Monday – Body Care

Step Outside

“If you’re feeling sluggish, it might be because you are not getting enough natural light. Inside our brains, there is a master clock called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Natural light, even on a very cloudy and dreary winters day, has a powerful effect on regulating this clock and with reduced travel due to working at home, most of us are missing out on this effect. To make use of this, spend some time outside even if it’s just for a minute whilst you are sill in your PJs and drinking your morning cuppa”. Dr Faye Begeti (Neurology Doctor) 

Tuesday – Achievement

Music for Focus

Music shares neural pathways with other cognitive processes. Using classical music when studying can help to develop focus and self-control.Particular tempos, patterns and structures can help the brain enter the ‘Alpha mode’ which keeps the brain alert whilst the body relaxes. Our brains are naturally attracted to the rhythm and pattern of music. Music is also known to release dopamine which helps regulate attention. Research indicates that Baroque music, composed by Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi for example specifically helps the brain enter the ‘Alpha Mode’. Not sure: Give ‘Brandenburg Concertos’ by J.S Bach or ‘Water Music’ by Handel a try. Music with lyrics can be distracting so choose wisely. If you’re not a fan of classical music then look for something with a steady bass rhythm of 60 beats/minute.

Wednesday – Connect with Others

Acts of Kindness

List five day-to-day activities you do. Then, next to each activity, write a way you can do the same activity, but with an added element of kindness. For example, “Floss & brush teeth” might get transformed into “Think of five things I’m grateful for while flossing and brushing.” This is an excellent exercise to think of ways to incorporate kindness (for others and yourself) into your daily routine.

Thursday – Enjoyment

Feathered Friends

Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep. Studies show that connecting with the natural world is good for our mental health and wellbeing. Gift yourself an hour of tranquility, grab a cuppa and sit somewhere comfortable to watch those robins, sparrows and starlings as they search for winter food.

Friday – Step Back

Thinking about things

It can be really stressful to feel as though you are constantly having to react to new situation or events, without a chance to process how you really feel about them. It sounds simple, but taking some time to think can help you to feel more in control again. Lots of people find that it helps to find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Others fine listening to ambient classical music can help focus their thoughts too.

Monday – Body Care

Healthy Sleep Schedule

It is important for our mental health and productivity that we all establish healthy regular sleeping patterns. Why not try out Sleep Cycle, an android and IOS app which tracks and analyses your sleep by tracking your breathing and wakes you up at the perfect time, feeling well rested. It also allows you to track your sleep quality over time in order for you to work out how to improve it, i.e. try turning off your phone an hour before sleep for a week and see if there is an improvement. 
 

Tuesday – Achievement

The Zeigarnik Effect

The Zeigarnik Effect might help you.

According to the Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, an activity that has been interrupted, or is incomplete, is more easily recalled. Her theory states that not finishing a task causes mental tension, which keeps the task active in our memory. Why not try starting your homework straight after the lesson when it was set and get the ball rolling immediately? You only need to work on it for a few minutes but that should make it harder to forget that it exists. 

Wednesday – Connect with Others

Virtual Lunch

It’s important to keep connected!
If you are feeling like you want a chat or missing social events? Why not get together over virtual lunch or a cuppa with a friend from college, catch up with an old school friend or a check in with a relative. Sometimes you have to make the first move. Go on, do it today!
P.S keep your eyes peeled for some virtual events hosted by us..launching soon.

Thursday – Enjoyment

Happy Feet

Pop in your ear pods and get moving to your favourite tracks to beat lockdown fever.  Dancing releases more feel-good endorphins than any other exercise. It releases negative emotions and is uncomplicated happiness. It encourages creativity and self-expression.

Friday – Step Back

Your Future Self

We are living through extraordinary times that are impacting on us in so many ways, both good and bad.

Write a letter to your future self about your experiences of lockdown. 

You can tell yourself how you are feeling, your hopes and fears, what changes it has made to your life and future plans, how it is affecting your family and friends, what new things have you tried, how you fill your days, what you miss and what you don’t etc. The list is endless.  Putting it all down can help you reflect on your experiences and put them into perspective.

Today is the last day of teaching today before the half term holidays. We hope you all have a restful week, this has been a really difficult time and we are extremely proud of all our students for their hard work and resilience. BACES will continue again over on our Instagram page on Monday 22 February. 

Congratulations to:

Joe Armitage, Chloe Ahuchogu, Marlon Austin, Zainab Bhamji, Lydia Boyle Erin Bridgewater, Finlay Cook, Caitlin Darby, Hoa Duong, Madeline Flaherty, Hannah Fogg, Scott Henderson, Klaudia Losiakowska, Francesca McBride, Ifunanya Molokwu, Ben Nelson, Harriet Ostrowski Jones, Madeleine Partland, Teresa Pretismuir, Hale Salman, Evelyn Surman, William Topham, Rachel Williams and Anthony Zhao.

