Big Shifts Slides
Big Shifts
Navigating New Spaces & New Faces
What is a "Shift"?
Physical Shifts
- • Moving to a new house
- • Switching to a new school
- • Rearranging your room
Social Shifts
- • Starting a new grade level
- • Joining a new sports team
- • Changing elective classes
The "Tumble" Effect
"When things shift, it's normal to feel like you're tumbling. Stress and anxiety are just your brain's way of trying to keep you safe in a place it doesn't recognize yet."
Fast Heartbeat
Worrying Thoughts
Feeling Tired
The Grounding Anchor
Technique
5
Things you can SEE
4
Things you can TOUCH
3
Things you can HEAR
2
Things you can SMELL
1
Thing you can TASTE
Self-Advocacy
Being your own Champion.
It doesn't mean doing it alone. It means knowing how and when to ask for help when the path feels blocked.
Step 1
Identify the Obstacle
Step 2
Find a Support Person
Step 3
Use Your Words
Scripts for Success
Scenario: Moving Schools
"Excuse me, I'm new here and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the schedule. Could you help me find my next class?"
Scenario: New Class Difficulty
"I'm finding this new topic a bit confusing. Is there a time we can go over this together, or a resource I can read?"
WHO IS IN YOUR CREW?
Teachers
Counselors
Family
Friends
Help is always just one conversation away.
Shift Check
Time to put your tools to use!
Next Steps:
Please complete your Shift Check Exit Ticket. Reflect on your upcoming change and write your own self-advocacy script.
Shift Check Exit Ticket
Shift Check
Navigating Changes & Self-Advocacy
Name:
Date:
1. What's Changing?
Identify one upcoming "shift" in your life (e.g., a new class, a move, or a new club).
2. The Grounding Anchor
Which grounding tool (like the 5-4-3-2-1 technique) will you use when you feel stressed?
3. Your Script
If you felt stuck or confused, who would you ask for help, and what exactly would you say?
Support Person
When would you ask?
The "Help" Script
One word to describe how you feel
after making a plan: