Foods That Boost Your Brain Power

High energy brain power foods are foods that give you energy. These are important because the more energy you have, the better you will feel and the more motivated you’ll be. 

The four main food groups that provide us with sustained energy and brain power include: 

Protein - When we consume protein sources our cognitive function and brain performance raises the levels of another amino acid called tyrosine which promotes the brain to manufacture norepinephrine and dopamine which keep you energised and alert as they promote alertness and activity. 

Protein Source Examples:

• Ret Meats

• Fish 

• Poultry 

• Nuts & Seeds

• Legumes and Beans 

Antioxidants - Evidence has been found that antioxidants (which are compounds found in food sources) play an instrument role in protecting the enzymes, fats and vitamins in the body and brain. Antioxidants protect the body and brain against oxidative stress as they shield the body from the destruction of free radicals. Improving the communication between brain cells and reducing inflammation throughout the body.

Antioxidant Source Examples:

• Berries 

• Pumpkin

• Mangoes

• Apricots

• Carrots

• Spinach 

• Dark Chocolate 

Omega 3 Fats - Studies have shown that the human brain is made up of 60% fat. Consuming foods that contain omega 3 fats such as oily fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds help to build membranes around each cell in the body, including the brain cells which is turn then improve the structure of brain cells called neurons. Sources of Omega 3 fats have also shown to increase blood flow to the brain, boosting our cognition and thinking abilities. 

Omega 3 Fat Source Examples:

• Salmon 

• Tuna 

• Sardines 

• Walnuts 

• Flaxseeds 

• Chia Seeds 

Monounsaturated Fats - A diet that contains monounsaturated fats show to enhance cognitive function and boost our brain power. Monounsaturated fats are found food groups including olive oils, avocados and nuts, these foods provide nutrients that help develop and maintain healthy body cells, plus deliver a range of essentials vitamins and minerals. The human brain contains approximately one hundred billion neurons, so supporting these neurons is essential for healthy brain function. 

Monounsaturated Fat Source Examples 

• Avocados

• Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts  

• Seeds: Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds 

• Olive Oils 

This week try incorporating a range of these different food group sources into your daily diet and see if you notice an impact on your brain’s productivity, innovation and clarity. 

Pathway Opportunities After Completing A Certificate III In Horticulture

Have you ever wondered where a Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716) could take you? 

There are many different avenues you can take post completely this certification:

• Landscape Design – Allows you to design and develop landscapes for specific sites, cultivating flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs.

• Horticulturalist – Conducts research in gardening and landscaping, plant propagation, crop production, plant breeding, genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, and plant physiology.

• Advisory Consultant – focuses on providing expert advice on within the horticultural industry. They may focus on plant nurseries, trees, turf, soils, home gardens.

• Irrigation Service Technician – Specialise in the design and installation of irrigation systems. They inspect, audit, adjust and repair the systems to ensure they perform at maximum efficiency and conserve water.

• Plant Pathologist – provide expert advice on plant health and can diagnose for diseases. 

• Horticultural Technician – plant and care for ground cover and trees in parks, on playgrounds, along public highways, and in other areas.

• Nursery Worker – Works outdoors or in a greenhouse. Their primary responsibility to plant, grow, water, transplant, prune, and generally care for plants, shrubs, and trees.

• Home Gardener – has the responsibility of looking after residential gardens. They monitor the health of all plants and greenspaces, water and feed plants where needed. They are also equipped with the skills to trim trees and shrubs, fertilize and mowing lawns, weed gardens beds. 

Ready to take the next step and start your Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716)? 

Speak with one of our career consultations today at Stirling Institute of Australia – info@sia.edu.au or call us on 1300 790 265.

How To Prepare For A Successful Year Of Studying

One of the most effective ways to study is by getting organising ahead of time. In this article we will step you through some of the key areas to prepare for your study year. 

Choose a Study Space – Choose a space in your house to set up a study area. When choosing a space consider the natural light and the accessibility to open a window. Having a space that offer optimal light and fresh air is recommended. 

Organise Your Desk – Once you have chosen the space in which you are going to study, set it up with some paper, pens and a jug of water. Being organised ahead of time with the resources you require will ensure you have successful study sessions. 

