topic Fellow psych students on the forum? in Young people

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 06:03:40 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20 year old uni student in my second year of the B.Commerce/B.Psych(hon) degree.

I guess I'm posting this mostly because I've really been feeling the pressure for the psych stream of my degree.

It's tough and the competition for psych honours is FIERCE at my uni (as I'm sure it is at most, if not all, unis).

At my uni, those who currently have honours embedded in their degree are extremely stressed about losing it if they don't maintain their grades (e.g. me). And many of those without the honours currently embedded in their degree are stressed about getting the grades to transfer into the honours stream.

Every exam and every assignment but most of all, our final grades, I worry that I won't be able to keep the honours.

I love the psych content but I don't love the psych academic environment as it's extremely toxic at my uni. It's partly because the psych faculty reminded us of the competitive nature of psych from day 1 in first year. I've seen classmates withhold notes from friends. I've seen classmates refuse to help their (academically) struggling friends. At my uni, it feels like a case of every student for him/herself.

I don't know what I'm trying to say but I'm hoping someone here on this forum can empathise and knows where I'm coming from.

Thanks everyone!

Dottie

Fellow psych students on the forum?

james1 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 06:18:47 GMT

Hey Dottie,

I didn't do psych, but I had lots of friends who did and I saw it first hand with my ex who went on to do honours then PhD.

I think it's really unfortunate that the course is so competitive. Naturally, the competition for clinical masters is super fierce too, if that's a path you'd be interested in. The best you can hope for is to make one or two friends who will support each other, but sometimes that just doesn't happen.

During my ex's final honours year, what worked was making sure she had time off. Even when she didn't necessarily feel like she could, I'd drag her out to go for a short walk. We also tried to take a full day off every few months because she was cooped up at home or uni basically 24/7 studying. Of course, this meant that she'd have to work extra hard in the lead-up, but this gave her something to look forward to.

So my suggestion is make sure you take time out. Especially around exam and assignment times, it's so easy to lose track of time. Take a half hour out every now and then to do something you like and talk to people, but also make time for the longer breaks of a Saturday or Sunday. It's amazing what a full day of rest can do and is well worth the extra work you have to do in the week or two leading up.

James

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Zeal — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 08:13:33 GMT

Hi Dottie,

The pressure you feel is completely understandable. As you know, I'm no longer wishing to do Honours next year. Postgrad counselling/psychotherapy is the right path for me. It is fantastic that you have set Honours as your goal and are working to achieve this. As James said, having some time off here and there is essential for your wellbeing (getting mentally exhausted and worn out will make study harder). This is easier said than done, I realise. You are a bit ahead of the curve, as you will get Honours if you maintain a specified GPA (I imagine this is outlined somewhere), whereas others who did not manage to gain entry to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program will have a great deal of uncertainly regarding their selection chances. For them, it depends on how well everyone else does, which as you said, adds to the competitive environment.

Try not to compare yourself to others, if possible. I struggled with this today - my assignment partner and I went to our research poster presentation venue (assignment weighted at 10%), and we both started feeling worried when we realised that many people had professionally printed their posters at Officeworks (and were larger than ours). A few others who were talking to us felt intimidated too. Some people did the research poster on their own (and had very fancy printed posters) - I feel that some people are already trying to make their mark before Honours! This is by no means a critique of them - it's a smart move and shows they care about research work!

I hope you've met some nice people in psych (who aren't super competitive)!

Best wishes,

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:52:31 GMT

Thanks James & SM! You guys are the best!

I'll write a proper response later. On my way to the uni library to study with a friend.

Thanks again x

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 09:34:48 GMT

Hi James,

Thanks a mill for your support and advice.

Wow, credit to your ex for getting through her honours year. I'm glad she had your support during that year.

Yeah, I agree that breaks are a good idea. I struggle with feelings of guilt that is accompanied by catastrophising about how I'm going to fail or do badly by taking some time off. This is then normally followed by panic about how I'm going to lose my honours place. And before you know it, I'm a big, panicky mess ha, ha.

