Balance beam

Stress factors - resilience - stressor - student counselling

In this tool, the student draws the different aspects of his life on a balance beam: activities that take effort and/or cause stress and activities that offer support and reduce stress. The beam represents the resilience of the student. With this exercise, the student can explore if his resilience is strong enough to take on another stressor (in this case, a course or an education).

This tool is based on 'De Balkmetafoor' (https://www.balkmetafoor.be/).

In order to use this tool, you will need the file 'Balance beam'.

Step 1 On slide 2, you will find a picture of a beam. This represents your capacity and resilience. On top of the beam, there are weights (yellow). The weights put pressure on your beam. These are things in your life that might cause you stress or that take a lot of effort (e.g. work, social obligations, school...). Think about what your stressors might be and draw them on the beam. If it causes you a lot of stress or takes a lot of effort, draw a big weight. If the stress or effort is less, draw a smaller weight.

Step 2 Below the beam, there are pillars (green). The pillars offer support and will prevent the beam from breaking. Think about what your pillars might be and draw them below the beam. If it offers you a lot of support, draw a big pillar. If it offers you little support, draw a smaller pillar.

Step 3 The student has now drawn all the pillars. Discuss the balance beam with the student.

• Why did you draw these weights/pillars?

• Do you think you can add another weight to the beam without it breaking?

• If you look at this, do you think you can manage to add an education to the beam?

• Will you need an extra pillar to support the beam in that case? If so, what would the label say?

Balance beam

If you are interested in this tool, you could also be interested in Time management.