This year I am in grade 11. In grade 8,9,10 school was very different. It feels like a whole different world now in grade 11. It’s like the turning point. Everything matters now, what I do after high school matters now. I’m very overwhelmed . Thinking about the future, as well as trying to do good in my classes I’m in now. Did you know there is a study that shows kids in school now have the same stress levels as patients in psych wards in 1867. I’ve been exploring ways to cope with the stress and I will share them here.
Making lists helps me stay organized and on task. It plays a huge part in my school homework schedule. Planning ahead makes you feel less worried about the future and more prepared. If you go to school know your resources. The councillers, teachers and principals are all there for you. Also your parents and friends. The most important thing is no matter how stressful life gets, do one thing a day you love. Even something small, for me it is taking me dog for a walk, or having one of my favourite foods. Life can be very stressful but it is important to know you are not alone. Izabella S
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Shahi, Dulay, Legha, Saprai; the surnames which have woven into the creation of me as a human being. From profoundly within, one twisted yet graceful branch has rooted from thousands of years back. One reflects upon history and uncovers an ever so gradual evolution which has lead mankind to its present state. Janeva, derived from Janav of Sanskrit origin, is a name of significance to my ethnic community. Growing up in Richmond, British Columbia, I struggled to understand what made me stand out among my peers. I identified as a “person,” just as I thought everyone was. Years later, the concept which I, well after my fellow peers, came to realize was race. I was shocked to discover that the colour of one’s skin can make or break them, both mentally and physically. As a third generation Indo-Canadian, race and ethnicity play key roles in my identity, which further differentiate me from my peers. I grew up just as everyone else did in my community, though my differences sparked me to seek the true meaning of my heritage, which paved the path to who I am today. Last year, I travelled to northern India where I completed a volunteer based internship as an elective student at Christian Medical College in Punjab. The research portion of my internship allowed me to focus on my chosen subject of inquiry, which dealt with the effect of air pollution on respiratory diseases in India, such as typhoid and tuberculosis, in comparison with cases of similar grades of respiratory diseases in Canada. While in the department, I designated my time to practical work, case studies, medical research, and patient care. This experience provided me with the opportunity to pursue my career field of interest while gaining practical experience, as an honorary medical student, all while giving back to my ancestral community. My family is quite widely spread across the globe; this has been a barrier to my familial relationships, however, there is one family member in particular who has always been there to support me. When I think of family, Jarnel, my maternal uncle, comes to mind. He has consistently been physically present and has made the largest emotional impact on my life, among all others. Jarnel, a compassionate and intuitive man, was born with epilepsy, and grew up mentally challenged. The progression of his condition has caused him to develop difficulties with verbal communication and physical movement, though his cognitive abilities are yet far from diminishing. Jarnel comprehends his surroundings and communicates with modified language: a blend of basic English and Punjabi, as well as sign language. At moments of joy, he has embraced his smile, and at times of sorrow, he has empathized by example. Jarnel Singh Dulay is my role model; my influence to make a change in our vast world. The person I had grown to be and the qualities that I had developed sparked a moment of illumination for myself, one which would determine my future. Halfway through my internship at Christian Medical College and Hospital, I met Golu, a four year old boy who had been admitted to the pediatric ward ward with high fever, a hemoglobin level of 1, and signs of anemia. Golu was in the lab being prepped for his blood sampling test to determine his bone marrow levels. He was accompanied by his illiterate mother, along with his infant brother, to whom he was extremely attached. Upon being separated from his family prior to the procedure, Golu induced a state of panic. I attempted to hush the child, then rock him side to side, and finally sing. Sing. In a desperate attempt to calm and comfort the child, I pulled out my cell phone and played “The Wheels On The Bus,” a childhood favourite, positioning the device towards him. I began singing the song and mimicking the actions of the characters; gradually, the child deepened his breaths, and his cries became soft. His face began to lift, and he slowly grinned. The doctors laughed; mimicking their actions was Golu. He smiled back at me and began to laugh harder. I volunteered my time to make a greater impact on children like Golu, because I KNOW him. My uncle, who spent the entirety of his childhood in a hospital, motivated me to give back to my ancestral community and make a difference in the lives of patients undergoing health challenges. To be there for children the same way he has always been for me. A legacy.
The surnames which crafted the very me, have my blood and body. Migration, colonization, partition, immigration. My history lies in thy history. My heritage is sought to be from generations before me who devoted their lives to a better day. Janeva S I've been in Canada for 9 month and I only have 2 and a half months left to go. Right now, I am having the hardest time of my life. That is the Cultural Difference. This is stressing me out everyday. One day, I had to video chat with my teacher in Japan about how I was doing in Canada. At that time, my hair was brown. I thought it was okay to dye my hair in Canada, but I guess it wasn't. When my teacher saw my hair, she got mad and told me to cut my hair as soon as possible. I couldn't believe it. I'm in a place where dying the hair is allowed and still, I can't dye my hair? Because I'm from a school that doesn't allow dying? That is crazy!! I bet Japan is the strictest country in the world. They think dying your hair is a bad thing. My teacher told me that it is not good for the school image. Wow, they care about the school and not the students? I just don't want to go back. I never thought about cultural differences affecting my life this much. I think it's because I'm not a typical Japanese. I used to live in the United States for 4 years when I was young and the life in the US has changed me a lot. When I arrived in Canada, I felt like coming back to home. I thought Canada was my home country. My family, friends, I was having a fantastic time with them and suddenly, because of my hair colour, back to reality. I want to enjoy the rest of my time in canada but because of this, I'm stressed everyday and having a tough time. Ryunosuke M
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