The start of a new school year, in a new grade, or even a new school, can be quite challenging and even intimidating.
You can make your first day, or week, easier with a bit of extra effort, planning, and advice from someone whose been through it before.
If there’s one person who is regularly exposed to new challenges and knows how to plan for the unknown, it’s the award-winning South African orator, speaker, writer, model, and actress, Hildegard Havenga.
This formidable fifteen-year-old from Pretoria is embarking on her Grade 10 year at Afrikaans Hoër Meisies, and aside from establishing herself as a social media influencer, she has a year full of speeches, debates, and performances waiting for her.
Because she is passionate about being a voice for young people and uplifting them wherever she can, she gladly shares some valuable tips to make the first day of the new school year a bit easier.
According to her, it’s crucial to embrace your new circumstances with positive enthusiasm.
“See every year as a new opportunity to make your mark. Make it exciting for yourself by talking about all the new opportunities, friendships, and activities that await you,” she says. “Be prepared, and make sure everything is well-organised ahead of time. I also like to start with a neat room and desk. Say goodbye to the holidays by organising a social day just before school starts – it really helps.”
Starting at a brand-new school…
“Don’t rush into new friendships or groups too quickly – it may sound strange, but with the stress of making new friends, it’s easy to grab onto the first people who talk to you. But that might not be the right crowd for you. Try not to immediately compare the new with the old – things will be different but give it a chance. Sign up for new activities immediately and do as much as possible! Prepare yourself for stress – the unknown can be a bit frightening, but things like exercise and me-time can help with the transition.”
Feeling strange and completely out of place…
“The most important thing is your mindset… maybe those nerves are actually excitement and nothing else. If you’re positive about the unfamiliarity, you give yourself an immediate chance for growth and discovery. Start right away and find someone to talk to. Push yourself to do new things – don’t just stick to your old friends or things you know. If you step out of your comfort zone, you might just surprise yourself!”
Having sleepless nights about strict teachers and bullies…
“Move closer to the strict teacher or bully right away and start with a sincere smile. After all, they’re only human and might feel just as insecure as you. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment to try to understand the situation better. Also, try to understand why you’re intimidated by them so that you know what to work on. Focus on your goals and the positives, and don’t let other people’s behaviour get you down.”
Wanting to make good first impressions…
“Your secret weapon is a sincere smile. Make eye contact and keep your head up. Show genuine interest in people by listening carefully, not just listening to respond. When you genuinely care about others, you’re already establishing a positive connection. Follow up later on what you talked about. And just be yourself, don’t try to imitate someone else – only you can be you.”
Looking for an action plan for a successful year…
“Dream about the things that give you butterflies in your stomach. About the things you visualise in your head. Then break your dream down into smaller pieces that are more specific to the quarter or month you find yourself in. Write it down somewhere you can see it and then make a list of things you need to do to get closer to your short-term goals. Decide what is the most important to start with and what or who you need to help you with this. Talk to your parents or friends about this plan; it’s so important to feel that you have support. And then… when you reach certain goals, celebrate! Just remember, some dreams take longer to achieve than others. Sometimes there are disappointments on your path, but don’t ever give up.”
From a young age, Hildegard knew that her passion lies in entertaining and uplifting, and with her natural charisma, witty sense of humour, enthusiasm, and incredible work ethic, it didn’t take long for her to start achieving success.
Not only is she a national and category winner at various arts festivals, oratory and talent competitions, and Eisteddfods, but she has also participated in numerous fashion shows and had roles in various stage productions.
She is also affiliated with Steele Model Studios as a model, as well as Brümilda van Rensburg’s drama school, is regularly invited to auditions and has already done advertising work for various brands.
After school, she would like to study in Europe and is currently interested in homeopathy or dietetics, but if she has to stay in the country, Stellenbosch is her first choice.
This talented girl believes that balance and good time management are critical for success and that sufficient sleep, exercise, and me-time are non-negotiable for a healthy life.
Her goal for 2024 is not only to make the most of the time she still has in school but also to change lives.
“I want to empower youngsters and still be the kid my peers can identify with, because after all I am a teenager myself. The plan is to use my voice on different platforms, like radio, TV, and the media, to show teens that they can support each other and that there is hope for the future. Even if I change just one life, it’s worth it, and I’m on the right path. My goal is to make everyone’s journey a bit easier by helping people understand how we think and feel,” she concludes.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hildegardhavenga
Instagram: @hildegard.havenga
TikTok: @hildegard.havenga