Organise Your Time – Work out which days you will be attending classes and then what additional time you will set aside for at home study sessions. Research from the BBC has indicated that the human brain can concentrate for no longer than 90 minutes before it needs a 15-minute break. Therefore, we recommend that you schedule your study in 90-minute block and then enjoy a 15-minute break. During this break, it is important that you are stepping out of the room you are studying in and either go for a short walk to stretch your legs or enjoy a nutrient-dense snack. 

Write important due dates into your calendar – Get organised by scheduling into your calendar all your due dates for assignments, tests and exams. This will assist you to keeping on track and knowing when deadlines are approaching. 

Weekly Study Plan – Each week consider writing yourself a weekly study plan on a Sunday, within this plan work out what areas of your course you are going to focus on and what assignments you will work on completing. Breaking this down into different study blocks during the week ensure that you will achieve you goals and stay on track.  

It should also be noted that it is important that you are balancing your study out with exercise, community sport, sleep and a healthy balanced diet. 

4 Great Online Home Workouts

Keeping fit and active every-day is essential not only for our physical health but our mental health to. Experts suggest 30 minutes of exercise, at least five days a week, can make a big difference to our mental health and productivity levels in work and study (Victorian Government 2021). 

One of the most common barriers to people’s lack physical activity in their daily life is, time. The great news, however, is that today there are many free online home workouts available, that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. Check out a range of high and low intensity workout options that you can enjoy. 

Yoga with Adrien

Adriene Mishler hosts the popular YouTube channel, Yoga with Adrien each week she publishes free Yoga Videos and has a library of over 500 free videos which you can choose from. 

Move with Nicole 

Nicole is a Barre, Pilates & Fitness Instructor from Sydney Australia and hosts the Move with Nicole YouTube channel. Which offers a range of free fitness, Pilates and barre classes that will get your blood pumping and your body moving. 

Sam Wood TV 

Sam Wood’s 28 Day Program is Australia’s Number #1 online fitness and nutrition program. On Sam Wood TV you will find a range of fitness classes and inspiring videos that will support you in boosting your mental clarity and increase your fitness levels. 

Breathe & Flow 

Breathe & Flow offer a range of high-quality movement classes, breathwork and guided meditations to support you in unwinding and finding a greater sense of clarity in your everyday. 

We recommend choose around 2-3 high intensity workouts each week and balancing this with 2-3 low intensity workouts. By incorporating a range of high and low intensity classes into your week it ensures that you give your body time to recover, restore and realign. 

Three Fruits And Vegetables To Plant At Home This Summer

With all this extra time we have suddenly experienced at home this year, creating a fruit/veggie garden has never been more popular.

As we approach the warmer months, we need to look at what fruits and vegetables will thrive best in your garden over the summer. 

Here’s a list of some of our favourites that you might find are easier than you think to grow.

Chillies 

Heat is crucial for chillies to grow in your garden. They grow best when there is a hot, dry sun shining down on them each and every day for a long periods of time. Red or green, you name it, they are delicious home-grown over the summer period.  

Capsicums 

Another member of the solanaceae family, capsicums, just like chillies, are ideally best grown in the summertime. It’s best to pick your capsicum once the soil is over an estimated 20 degrees, and it’s up to you whether you pick them green, yellow or red. The longer you wait, the sweeter they get. 

Berries

Berries can thrive in even the smallest of places. If you plant your berry bush beside your campsicum, they will blossom almost anywhere, needing only the smallest amount of space. Some of the crowd-pleasing favorites during this busy time are strawberries and blueberries. 

The easiest part of planting your berries is, as you might have guessed, actually planting them. During the summer months, your berries will need a little more maintenance than you might have anticipated, and will need regular watering to survive the hotter days.

It’s important to make sure that once they have developed and are growing well, you are regularly picking the fruit. This is an important process as it encourages the plants regrowth and continual blossom.

If being outside with nature has been something you’ve enjoyed throughout this year, have you thought about a career in horticulture recently? Last month we wrote an article directed at all future students, starting what exact pathways may lead out studying to become a horticulture. 

