Caitlyn entered high school as a highly capable and very academically inclined student.  Despite her high potential and capability for success, she had been suffering from anxiety and depression, which had a major impact on her ability to focus and concentrate on her school work. As her mother Sharyn recounted, “her perfectionism and pressure on herself” exacerbated the natural stress that comes with completing Year 12.

Sharyn felt that she didn’t know hot to intervene in a manner that would be productive or come across as supportive, and wanted to avoid adding to the workload and stress. After seeing Elevate Education speak at their school, she decided to reach out.

Caitlyn’s coach, Jade began the program with the module on Time Management. Having noticed after the initial diagnostic interview that Caitlyn studied for 6-hours straight per night, it was clear that an intervention was required.

Caitlyn acknowledged that there was a lack of balance in her approach, however the stress and anxiety coloured her perspective in a way that didn’t allow her to recognise the drop in her productivity, even though she studied for long hours.

Jade introduced some refinements to Caitlyn’s study timetable, which allowed her to take productive breaks as well as manager her competing priorities. When combining this with the modules on wellbeing and stress management, Jade was able to show Caitlyn how to use mindfulness techniques and other practical tools to both stay on top of everything, but also manage her perspective so that she could get out of her own way.