{"id":29699,"date":"2022-07-21T11:29:47","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T23:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nzie.ac.nz\/?p=29699"},"modified":"2022-07-26T11:00:16","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T23:00:16","slug":"blog-meet-wellbeing-coach-shirley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nzie.ac.nz\/blog-meet-wellbeing-coach-shirley\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet NZIE Wellbeing Coach Shirley"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Shirley has been working at NZIE for 14 years. From team leader, Head of Department and Program Leader of the PELT department, Shirley is the Wellbeing coach for NZIE\u2019s Client Success Team<\/a>. She has experience as a 24\/7 phone counsellor, as well as many years of experience teaching students of all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Shirley is available to talk to students who are struggling with their studies: <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cIf any students want to discuss anything that might be affecting their wellbeing in a safe environment, confidentially, they can get in touch with me. We can chat on zoom or phone, whatever is most comfortable.<\/span><\/p> I can refer students to professional and community services that are available. This includes counselling and financial advice.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Shirley says many students are \u201cjuggling\u201d a large number of tasks and responsibilities, whilst also studying full time. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cThey might be working full time, and they come in very enthusiastic but life gets in the way. Anxiety, financial pressures. Priorities change. Some students have to work more and have less time to study.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Sometimes all students need is a listening ear to make them feel better.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cQuite often it\u2019s just having somebody listen to them so they can get it off their chest. That can be quite helpful in itself.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The Client Success team uses the Te Whare Tapa Wh\u0101 model to check which areas students need extra support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cIt could be a physical thing such as lacking in sleep. We\u2019d find some tools to help with that. It could be meditation, relaxing music or even be herbal tea. Discussing what can be realistically implement that\u2019s not too onerous or complicated…just simple things that can make a big difference.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Pictured below is a diagram of Te Whare Tapa Wh\u0101:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Shirley has a huge amount of resources which she uses to help students in need.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> “It\u2019s not a one size fits all. Every student is individual: some students will be not into mediation at all so we\u2019ll look at something else. They might say \u2018I used to like drawing.\u2019 Maybe they can get a sketch pad? It can be they forget to drink water. [Some] basic, obvious things – but they might be so busy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Shirley recommends setting boundaries, both personally and within relationships, to navigate a study schedule. \u201cAt 5 pm, close your computer, and go for a walk around the block to mark the end of your work or study day. Have a bit of a detox with screen time.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> While you are studying online, there are many students studying with NZIE all over New Zealand. Shirley recently spoke to a student who formed a study group in Christchurch with fellow NZIE students. “It’s really cool to hear. Connecting in person – that\u2019s encouraging.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cIt\u2019s fine to not to be okay. Don\u2019t feel afraid to reach out. It’s a sign of strength if you need some support. Don\u2019t struggle on, don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re at breaking point. It’s better to come in earlier, then we can set you up with tools to help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> That’s the whole point, we\u2019re in this together. We really want you to succeed. For you and for us as well.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cSet up good self-care routines<\/a> and make it a priority. When you are feeling the pressure with your studies…take a break. Get out for a walk and do something that you enjoy. Look into breathing exercises or simple yoga<\/a>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \u201cOften students say they feel supported. They say their tutors are awesome, and they can\u2019t do enough; the wellbeing support at NZIE is kind of like a wrap around. That is the point of difference between us and a big tertiary institute. [We] get to know each student as individuals. We keep saying \u2018no student left behind\u2019. We want to support them all.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Shirley\u2019s role as a wellbeing coach <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Common issues that arise for students <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Te Whare Tapa Wh\u0101 model <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Tools and resources that can help students<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>
Top wellbeing tips while studying <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Set boundaries\u00a0<\/h4>
Find a study group\u00a0<\/h4>
Don\u2019t be afraid to reach out\u00a0<\/h4>
Set good routines\u00a0<\/h4>
No student left behind <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t