Newsletter #5 - Preparing for a new school year.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #5 - August 15th 2010 - http://www.teenhelp.org

Welcome to the TeenHelp Newsletter! Our Newsletter contains a lot of useful information about our current work, including updates to our site and services, work with our partners and affiliates, details of upcoming events, short bits of advice, interesting links and more!

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TeenHelp regularly makes changes to its site and services. Some of these are large and noticeable, and others are small and much less so, but each one contributes to the positive development of TeenHelp and how our users experience our community. Below are some of the most recent developments.

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Equal topic coverage (August 13th 2010)

Do you feel that issues affecting you are being under-represented on TeenHelp? Would you like to see these issues get better coverage in Avatar, the Newsletter, our Resources and more? Now you have the opportunity to have an input into our topic selection for all of these areas; to have your say, simply complete the form below for each issue you believe is being inadequately covered by us, and we will take steps to improve. This will enable TeenHelp to become a much fairer and more encompassing place for all.

http://www.teenhelp.org/misc.php?do=form&fid=33

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TeenHelp poster (August 8th 2010)

A TeenHelp poster is now available for our supporters to distribute. The poster is designed to help raise awareness of the services and resources that TeenHelp offers to teenagers and young adults who are facing difficulties in today's society. If you have some spare time, why not help to promote TeenHelp by putting the poster up in your schools, clubs and other places where those who could benefit from our work might find it.

http://www.teenhelp.org/links/click.php?id=5

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TeenHelp works with a range of different organisations and websites in order to help and educate young people. Below are some of our most recent affiliations. For a full list of the organisations we work with, please visit our Resources page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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Sparknotes

Supported by Barnes & Nobel, Sparknotes is a site that helps people in school and university with a range of topics. Their aim is to make complex material easier for you to understand. The range of guides and summaries they offer are great study aids to help you get through every assignment! For example, their "No Fear Shakespeare" section provides a passage by passage translation into 'modern language' to help you figure out exactly what he's talking about!

http://www.sparknotes.com/

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Bitesize

BBC Bitesize is a great resource to help UK students prepare for their GCSEs and other stages of school. Bitesize cover many different subjects and provide study notes, fun activities and even practice tests to help you learn. If you're starting your GCSEs soon, or already have them in progress, try using Bitesize to help you while you're going along.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize/

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Each month we share small bits of practical advice that you can implement to improve your life or that of others.

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Making new friends

It is that time of year yet again, heading back to school. Many of us are starting up at a new school, college or university, and it can be an especially scary time trying to make new friends. Here are a few ways for you to become friends with new people:

• Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to the peers next to you in your classes.
• Start up a conversation with someone you do not know. Ask questions, such as what their favorite music, books, and movies are.
• Smile and make eye contact, as that is a good lead-in to a conversation. It also makes you appear more friendly and approachable.
• Compliment people. Find something positive about them, but don't go overboard and always say the truth.
• Join clubs. Every school has a variety of activities and organizations you can participate in.
• Don't change to fit in. Be yourself, as real friends will accept you just the way you are.

If you have any questions on how to make friends, please visit: http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f18-friends-family/. We are more than happy to help you out.

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Balancing school and work

Now that a lot of TeenHelp users are getting older, many of you are, or may be considering, going to school as well as working. Here's how you can balance school and work.

• Remember, school is more important than work, because without an education, you can not get good jobs.
• Create a realistic schedule that you can stick to. Work should not have a negative effect on your studies.
• Before you start work, discuss the hours and the importance of school with your employer. Ensure that the agreed number of hours are followed strictly.
• If you find that you're getting stressed out easily, talk to your boss, maybe you can work something out.
• "I was at work" is not an excuse for not completing your homework, so make sure you finish all your assigned tasks.

For more advice or help, check out the Education and Careers forum. http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/

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Effective study skills

Start the new school year with good study habits. Develop and practice these study skills to help you perform well in school, and to ultimately achieve success in your future career.

