This blog was written by Next Stop Canada Staff Member Kasthuri Jeyaraj.
Change can be hard, especially at a young age when you don’t quite understand why it is happening. For a youth moving to a new country, change comes with a new environment, school, friends and much more. The thought of picking up everything, moving to a new place and having to start all over again can be terrifying. With that in mind, here are a few tips that can help you adapt to the process of change:
1. Have a Positive Attitude
Having a positive attitude is key. Whether we like it or not, change is bound to occur in our lives. The best thing to do is to look at all the good that will come from it and the benefits that can occur from change. This will help you to have something to look forward to.
2. Prepare for What's Ahead
When you do research you prepare yourself to understand what’s ahead. You can look into factors such as schools, education systems and cultural norms. With this information, you are able to begin working on how to adapt to such changes ahead of time. Research also helps you mentally prepare for the reality that is about to happen.
3. Stay in Touch
Just because you’re moving doesn’t mean that it’s goodbye. Find a way to stay connected with the people that know you best. This way, during your transition you are able to have consistency in your life while continuing to adapt to new changes. It will make the process much easier.
Personally, I used to dread change, solely because I found it scary. Overtime, I realized that change is not that scary and rather, that it is an opportunity for something new. Being open to new things in your life opens doors to experiences, learning opportunities and personal growth. Once I came to this realization, I was able to embrace change much better. I can now happily say that I have learned and grown a lot in my life due to shifting my attitude towards change. Additionally, I did this by preparing myself to accept what’s ahead by researching about the change ahead of time. I learned to understand that there are many other things in my life that are consistent. Overall, change doesn’t have to be hard or scary as long as we are able to understand how to adapt to it.