AAUU

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, Commentary

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Reducing Excessive Stress
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Pan Haotian (24A01B) and Darren Wong (24S03C, 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.

What should I do if my stress is making it hard for me to eat and sleep? I don’t know how to reduce the stress because it is how I feel and it is hard to change.

Stressed-Out Sebastian

Dear Stressed-Out Sebastian,

“Stress” may be the 1740th most common word in the English language (thank you, Google), but it’s likely the most common word in any Rafflesian’s vocabulary. For many of us, stress is no longer an exception in an otherwise peaceful school term: it’s the new normal. Yet we need to remember that just because something is common doesn’t mean that it’s normal, and behind the commonplace complaint of stress hides entirely unordinary symptoms. 

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Reducing Excessive Stress” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, Commentary, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Dealing with Competitiveness and Academic Insecurity
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Low Jing Kai (24S03H) and Wang Xinxuan (24S06L, 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.

In an environment which is described as a pressure cooker and competitiveness is so ingrained in our culture, how do you stay healthy when there is such a strong feeling of “I might lose out”?

Distressed Darren

Dear Distressed Darren, 

Feeling that we are not doing enough, especially when we feel our peers are performing better than us, is a feeling shared by nearly every student. This feeling can motivate us to work harder and reach greater heights, yet, it can also lead us to become overcome with self-despair and lead to unnecessary stress. This is why we need to know how we can manage this feeling of inadequacy and not let it get the better of us.

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Dealing with Competitiveness and Academic Insecurity” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Gaslighting myself—does it really work?
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Syaura Nashwa (24S03R) and Rachel Toh (24S03I, 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.

“Is it possible to suppress negative thoughts? Does it work?”

Solemn Samantha

Dear Solemn Samantha,

I’ve seen many just like you. Amidst those frolicking, you’re in a place no one can reach—your mind. It’s hard to block out those voices which bring you down. Harder yet, to suppress them. You wonder why you can’t be as carefree as your friends.

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Gaslighting myself—does it really work?” →
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” →