• Find out your learning style, whether it is visual, verbally, or instructionally.
• Do not believe that "I will never use this after high school". At some point in life, you will need the things you learn.
• Be responsible for your own studies and learn how to manage your time. For example, keep a homework diary.
• Take good notes in class.
• Review your notes reguarly to reinforce your learning, as cramming before a test is rarely effective.
• Find a quiet, comfortable place to study, free from clutter and other distractions.
• Keep study sessions short, no more than one hour, and take regular breaks.
• Test yourself from time to time and see how much study material you have retained.
• Be committed to learning. Try not to miss any class and arrive on time.

Habits are hard to break, so establish good habits this year! For advice on effective study skills, visit: http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/

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A lot of content is posted to TeenHelp every single day, from threads to articles, social groups to albums. But it is difficult for even the most veteran user to keep on top of it all, so we have selected a few items from among the masses that we thought were interesting to draw your attention to.

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Threads

TeenHelp.org back in the day
Whether you're a new or regular user, why not take a look at what TeenHelp used to look like!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...-org-back-day/

What was the number one song when you were born?!
Have you ever wondered what the 'Number One' song was on the day you were born? Find out here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f32-c...you-were-born/

Exhibition photos
Showcasing user Konstantine's original and brilliant artwork. Check it out here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f36-p...bition-photos/

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Social Groups

TeenHelp Phobiacs
Do you have your own phobia? If so, join this social group and let others know what it is!
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...help+phobiacs/

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Blogs

30 Day Challenge
Do you want to challenge yourself? Try this 30 day plan.
http://www.teenhelp.org/blogs/elle./...lenge-attempt/

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Albums

Art
Check out user Armand's artwork here:
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/armand/a1020-my+art/

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Upcoming events

Discussion: Depression (Saturday August 21st 2010)

Depression is a pattern of low moods that can affect all aspect's of your life, and is often accompanied by low self esteem, and withdrawal from emotional and social activities. This discussion will help you learn how to reach out for help, and begin a recovery from depression.

Discussion: Self harm (Saturday August 28th 2010)

Self harm is a significant problem for many young people today. This discussion will explore alternatives, solutions and ways to seek advice in the face of this widespread and often misunderstood issue.

Discussion: Death and grieving (Saturday September 4th 2010)

Death can be one of the toughest struggles to overcome. If you know someone who has passed away, and need help with moving on, join this discussion to learn more and help others with the same difficulties. Also, if you have lost loved ones to suicide, this discussion will help you start the healing process as a survivor.

Discussion: Relationships (Saturday September 11th 2010)

Relationships have their ups and downs. Whether it is a family member, friend, or a significant other, this discussion will help you to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about upcoming Facilitated Chat Room Discussions (FCRDs), and the times that these discussions will take place, please visit our FCRD page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/chat/discussions/

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Avatar is now out

Avatar is TeenHelp's very own monthly magazine. Each month we publish a series of high quality articles and other content produced by TeenHelp users. Some of this month's articles include: our support for the Dizzy Feet Foundation, how to help loved ones who self harm, and information on cartilage piercings.

August 2010 (single-paged): http://www.teenhelp.org/links/click.php?id=3
August 2010 (double-paged): http://www.teenhelp.org/links/click.php?id=4
Avatar page: http://www.teenhelp.org/avatar/

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Statistics

50,000 threads

In less than two years, TeenHelp has reached 50,000 threads throughout the Support Forums!

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Donate to TeenHelp

In order to continue providing free services to young people around the world, TeenHelp requires a constant income of voluntary donations to support our regular costs. If you are able to, we ask that you please donate any money you can to us, even if it's only a few dollars.

http://www.teenhelp.org/donate/

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Our Facebook and Twitter pages are a great place to get a lot of high-quality information. We aim to connect you to interesting organisations, volunteering opportunities, events, news stories, pictures, videos, and more!

Facebook: http://www.teenhelp.org/facebook
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Editor-in-Chief: Rob
Deputy Editor: Briana
Assistant Editor: Brittany (.Brittany.)
Assistant Editor: Haley (Halcyon)

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