and need support. Having an idea of what they can do, and who they can reach out to, will help them feel prepared for the challenge.
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