Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Is it just Teenage Angst? 
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Michelle Lee (24A01A) and Ramesh Eniya (24S03O, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

“How do we differentiate between normal teenage angst and negative feelings and stress that is not normal?”

Angsty Andy

Dear Angsty Andy, thank you for your question—it can be difficult to differentiate between normal teenage angst and abnormal or excessive negative feelings and stress. In order to do so, we should think about the behaviour, emotions and circumstances of the teenager in particular.

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Is it just Teenage Angst? “ →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Integrating Into A Class With Existing Friend Groups
Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Alena Siaw (24S03O) and Elise Chua (24S03F, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

“I feel like the other people in my class all have existing friend groups and I’m not sure how to bond with them.”

Worrisome Wally

Dear Worrisome Wally, 

Seeing your classmates establish close-knit friendships whilst feeling left out amongst them can be an intimidating and challenging experience, especially in JC where a strong support system is crucial. The fear of feeling excluded or not fitting in is natural, but it’s important to remember that integration is possible with some effort and understanding! 

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Integrating Into A Class With Existing Friend Groups” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, Commentary, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Coping or Quitting?
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Arissa Binte Kamaruzaman (24A01A) and Kimberly Chong Rui En (24S06Q, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

How do we cope with the times we just want to give it all up and “quit”? What can we do?

Surrendering Sally

Dear Surrendering Sally,

At certain junctures in our lives, the weight of commitments, relationships, and academics on our shoulders leave us on shaky footing. A singular, dreadful question uproots our facade of stability: should we give up? 

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Coping or Quitting?” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Trying in the Face of Failure
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Glenda Hua (24A01C) and Ki’En Lim (24S06J, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

“How do you start trying and putting in effort when you have not been trying, because of the fear that when you do try, you will fail and not be able to achieve your goal successfully?”

Fearful Felicity

Dear Fearful Felicity,

Failure is one of the most widespread fears that can follow one in all of one’s ventures during all stages of life. As a student, you are afraid of failing your exams and disappointing your parents. As an adult, you are afraid of failing at your job and losing out on that promotion. This symptom is so commonly experienced that it has been coined a medical term, “atychiphobia”. It seems that whatever you do, there is always that possibility of not being able to succeed that looms over your shoulder and threatens to pull the carpet of self-assurance from under your feet. 

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Trying in the Face of Failure” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Stopping Addictive Patterns of Behaviour
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Michelle Lee (24A01A) and Halyn Han (24A01A, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

“How do we stop addictive patterns of behaviour?”

Addicted Annie

Dear Addicted Annie, 

Thank you for your question. Perhaps you are struggling with managing addictive behaviour, or know a friend who is; we understand it can be very frustrating and exhausting, either way. 

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Stopping Addictive Patterns of Behaviour” →