Dear student, welcome to a prosperous 2025! As we embrace the opportunities and challenges this year brings, let’s take a moment to reflect on the state of our minds. You might be wondering if therapy is for you. The truth is, nearly everyone can benefit from it; depending on their experiences and upbringing. Therapy isn’t just for those dealing with severe mental health issues. It’s a powerful tool for anyone seeking emotional well-being and ‘soul health.’ Consider these:
- Do you overreact to minor issues?
- Are you constantly anxious or pressured to perform and be praised?
- Do you find yourself letting others walk all over you because you fear losing them?
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Our caregivers were the first role models we encountered, and our interactions with them shaped our minds. Yet, too many students carry unresolved pain and emotional baggage. Too often, students are told to ‘focus on good grades’ while they silently battle hurts, traumas, and distorted perspectives. However, hurting people hurt others, and broken individuals can not truly lift those around them. This is why it’s heartbreaking to see young people engage in misguided romantic relationships; projecting their inner pain onto their partners.
Healing is both a process and a lifestyle. Throughout life, we experience more pain than we often acknowledge. However, many students are unaware of how to reflect on these experiences and their impact. A reflective lifestyle involves examining events, their effects, and the meaning we attach to them. Surprisingly, even positive opportunities can leave emotional or mental strain. Stress can arise from a combination of life events, such as family dynamics and academic demands. Take a moment to reflect on the following:
- What experiences have shaped your world-view the most?
- How have these experiences helped or hindered you?
- In what ways has your upbringing influenced who you are today?
If you are a student leader, consider these additional questions:
- What is your predominant leadership style?
- Which leaders have influenced you the most?
- What are your thoughts on setting boundaries?
- How do you view the people you lead—tools, team mates, or vanity metrics?
Answering these questions truthfully may be uncomfortable. You might feel anger, sadness, or dissatisfaction. But remember, healing begins when you face and expose the pain. Reflect, pray, cry, journal your thoughts. As you peel back the layers of your experiences, you may realise the need to seek support. Talk to trusted counsellors and mentors. Think through different seasons of your life and identify recurring challenges. Set healthy boundaries, cultivate resilience (not just a ‘thick skin’), and create actionable steps for growth.
Many student leaders and school officials unknowingly project their unresolved traumas onto others. It doesn’t have to be that way! By prioritising emotional and mental well-being, we can transform our educational spaces into healthier, more supportive communities. It’s time to take charge of your emotional well-being. Reflect deeply, seek help when needed, and take intentional steps toward healing. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By choosing to prioritise soul health, you also inspire those around you to do the same.
__________________ Gbemisola Oluwasina is also known as the Elegant Inker. She is a content solution provider—everything from strategy, writing, editing, to audit! She has helped 10+ brands, authors and writers to accelerate their visibility, influence and profit. Also, her poems and articles have been published. Gbemisola is blessed with a voice that enriches what she says. She has honoured 20+ virtual speaking invitations since 2020. These engagements covered topics like: writing, content marketing, social media positioning, public speaking, (self) leadership, the Christian faith and albinism. She looks forward to more of these, as well as to features in the media and TED(x). Gbemisola is a recent graduate of International Relations at Covenant University who has occupied different leadership offices. She has received numerous certificates and awards. She is an ardent believer that individuals are responsible for the achievement of organisational and national goals. She loves Abba. She likes to learn other languages and make beaded articles. Email: gbemisolaoluwasina@gmail.com YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn: Gbemisola Oluwasina Telegram channel, Instagram and Facebook pages: Elegant Inker.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.