Click here to read more about the career pathways horticulture has to offer.

How To Thrive During This Christmas Season

It’s without question that 2020 has thrown us in all sorts of directions. One thing we know for sure, is we all are in great need of a well deserved break over the Christmas season. 

This upcoming Christmas period is the perfect time to take a step back from your desk, close your emails and all work-related tabs, pull out your favorite book and take some time to put your feet up and reset your mind for the year. 

If you’re someone who is constantly on the go throughout the week you may be someone who falls under the bracket of feeling guilty for not working hard. Trust us - this is common and we’ve all been there. 

However, if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that stopping to reset is sometimes the best thing we need to regain focus and thrive in all aspects of our lives. Try to train your mindset into knowing that taking a step back is necessary for your growth and development. You cannot thrive in any aspects of your life if you’re burnt out and overwhelmed with all things around you. 

To help you stay on track and thrive throughout the Christmas period is to allow yourself to set boundaries. This may be in all aspects of your life, including taking on too many extra shifts at work or filling up your social calendar to see your friends and family. Set boundaries with yourself, your non-negotiables; things that you need to achieve or cross off your list daily to succeed. 

Allowing yourself the time you need to stop and breathe will not only help you thrive during your break, but also reset your mind ready to go back into work/school. It will most likely reset your mind enough to excite you to want to go back to work. 

Lastly and most importantly is make sure you’re having fun. You worked hard over the last 12 months, you deserve to have some ‘you’ time with your loved ones. Spend your free time with those who make you happy and who encourage you to be the best version of yourself. This will enable you to grow and thrive during the festive season. 

From all of us here at Stirling Institute, have a wonderful Christmas season and a very happy New Year.

10 Simple Tips To Unlock Your True Potential

Unlocking your true potential is something that takes time and focused energy. It isn’t something that can develop overnight, so take the time to really think about what you want out of life and how you’re going to achieve it and get there. 

Here are 10 of our tips to help get you started.

1.     Be ready and open to growth

Unlocking your full potential won't be easy. It will push and pull you in all sorts of directions, so you’ll need to ensure your head and heart are prepared to grow and change.

2.     Set honest short and long term goals

Setting yourself an ‘end goal’ is so important as it gives you something to work towards. It’s also super important to set yourself small achievable goals along the way to keep yourself accountable and motivated. 

3.     Let go of any negative thoughts towards yourself & and other people 

This is your race. Get into your own groove without the negativity in your life holding you back. Remember, that also includes your own negativity.

4.     Surround yourself with likeminded people. 

You are the best version of yourself when you're surrounded by like minded and supportive people. Find your group and work with them, not against them, to achieve your goals. 

5.     Make learning a lifelong endeavor. 

This may mean seeking out mentors, Facebook groups, or new courses - whatever it takes for you to continuously keep growing. Go out there and find it. 

6.     Treat failure as a part of success. 

Sometimes, failure is inevitable. That doesn’t need to be the reason to quit. Treat it as a challenge, one that you have just overcome to get closer to your end goal.

7.     Know what your priorities are.

Realising your full potential requires hard work and focus. Creating honest priorities in your life is so important. 

8.     Create a routine/daily schedule 

Think about what you want to achieve today. You need to manage your time well to be able to achieve everything you want within the day/week. Replace unnecessary habits like watching Netflix for three hours at breakfast to something more productive. 

9.     Enjoy even what may look like a small part of your day. 

Look out for the small wins within your day. Make a point of seeing something good in everyday and you will notice changes in how you view your days. 

10.   Lastly, (and arguably, most importantly) GO FOR IT.

If you have the right mindset and dedication, anything you set your mind towards is possible. Always give it your best and one day, before you know it, you’ll achieve what it was that you were working so hard towards.

The Different Job Opportunities You Can Take As A Horticulturist

Horticulture is the science, study and business of growing fruits, vegetables and plants. If you’re studying horticulture, there are so many different job opportunities for you to explore. 

LANDSCAPING 

As a horticulturist, you may choose to work within construction and landscaping companies. This will allow you to design and develop landscapes for specific sites, cultivating flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs.

