Newsletter #14 - Avatar delays; staying safe at a festival or party; making the transition from high school to university.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #14 - May 15th 2011 - 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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Avatar Magazine delays (May 15th 2011)

Many of our readers may have by now noticed the delays in releasing our magazine - Avatar - in recent months. This delay has been the result of a number of factors, including changing editorial teams, time constraints and other complications. However, we are happy to say we are well under way in catching up. We are hoping to be able to make a new Avatar release within the next several weeks! Let's take this opportunity to motivate the Avatar team to accomplish their goal.

http://www.teenhelp.org/avatar/

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Latest videos (May 14th 2011)

Due to the hard work of our Videos Team, over the last several months we have seen many great additions to our Videos section. One of our latest additions includes a video about making a good impression when you meet new people. More videos are being added all the time, so check regularly to see all our favourite picks!

http://www.teenhelp.org/videos/general/

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

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

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NHS Change4Life

Change4Life, run by the NHS and based in the UK, is a campaign to encourage everyone to lead healthier lives by eating the right foods and exercising regularly. Their website contains educational videos, recipe ideas, healthier alternatives to snacks with high fat and sugar content, a search facility to find out what activities are taking place locally, and links to other resources. Join to get a free Action Plan to help you change for life!

http://www.nhs.uk/change4life

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Whizz-Kidz

Whizz-Kidz is a fantastic UK charity that advocates on behalf of young people with disabilities. They help disabled children gain access to vital equipment that enables them to make the most of their childhoods. They also facilitate a number of other services to help disabled children lead ordinary lives, such as organising social groups where they can make new friends; teach children valuable life skills; and campaign to change public services in order to better meet the needs of those with disabilities.

http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

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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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How to stay safe at a festival or party

Whether it be a music, comedy or cultural festival; a graduation party or any other party in general; we should be able to enjoy ourselves without the need to feel like we are in danger. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and enjoy yourself.

• Stay with people you know, as thieves are not likely to target you when you are part of a group.
• Avoid dark areas and stay in the well-lit, main area of the event.
• Keep away from anti-social behaviour and notify security if you witness something that they are not in the vicinity of.
• Be careful not to consume too much alcohol, to ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Do not store all your possessions in one place, keep them out of sight, and never leave valuables unattended. Only bring what you can afford to lose.
• Bring only as much money as you need, keeping it safe in your wallet or purse.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f23-media-entertainment/

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Make your transition from high school to university easier

The transition from high school to university can be a challenging time, but you are not alone. The following tips may help to make it easier for you.

• Speak to family and friends who are at/have been to university so that you can get some idea of what to expect.
• Do your homework about the university and its location; whether you will live on campus and within walking distance, or live further out and use private/public transport to get in.
• Buy all the relevant equipment such as pens, folders and paper, so that you're prepared for your first day.
• Make sure you have all the relevant documents and information for yourself and your parents/guardians to look over and to take to Orientation/Freshers' Week.
• Make the most of Orientation/Freshers' Week, as it is a good time to interact with people and make friends.
• Create a timetable so that you can relax and have fun, while also having time to concentrate on your studies.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/

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Making the very best of your summer break

For many of us, summer signifies the end of our constant struggles with school. How can we have a break that is very much enjoyable but also productive?

• Balance both friends and family - We often choose to spend the entire summer with friends, but by also spending time with family, we can ensure stronger relationships for the future.
• Watch your sleep - As breaks come to an end, it is important that we get our bodies functioning well on at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night.
• Deter the illegal - It is easy for us to lose ourselves during breaks, but we also need to ensure that we stay on the right side of the law, otherwise, we can endanger our futures.
• Be proactive - It is really easy and natural for us to shut down our brains during the summer break. However, doing this leads to complication when the break ends. Doing things from daily brain puzzles to summer classes keep our brains moving and ready for the challenges ahead.
• Start planning for the future - It is never too early for us to start planning goals to meet. We need to set goals for ourselves that maintain our motivation effectively.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-lifestyle/

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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

What are you studying?
Have you ever wondered what subjects other TeenHelp users are studying? Check out this thread to find out!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-e...-you-studying/

Why are you beautiful?
Despite our daily struggles, everyone is beautiful in their own special way. Tell us why you are beautiful here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...beautiful-3-a/

Small things that make you smile
The simple things in life have the potential to turn your day around. Share your happy experiences with us, the things that made you smile today, or reminded you that life is beautiful.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f29-g...ake-you-smile/

Childhood memories?
Each of us have different things that remind us of our childhood days. Share your memories with us here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f29-g...hood-memories/

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Social Groups

Quotes to Remember...
Quotes possess unique qualities that differ for many of us. For some of us, they help to soothe our hearts and calm our nerves, and for others, they fortify our determination and motivation to let nothing stand in our way. Together this group aims to share everyone's personal life quotes with one another.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...++remember.../

Free Hugs Here
If you are feeling alone, and in need of a hug, or if you like giving hugs to show your support, then join this group and spread the love!
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...ere+%26lt%3B3/

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Upcoming events

Discussion: Nutrition and healthy living (Saturday May 21st 2011)

Do you wish to change your habits in order to lead a healthier lifestyle? From feeling better about yourself to an improved immune system, establishing a healthier lifestyle now will enable you to reap the benefits for years to come. Join this discussion to learn about maintaining a healthy diet, proper exercise and other aspects of getting the most out of your health.

Discussion: Relationships (Saturday May 28th 2011)

Relationships of all kinds have their ups and downs. Whether you're having trouble with a family member, friend, or significant other, this discussion will help you to answer any questions you may have.

Discussion: Seeking employment (Saturday June 4th 2011)

We all dream of the perfect job, but when it comes down to reality, we may be faced with tough competition. How do we find the most suitable job for us? With all the opportunities that are available, how can we narrow down what we want and what we are qualified for? This discussion will help you to consider the options, seek advice from those who have been through a similar process, and get answers to any questions that you may have.

Discussion: Managing break ups (Saturday June 11th 2011)

Have you, or someone you know, recently been through a very painful heartbreak? In this discussion, we will cover many areas, including, coping strategies, recovery stories, learning to hold your head up high, and much more.

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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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: Haley (Halcyon)
Assistant Editor: Rianna (Moonlight.)
Assistant Editor: Rylan (u.got.ninja.ed)

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