1. What’s your game plan? Becoming proactive students

2. Group Expectations Handle all subject matters with the maturity of a young adult. Respect others and the things they say. Confidentiality does not apply to group settings. Counselors are available any time to talk about issues, however, sharing personal experiences in a group setting is not appropriate. Please keep discussion focused on the given vignette and not your personal story.

3. What’s your game plan? Vignette - description of a typical high school student Small group discussion questions Share with the larger group Statistics Individual written response

5. Group Discussion What difficulty is he facing? What should he do? Why will it be hard for him to do this?

6. What are the risks? A recent study of 7000 people found that people who cheat in high school tend to be more dishonest later in life [1]. Cheating reinforces the belief that “the ends justify the means.” Colleges are looking for the opposite: intrinsically motivated learners. When caught students are dropped from the class with “F” grade and a “U” in citizenship

7. Why do students cheat? What is cheating? Reminder: All students are expected to uphold the academic integrity agreement which they signed and returned at registration.

8. Individual Response Please take a moment and write down your own responses to the questions on the handout What difficulty is he facing? Do any of the statistics stand out to you? Which one(s)? What should he do? What would make it hard for him to do that?

10. Group Discussion What difficulty is she facing? What should she do? Why will it be hard for her to do this?

11. Stress Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances Stress evokes a “Fight or Flight” response Physical symptoms include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate

12. Short Term Effects of Stress Difficulty in concentration Sleeplessness Loss of appetite Short tempered Anxiety Dry mouth Head, back, and neck pains Flare up of diseases like: eczema, psoriasis, arthritis

13. Long Term Effects of Stress Mood swings Chronic head ache Memory disturbances Weight loss Bowel disease (IBS and Crohns) Exacerbation of allergies and asthma

14. Depression 30% of teens with depression will develop a substance abuse problem Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors Depression puts teens at higher risk for physical illness Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, the third leading cause of death among teenagers

15. Individual Response Please take a moment and write down your own responses to the questions on the handout What difficulty is she facing? Do any of the statistics stand out to you? Which one(s)? What should she do? What would make it hard for her to do that?

17. Group Discussion What difficulty is he facing? What should he do? Why will it be hard for him to do this?

18. What are the risks? Teens who begin drinking at age 15 are 5 times more likely to abuse alcohol than those who wait until age 21. Drinking during teenage years can cause permanent brain damage hurting memory, learning, verbal skills, and can cause depression. Underage drinking is heavily linked to injury and risky behavior.

19. Drunk drivers aged 16 to 20 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as drinking drivers who are 21 or older. A government study published in 2007 shows a relationship between binge drinking and grades. Approximately two- thirds of students with “mostly A’s” are non-drinkers, while nearly half of the students with “mostly D’s and F’s” report binge drinking.

20. What are the risks? Drugs of any kind can decrease a teen’s ability to pay attention Even a little ecstasy can cause permanent brain damage. Long-term use can lead to increased depression, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders. Marijuana increases risk of lung cancer Marijuana use leads to decreased testosterone in men and increased testosterone in women. The younger a person is when they begin using drugs the more likely they are to develop a substance abuse problem

21. What are the risks? Researchers have found that when teens become addicted they lose friends, develop health problems, start to fail in school, experience memory loss, lose motivation, and alienate their family and friends with their negative behaviors and often unpredictable emotional swings

22. Individual Response Please take a moment and write down your own responses to the questions on the handout What difficulty is he facing? Do any of the statistics stand out to you? Which one(s)? What should he do? What would make it hard for him to do that?

24. Group Discussion What difficulty is she facing? What should she do? Why will it be hard for her to do this?

25. What are the risks? A recent study of girls ages 14-19 found that 24% of them had an STD. 19% infection rate for girls who had only 1 sexual partner, 38% rate for those with several

26. What are the risks? A recent study of girls ages 14-19 found that 24% of them had an STD. 19% infection rate for girls who had only 1 sexual partner, 38% rate for those with several That’s 1 out of 4 !

27. What are the risks? A recent study of girls ages 14-19 found that 24% of them had an STD. 19% infection rate for girls who had only 1 sexual partner, 38% rate for those with several 80% of infections have no symptoms and remain undetected

28. What are the risks? A recent study of girls ages 14-19 found that 24% of them had an STD. 19% infection rate for girls who had only 1 sexual partner, 38% rate for those with several 80% of infections have no symptoms and remain undetected

29. What are the risks? 50% of all new STD cases happen to young adults ages 15-24 There are no cures for Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Hepatitis B, and HIV Beyond physical health, what about any emotional trauma that can occur?

30. Individual Response Please take a moment and write down your own responses to the questions on the handout What difficulty is she facing? Do any of the statistics stand out to you? Which one(s)? What should she do? What would make it hard for her to do that?

31. Coping Skills Coping skills are techniques we use to deal with the difficult situations we face in life. What effective coping skills do you use?

32. Coping Skills Exercise and eat regularly Build a network of friends who support you Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress

33. Coping Skills Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques) Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco Break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks Decrease negative self talk Accept your best effort rather than demanding perfection from yourself

34. What’s your game plan? What is one new healthy coping skill you will commit to using this year? Available resources campus Counselor Safe School Counselor Nurse Counseling services