You then report back to clients on plant products and design plans on how to maintain the look and integrity of the greenery. What plants grow best together, whilst taking into account the climate and the soil within the area. 

ADVISING 

If communicating and meeting new people is something you enjoy, this may be the area for you to explore. Becoming a consultant for farmers or landscapers to provide information to enable them to maximize their crop output for the season is a popular field to explore. 

Doing this allows you to work closely with farmers providing them with insight on the types of soil they can use in order to protect their plants. 

EXPERIMENTATION AND RESEARCH 

A horticulturist may want to further explore plant research as a career. This will allow you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn more about specific plant evolution and development under specific circumstances. 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

Not all areas of horticulture mean working outside getting your hands dirty. 

Another career opportunity is working behind the scenes, making sure clients or the specific place of work is of standard with proper horticultural policies in place. 

Taking on an administrative role, you may also be responsible for planning landscaping and specific gardening projects. 

EDUCATION 
Once experienced within the field, you may want to look into teaching as a professor. This may be at university level, or talking at protests, information nights etc.

The Importance Of Sleep

Sleep is one of the fundamental aspects that will support a healthy brain and body function and is just as important as eating healthy and exercising regularly. 

Sleep is essential because it enables the body to repair and be fit and ready for another day. Getting adequate rest each night will also help prevent excess weight gain, heart disease and decreased illness duration. Research has also identified that it reduces stress, inflammation and enhances your memory and retention rate (which is great, especially when studying). 

Our circadian rhythm is our 24-hour internal body clock, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Our circadian rhythm plays a fundamental role in our physical, mental, and behavioural changes and typically responses to light and dark. Brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other important biological processes are all determined by this cycle. 

Getting into a healthy sleep pattern is essential, our bodies thrive off routine, so to support our circadian rhythm, here are simple tips and tools:

•  Keep hydrated during the day 

•  Eat a nutritious and balanced diet, ensuring that you eat dinner at least 1.5 hours before you go to bed

•  Reduce your screen time after 8 pm at night, this helps to slow down the brain and relax the body 

•  Enjoy a warm bath or shower before bed to relax the muscles in your body and regulate our body temperature. 

•  Aim to go to bed at roughly the same time each night 

•  Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 

•  If you’re someone that struggles to get to sleep each night, consider reading for 10 minutes before going to sleep or do some mindfulness or mediation to relax the mind

How To Structure A Successful Study Day

As a student, it can be difficult juggling study time with other commitments. 

 However, when we plan and structure our study, we can not only be more productive, but we can also achieve more. Have you ever heard the quote “if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do” – Lucille Ball. Organisation and structure are key! 

Here are some strategies to structure a successful study day: 

• Plan your day the day before – Each night set aside 10 minutes to work out what study you and going to complete the next day. Identify the units or tasks you are going to complete and write these down on paper. 

• Identify when you are going to complete your study – it is important to remember to have a break after sitting at your desk for 1 -2 hours so break your study into blocks and remember to have each with at least a 15-30-minute break in between.

• Schedule your study into your calendar – block the time out in your calendar so that you can clearly see on paper when you are going to achieve each of your study tasks the next day. 

It is important to remember to not overdo your study in one single day; it's more productive and efficient to just do a couple of hours each day than to cram all your study into one single day. 

Other key influencing factors that will support your study are: 

• Exercising – make sure you are getting outside and moving your body regularly for at least 40 – 50 minutes each day. 

• Nutrition – make a commitment to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet that is full of vitamins, minerals and protein; this will boost your brainpower, mood and energy levels.

• Sleep – invest in deep sleep, this supports your memory and in turn, will assist in having a productive study day, where the brain will retain information. 

Three Simple Ways To Boost Your Motivation

Keeping motivated at the best of times can be challenging. 

Sometimes it is really easy to get motivated and build excitement and other days you may find it nearly impossible to figure out how to motivate yourself to achieve your goals and aspirations. 

Procrastination and feeling uninspired is a regular feeling that individuals will experience from time to time, however, the great news is, that there are a number of ways we can spark the motivation back into our day to day, study and work life. 

