There’s a lot of debate and discussion about social media at the moment - is it good for us? Is it rotting our brains? Should it have age restrictions in the same way that alcohol and gambling do? Is it really possible to find a way to use social media that supports our lives and doesn’t have any negative impacts? 

In this blog, we’re going to discuss this essential, topical subject. We’re going to have a look at:

• what is social media

• pros and cons of social media

• particular dangers and concerns about the impact of social media

This month we are looking at how the developing teenage brain is affected in relation to:

• Sleep

• Attention & focus

• Learning & studying

We’ll also look at how we might harness the understanding of brain science to build good habits that optimise growth, development and brain integration.

‘Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow’ - Tom Rath

In this blog, we’re going to discuss neuroscientific understandings about how the teenage brain works, covering the following areas:

• the science of brain development

• why teenagers’ emotions feel so intense

• the social brain - the importance of peer approval

• risk-taking behaviour

When you are a young child, most decisions are made for you by your adult caregivers and teachers. As you grow up, you become more and more responsible for making your own decisions. Sometimes this can feel a bit scary! Or exciting! The ability to trust yourself to make good decisions for yourself is a key part of becoming a well-functioning adult. This means that decision-making is an essential lifeskill to develop.

In this blog, we are going to look at:

• what is decision-making and why it is important

• how to make good decisions for yourself

• common challenges with decision making

• some practical examples

• tips for smarter decision-making

• how your own values and ethics influence your decision-making

Living in Badenoch and Strathspey and looking for local work or study opportunities? This blog is for you! We’ve rounded up lots of information on how to search for what you are looking for, including:

• Part-time jobs

• Full-time employment

• Work experience or internship

• Short courses

• College courses

• Funding for a project or business idea

• Apprenticeships

Unlock the secret to meaningful conversations with practical tips for small talk and building communication confidence. From mastering active listening to choosing the right topics, this blog provides actionable advice to navigate social situations with ease. Whether connecting with new people or enhancing existing relationships, discover how great communication can transform your interactions!

Humans have a deep need to feel seen, heard, understood and valued - this is what creates true connection. We can all think of examples of when we’ve been talking to someone who isn’t really listening. Perhaps you’ve been trying to tell your parent something and they are busy doing chores or half-listening to you as they answer an email. Maybe your friend seemed to be listening but then suddenly started talking about something else that was kind of relevant to what you had been saying, but was more about them. How did that make you feel?

In this blog, we are going to dive into what communication is and why it matters so much. We are also going to look at:

• the 7 Cs of effective communication

• body language

• communication styles

Do any of these sound familiar? For most people - whatever their age and stage of life, and in every area of their lives - communication with others is both vital and, at times, problematic. Depending on their own individual family upbringing, schooling, culture, beliefs, neurodivergence and many other factors, each person learns to communicate in their own way. Unfortunately those ways do not always meet harmoniously! Happily though, like any other life skills, we can learn more about and how we communicate. We’ll look at some tips for doing just that in this and our next blog.

‘Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.’ - Samuel Johnson In this blog we are going to look at how to develop a growth mindset, and why that’s a good idea for your personal development, endeavours and general approach to life. We are going to explore:

• What is a growth mindset

• Why cultivating a growth mindset is important

• How to develop a growth mindset

• Asking for help with your mindset

In this blog we are going to look at what you actually do within your study time. We’ll assume you’ve sorted out a suitable space where you can work uninterrupted for segments of time that suit you. You have your coursework, any textbooks or online resources, your Chromebook, and paper and pens, sticky notes, highlighters or whatever you prefer to use. Now what?

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ - Nelson Mandela

This month, with prelim exams and assessments looming, we’re looking at the specifics of managing study time and avoiding procrastination. We’re also having a quick look at some different study techniques. Again, these are such vital life skills that are so beneficial to learn when you are young. They can be applied to every aspect of your life from your studies to your career to your fitness to managing and running your home and family. It’s important to take time to figure out what works for you - we’re all different!

‘Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.’

- Benjamin Franklin

The term ‘time management’ sounds pretty adult and grown-up, doesn’t it? Something that adults have to do to juggle all their responsibilities. Why would you want or need to ‘manage’ your time when you are young?! Shouldn’t you just be enjoying yourself? Well, fun is obviously very important, but time management skills are what you need in order to successfully work towards and achieve your goals. Learning these skills while you’re young is actually a great idea, as they really will support you to succeed throughout your life at whatever you want to do!

‘If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ - Roald Dahl

I’ve always loved this quote by one of my favourite childhood authors, from his novel ‘The Twits’. I think he was mainly talking about the difference between kind and unkind thoughts we have about other people. But the same thing applies to how we think inside our heads about ourselves and our own experiences. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that voice was always kind, helpful and positive? I know if mine was, then sunbeams really would shine out my face!

‘All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.’ - James Clear

Is there a person alive who doesn’t want to change something about their life, about how and who they are in the world? Perhaps you want to get more sleep, reduce your phone usage, or study more effectively. You might want to exercise more, improve a relationship or be more productive at work. Maybe you dream of mastering a musical instrument. You may feel a sense of dissatisfaction, or purposelessness.

If there’s one life skill that everyone needs to get a handle on in this world, it’s money management. Counting our piggy bank pennies was easy but adult finances are quite a bit more complicated! How we earn, spend, save and pay our way through life really is something that’s worth learning how to do well. In this blog post we’re providing some tips, advice and resources to set you on the right path to learn how to manage your money with confidence and ease.

‘Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow’ - Tom Rath

The title of this blog post is taken from the name of a very popular TED Talk by brain scientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker. So popular in fact, that at the time of writing it had almost 17 million views! Its popularity - and that of his many other TED Talks on subjects ranging from the relationship between sleep and emotions, sleep and memory, sleep and hunger and many more - is indicative of the wider concerns about and problems with sleep affecting modern-day western society.

Being emotionally intelligent means understanding feelings - both our own, and other people’s.

As much as we like to think we’re rational beings, the reality is that humans are inherently emotional. Our emotions are the lens through which we perceive and interpret the world. We react emotionally to people, places and events instantly, and then recruit our rationality to justify our emotions afterwards.