This year, 24 students from Greenhead College, Huddersfield are celebrating as they receive offers to study at the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Universities to read a range of disciplines including Medicine, German, Mathematics, Computer Science, Philosophy, Law, English, History, Natural Sciences and Biochemistry.

Greenhead College is a highly sought after and oversubscribed Sixth Form College , with students travelling to Huddersfield from areas including Halifax, Bradford, Wakefield, Barnsley and Oldham to receive the first class education and support the college offers.

It consistently sends an impressively high number of students to these top universities and this year is no exception.

Richard Pember, Oxbridge Co-ordinator at Greenhead College said:

“This is an impressive achievement from our students, especially considering the huge disruption to their studies that the past twelve months has presented. Nationally, 1 in 7 students who apply to Oxbridge are successful in gaining an offer; roughly 1 in 3 of Greenhead students have made the grade this year. “

The continued Oxbridge success comes from a comprehensive support programme comprising of masterclasses, interview workshops, presentations by admissions tutors, residential visits, practice admissions tests and most of all, hard-working, dedicated students.
Despite this years’ limitations due to the Coronavirus, applicants were still able to take advantage of dedicated webinars and presentations delivered by staff at Oxford and Cambridge, virtual open days, virtual interview workshops and mock interview sessions and face-to-face support by their allocated Oxbridge Tutor.

The successful applicants came to Greenhead College from a range of schools including Holmfirth High, Colne Valley High, King James, Shelley College, Saddleworth High, Kettlethorpe School, Appleton Academy and more.

Evelyn Surman, who came to Greenhead College from King James School and has been offered a place at Cambridge University to study Human, Social and Political Sciences commented:

“When I first decided to apply to Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Cambridge, I was extremely daunted by the prospect of the admissions process. Composed of multiple interviews, an admissions assessment, and extra essays on top of the UCAS application, the workload seemed like an impossible task to undertake whilst studying for A-Levels. However, my Oxbridge tutor was fantastic in supporting me throughout and helped me every step of the way.

The news that I had received an offer from Cambridge came as a complete shock and it still feels surreal now! A year ago I’d never have believed I would apply, let alone secure a place! I am so grateful for all the support from staff and students at Greenhead who encouraged me to apply. “

Zainab Bhamji, who came to Greenhead from Heckmondwike Grammar and has been offered a place to study Medicine at Oxford University said:

“I’m very grateful for the support I have received during the application process from Greenhead College, and I’m really excited about the offer I have received to study Medicine, from St Anne’s College at Oxford!”

Hoa Duong came to study at Greenhead College from Bradford Academy, and has been accepted onto the Computer Science and Philosophy course at Oxford University. Commenting on his achievement he said:

“I chose to study at Greenhead College because I wanted to be surrounded by people wanting to harness their full academic potential. Even though the subject I wish to pursue at Oxford (Computer Science and Philosophy) is very niche, I felt motivated and supported I throughout the application process, and the success of the Oxbridge programme simply mirrors the ethos of the College – to maximise the chances of being successful in whatever discipline you choose.”

Simon Lett, Principal at Greenhead College said:

“We are thrilled to hear that once again Greenhead College has obtained an outstanding level of success for offers to attend either Oxford or Cambridge University. Many congratulations to all our applicants who I am sure will go on to achieve success in their future careers.”

Monday – Body Care

Restorative Bird Song

Winding down and feeling relaxed can help with our focus, attention and readiness to learn, so if you are finding it hard to concentrate “scientists at the University of Surrey have been studying the “restorative benefits of birdsong”. “They discovered that, of all the natural sounds, bird songs and calls were those most often cited as helping people recover from stress and allowing them to restore and refocus their attention”. 

Link to the Restorative Bird Song

Tuesday – Achievement

The Pomodoro Technique

Wednesday – Connect with Others

MoodMaster ‘Understanding Panic’

MoodMaster is back!

Our third course ‘Understanding Panic’ will being w/c 22 February.
Sessions include:
Week 1 Panic attacks
Week 2 Confronting phobias
Week 3 Getting your thinking straight
Week 4 Breathing and relaxation

Contact moodmaster@greenhead.ac.uk to sign up!

Thursday – Enjoyment

Dust down your Instrument

Got an instrument gathering dust in a corner? Used to have lessons or play in a group? Why not use some ‘lockdown time’ to dust down your instrument and have a go at playing again. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube and it’s a great way to relieve stress too! 
Did you know we are currently holding a music competition? Write your own piece of music for a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher! Good luck! 

Link to Music Competition

Friday – Step Back

Self-esteem Journal

Tend to focus on what went wrong rather than what went OK? Glass half empty rather than half full? This journal template helps you to think through your day and focus on the positives. It’s often surprising what went well when you stop and think.

Link to journal template