The key is understanding what motivates you to achieve your goals, and for everyone, this will be completely different.

Here are three simple steps to discovering what motivates you:

1.     Define your goals – What do you want to achieve?

2.     Understand your why – Identify on paper the purpose behind why you want to achieve your goals.

3.     Produce a plan – once you have a goal in place, write down a plan and vision on how to achieve the goal, we recommend breaking the goal down into small 'mini' goals.

Once you have identified, what you want to achieve this will help to ignite the motivation back into your life. 

Other simply this you can do to boost your daily motivation include: 

• Exercising – Which helps to release serotonin and boost our mood and happiness, in turn increasing our motivation.

• Break down your goals – Write down a little daily goal you can achieve to get to your overall goal. 

• Stay in the zone – working for hours on end will reduce your motivation, aim to work for 1 – 2 hours and then have a 30 minutes break. 

The most important thing to remember is that you can’t achieve everything in one single day. So keep it fun, get creative and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way!

How To Stay Connected While Studying/Working From Home

For a lot of people, the sudden shift to working or studying from home poses the challenge of staying connected, whether it’s with coworkers or fellow students. 

Thankfully, there are many solutions readily available to us for online communication while we’re unable to spend time with people in person.

Prioritise Regular Coffee Chats

Not being able to see each other in person shouldn’t put an end to social coffee chats. Simple creating a routine, even once a week on a Monday or Friday, of group Zoom meetings over coffee can help to create a sense of normality to our routines. 

Alternatively, staying ‘online’ over Slack or an online messaging platform - letting people know you’re available to talk over coffee - is another way to keep conversations going and relationships strong.

Encourage Group Chats

Further to creating one-off meetings, encouraging an always-open group chat platform can help to foster a collaborative environment and aid in staying connected. This is especially helpful for employees or students working from home who enjoy regular conversations, and helps to keep moral high. 

Friday Wind Down

Getting together over a video conferencing platform, such as Zoom, on a Friday afternoon to celebrate the week’s achievements is great for staying connected and fostering relationships. A 45 minute catch up is all that’s needed, and this has the added benefit of instilling a sense of routine and normality in life. 

Buddy Up

If you’ve set aside time for a study session, it can be helpful to buddy up with someone who may also be studying. SImply having someone join you online - either via Zoom or Slack - for accountability can be a great motivator and can help you feel more connected.

There are many different ways to stay connected, whether it’s by setting up routines or doing impromptu catch ups, but more than ever it’s important to make a conscious effort to do so.

Above all - if you’re finding that working or studying from home is isolating, it’s important to reach out to someone. 

Employment Opportunities For Allied Health Assistant Workers

Have you been considering a career in Allied Health Assistance? One of the great benefits of studying a Certificate in Allied Health Assistance is the varied career opportunities that accompany it. You’ll have the chance to not only work in a wide range of settings, but you’ll also be working with a diverse range of clients with a challenging scope of work. 

An Allied Health Assistant has an incredibly hands-on and rewarding role, working directly under the supervision of health care professionals, but what exactly are your employment options?

Acute care and hospitals

Working directly with doctors and nurses, you will provide high quality clinical services to patients and their families or carers to optimise health outcomes. You will also be responsible for undertaking designated departmental and administrative tasks necessary to support service delivery.

Rehabilitation centres

Directly supporting health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, you’ll support patients on an individual and group basis in their rehabilitation. This will include supporting physiotherapy sessions, assisting with administrative tasks and supporting in and out patient activities. 

Aged care facilities

Supporting the aged care team, you’ll work closely with patients to ensure they’re well cared for, taking an active role in their daily activities. Here, you’ll also provide one-on-one assistance to patients and be a direct support to their families.

Schools with special needs students

Supporting teaching staff, you’ll work directly with professionals assisting in the care and education of students with special needs. You will also work closely in collaboration with services within the community to identify and provide early interventions for children and young people who have additional needs or are at risk of disengagement.

Across all industries, your core skills and duties will be applicable. Daily responsibilities will include:

~ Overall management and direction of facility or organisation

~ Assisting in administrative operations; reporting, budget planning and supply/equipment expenditure

~ Developing, implementing and monitoring health care standards and policies for Allied Health and administrative staff

~ Liaising with patients

~ Maintaining a comfortable, supportive environment through multiple practices.

~ Supporting and assisting Allied Health practitioners

In an industry with a 12.4% projected growth rate over the next 5 years, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a multitude of practices, across a wide range of practices.

If you’re interested in studying to be an Allied Health Assistant at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

How To Stay Fit, Healthy And Happy During COVID-19.

With new social distancing measures in place, it’s harder than ever to maintain an exercise regime, especially if you’re someone who enjoys working out with friends. 

In addition to this, the home environment in which we’ve all found ourselves offers many opportunities to remain sedentary, and it’s more important than ever to keep our bodies moving and maintain a healthy body and mind. 

So, how can you ensure you do this?

Spend Time Outside

Measures in place mean we’re able to spend a maximum of 1 hour outside exercising. It’s incredibly important at this time to make the most of this hour. Spend time jogging or exercising, or simply commit to an hour of walking. If you’re someone who finds an hour of walking to be boring, try listening to music or a podcast to help keep you entertained.

Take Breaks

Take regular breaks from sitting in front of your computer, at a desk or on your sofa every 40-50 minutes. These breaks don’t need to be long, and can be as simple as a quick walk to the other side of your house, getting up to get a glass of water or simply spending a few minutes on your balcony or in your backyard. 

Use Your Bodyweight

With instant access to what seems like an infinite library of free online workout videos, incorporating at home strength workouts into your routine has the benefit of not only creating healthy habits, but also of clearing your mind and keeping you physically fit. Some examples of indoor workouts can be found HERE.

Try Meditation

Meditation - in addition to reducing stress and anxiety - has the wonderful ability to promote calmness and clarity of mind. Taking up 15-20 minutes of meditation each morning will help you maintain a healthy and active mind, while also helping you gain clarity. Another benefit of meditation? It’s incredibly useful for promoting healthy brain function. 

Do you have any other suggestions? Leave us a comment in the box below.

The Power Of Meditation And How It Supports Our Brain Power

Did you know that just 10 minutes a day of mindful meditation can drastically improve your cognitive function? 

Not only should the quality of your cognitive function be regularly monitored, but it’s also important to reflect on it in times of intense study.

Healthy brain function is essential for retaining new information, boosting concentration, reducing stress and anxiety and aiding better sleeping patterns.With that in mind, how does meditation play a part in healthy brain performance?

Meditation Improves Concentration 

If you’ve ever noticed that you have difficulty remaining focussed on one thing, chances are you could benefit from meditation. By dedicating a short amount of time each day to meditation, and teaching - or rather, allowing - your brain to focus on just the meditative task at hand, you can improve your ability to focus and concentrate on a day-to-day basis. 

Meditation Reduces Anxiety

One of the main catalysts for beginning meditation can be a desire to increase relaxation and reduce stress. However, mindful meditation has the added benefit of also reducing anxiety by loosening the connection on self-referential (“me-centred’) parts of our brains. As this connection weakens, we simultaneously strengthen the connection between our body, our fear centres and our Assessment Centre. Our Assessment Centre is the part of the brain known for reasoning, so when we experience upsetting situations we’re better able to act rationally.

Meditation Increases Memory Function

Meditation has been linked strongly to rapid memory recall, meaning we’re better able to remember newly acquired information. This skill has been linked to the added benefit of being able to ignore distractions that would otherwise mean we’re unable to absorb - and so recall - information. 

Meditation has many benefits, with only a few listed above, and can be essential for many in boosting their brain performance. 

We’d love to know if you’ve found practising meditation to be helpful in the comment box below.

What Does A Role As A Disability Carer Look Like?

As a Disability Carer, your days will be varied, but one constant will be your ability to aid and care for those in need. Working one-on-one with people with a disability is an incredibly rewarding experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to help them gain independence and live a full, rich life.

But what exactly does a Disability Carer’s role look like?

Place of Work

There’s no one place of work in Disability Support, with locations ranging from patient’s homes to places of care. Some days, you’ll find yourself working at your clients’ house, supporting them with basic activities such as showering and food preparation, while on another day you may find yourself coordinating social events for your patients.

Patients

Your patients will range from people in wheelchairs to people needing addition and more in-depth assistance. With career pathways that lead to working as a Disability Support Worker, Behavioural Support Officer, Community Development Officer, Disabilities Supervisor or a Disability Service Officer, there’s no end to the types of people you’ll have the opportunity to work with.

Skills

Not everyone is cut out for a career as a Disability Carer, with the basic skills including:

• Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Disability Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.

• Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patients is incredibly important.

• Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.

• Patience ~ the job of a Disability Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.

The Day-to-Day

Much like the place of work, the daily life and routine of a Disability Carer is varied and can include a dynamic variety of activities, such as:

• Assisting your clients and patients with domestic tasks

• Assisting with meal preparation and shopping

• Coordinating social gatherings and events

• Establishing and maintaining daily routines

• Providing companionship and support to your patients

• Helping your clients to become independent and lead fulfilling lives

A career in Disability Care offers so much variety and a genuinely fulfilling experience, with the specifics of any job largely relying on the needs of the client.

The most important skill of any carer? Promoting social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and general health.

If you’re interested in studying to be a Disability Care Worker at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

5 Ways To Boost Your Communication Skills

One of the most essential skills, whether in business or in life, is communication. If you are able to effectively communicate with large groups of people, you’re able to work well in teams or step into leadership roles in business.

But how do you boost your existing communication skills? Here are five of our favourite methods.

1.     Master the basics of nonverbal communication. 

One study found that nonverbal communication made up 55% of how a presenter was perceived by an audience. To communicate nonverbally, focus on your posture and avoid slouching or crossing your arms, as this can make you appear smaller and less confident. Instead, take up space with your body language and maintain eye contact

2.     Engage with your audience.

All audiences have limited attention spans, no matter how confident the speaker is. In order to maintain their focus and attention, take time to ask questions and encourage your audience to speak out and join the discussion where possible.

3.     Know your audience

One of the key focus areas when looking to improve your communication is to know who you’re communicating with. This should include where they’re from, what their interests may be, and their overall personality. This will have an impact on how you communicate with them ~ for example, the stories you tell, references you make and the overall tonality. 

4.     Be concise with your message
Say just enough that you get your point across, without trailing on. Speak less, but more effectively, and listen more than you speak. An easy way to practice this would be to actively listen and think before speaking or responding. It can be a challenging skill to master, but ultimately it’s incredibly effective. 

5.     Learn how to listen

Much like the previous point, listening to your audience ~ and actually hearing what they’re saying ~ is a key skill for an effective communicator, in fact, it’s probably the most important.
While it might seem like listening is a natural part of communication, it still needs an intentional effort. Take the time to listen to what your audience is saying, as well as their nonverbal cues and body language. This will help you understand what they’re feeling and thinking, and will assist you with effective communication.

Refining your communication skills will take time and intentional effort, but will pay off in the long term. 

Five Reasons To Study A Certificate IV In Aged Care Support

When you choose to work in Aged Care, you’re choosing to make a difference to the lives of those who are most at need. Not only are you entering an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career, but you’re also working in an industry that offers great opportunities and consistent growth. 

If that’s not enough, here are five reasons why you should study a Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

A Growing Industry

The aged care industry is one of the few which is consistently in growth, driven largely by Australia’s ageing population. Because of this, the industry is booming with the number of people requiring aged care set to double by the year 2050 and an estimated 179,000 job openings over the next 5 years.

Location, Location, Location

Gaining your qualification in Aged Care allows you to pick and choose where you want to work. Because the elderly are in need of support Australia-wide, you can follow your adventurous streak and choose to work anywhere in Australia.

Job Satisfaction

Working one-on-one with people from all walks of life, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference to peoples’ lives and impact them in a positive way. Working closely with patients and their family members, and ensuring they receive a high level of care as well as enjoying their lives with dignity, is incredibly rewarding. 

Varied Roles

With no two days the same, a career in Ageing Support is great if you’re someone who loves a varied role. With your duties ranging from checking in on patients, monitoring patient health, meeting with family members and working in care home facilities, this is the perfect option for someone who enjoys variety.

Career Opportunities

A Certificate IV in Ageing Support opens doors to many different career pathways, allowing you to work and specialise in a variety of areas. A few examples are:

• Social Support

• Domestic Assistance

• Palliative Care

• Dementia

• Personal Care

• Assistant in Nursing

• Community Support Worker

Click here to find out more about our Certificate IV in Ageing Care, or contact us today for more information.

What A Career As An Individual Support Carer Looks Like

As an Individual Support Carer, your primary role will be to aid individuals within health and social care settings.Support Care Workers make up a large percentage of the health care workforce, being an invaluable part of teams providing care for those in need.

But what exactly does a career in Individual Support look like?

Place of Work

There’s no ‘set’ place of work for a Support Carer, and each day could offer a different working environment. Some days, you may be visiting members of the community in their own homes on other days you could be working in differing care settings. For some Support Workers, their place of work is in a care home, a mental health clinic, a school, a hospital or in supported housing developments.

Patients

There’s no universal patient for a Support Worker, and often Carers will work with a variety of patients. For example, a Support Carer may work closely with disabled individuals who need help carrying out their day-to-day duties, while others may be providing much-needed support to family members. 

Skills

It takes a certain kind of person to not only be a Support Carer but to thrive in a caregiving environment. A few essential skills are:

• Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patience is incredibly important.

• Patience ~ the job of a Support Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.

• Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.

• Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Support Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.

The Day-to-Day

With each day taking its own shape, and no two being the same, a day in the life of a Support Worker is varied. Duties can include:

• Interviewing and assessing the needs of new clients and family members

• Reporting on assessments 

• Monitoring the health of clients and their medical conditions

• Performing recreational activities with clients

• Maintaining and updating client records

• Providing support and companionship

• Participating in training to further your skills and knowledge

• Supporting clients in their daily activities and tasks, such as cleaning, washing, eating and general mobility.

While the life of a Support Care Worker has its many challenges, it offers an incredibly rewarding career with diverse career paths and a sense of purpose.

If you’re interested in studying to be a Support Care Worker Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

What Makes Studying At Stirling Institute So Rewarding?

As a student in Melbourne, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to academic institutions, and here at Stirling Institute, we pride ourselves on being amongst the best for post-graduate academic studies.

Our Locations

It’s hard to beat the world’s second ~ formally first ~ most liveable city. With locations across Melbourne, our campuses are on the doorstep of some of the best cafes, libraries, entertainment venues and views that Australia has to offer. With incredibly accessible public transport, our locations are easy to reach by tram or train whether you attend our Southbank or Scoresby campus. Other locations include Ringwood, Fawkner, Dandenong, St. Albans, Echuca, Shepperton and Williams Landing.

Our Teachers

Our faculty are highly trained educators with a passion for teaching and an incredible ability to cater to our students’ needs. At Stirling Institute, our vision is to be known as one of Australia’s best education and training providers, and our educators are committed to excellence and delivering high-quality education achieved through actively tailoring our training for people from diverse backgrounds. At Stirling Institute, we’re proud to say that we champion diversity and encourage all too apply for our courses.

Our Misson

Our mission is simple. We aim to empower our students ~ and wider organisations ~ to realise their potential and maximise their capacities. We focus our efforts on encouraging all students to identify and achieve their aspirations tough the investment in our people and courses to support real employment outcomes. Our highest priority of all is uncompromising safety. We provide an environment where children and adults are safe and their voices are heard.

Our Work Placements

One of our most celebrated achievements is the relationships we’ve built with workplaces and organisations across Melbourne. Because of these relationships, we’re able to offer our students high-quality and industry-relevant work placements for a range of career pathways including horticulture, aged care, allied health, individual care and business.

Your Career Opportunities

Thorugh some of the best work placements available, in conjunction with our highly skilled educators, you will gain skills that dramatically increase not only your employability but will equip you with the practical knowledge to succeed. We believe that our training sets us apart, and our students are proof of that.

If you’re interested in learning more about studying at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.