So yeah, I just need to figure out a happy medium between taking breaks and not feeling incredibly guilty for taking them.

Thanks again James!

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 09:57:52 GMT

Hi SM,

I think it's wonderful that you've decided to pursue the counselling/psychotherapy path. It sounds like you're heading in the right direction for you which is fantastic 😊

Good point about trying to not to compare yourself with others. It must have been hard not to compare after seeing all those research posters. But well done on finishing the project!

Thanks. I have made quite a lot of friends in psych. In saying that, I don't open up to most of them. I like them but don't necessarily trust some of them enough. How do I put this? I have a lot of uni friends but that doesn't mean that they're necessarily quality friends.

I do have one friend- bless him- where we are both in the same boat of trying to maintain our grades (so we hopefully don't lose our honours place) and we are each other's support.

I have another really supportive friend but she doesn't want to do honours (so the good thing about being around her is she's a lot more chill about grades so it can be healthy for me to be around her relaxed vibe).

I have also made a new friend this semester who is a little bit wild (but oh so fun). She kind of reminds me of what I'm missing out on sometimes ha, ha.

Anyway, now I'm just rambling. Not even sure what I'm trying to say anymore.

Either way, thanks SM!

Fellow psych students on the forum?

james1 — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 10:20:11 GMT

What helped me when I was working and studying full time was just timing my "mini breaks" during the day. I made sure I took them when I wouldn't be productive anyway. i.e. I'd read papers while eating and then about 30 minutes later, I'd just clock off and take a break (since I'd be having a food coma anyway haha). So I wouldn't feel particularly guilty about this since I could argue that I wouldn't have done anything anyway.

The big breaks are tougher... but I did try after major assignments and the mid-sem to take a half day off.

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 11:57:27 GMT

Hi James,

Thanks for the tip and sharing your food coma experience (that made me smile).

You're a legend on this forum 😊

Dottie x

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 02:09:55 GMT

Hi again,

Wasn't sure where to post this and didn't want to start a new thread so thought here would be a good place to post.

Feel like some of my friends are starting to crack under the pressure of grades and competing/keeping their place for/in honours.

During the mid sem break, I had 2 friends burst into tears after one of our mid sem psych exams.

And I am definitely feeling the heat too. I'm currently procrastinating instead of working on an assignment that's due tomorrow. I know there are worse things in the world but I personally feel like bursting into tears right now too.

Dottie

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 02:15:48 GMT

correction: "During the mid sem exams (not break)..."

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Zeal — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 05:10:20 GMT

Hi Dottie,

That's really tough, and you and your friends certainly are being put under pressure, both academically and emotionally. I have been procrastinating over the last few days. I am very stuck on a research proposal. Formulating hypothetical research designs is something I am terrible at! I cannot wait to finish undergrad and focus on counselling next year. I should probably get outside and go for a walk, and then maybe I will come back and be able to focus my mind.

I hope you are doing okay Dottie. Try getting away from your desk in some way, whether that's going for a walk or something else. Make sure you have snacks for energy, like nuts and fruit.

You can do this! Drop by your uni counselling service next time you're feeling overwhelmed. Other uni staff can be amazingly helpful for academic and life advice too. In the meantime, the beyondblue helpline is always available (1300 22 4636), and we are here to talk too 🙂

Best wishes,

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 08:38:30 GMT

Hi SM,

Thanks for the support and understanding. I appreciate it IMMENSELY.

Your research proposal sounds very stressful. Did you end up going on a walk? As you said so yourself, stepping away for a bit can be helpful.

I did actually go for a walk. Blasted loud music in my headphones. Music always helps. Feel a little bit better now but still stressed ha, ha.

All the best with your research proposal. Let us know how it goes here, at the Friends' Cafe or elsewhere on BB.

Dottie x

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 17:08:19 GMT

Hi,

It is currently past 3am. I'm sleep deprived and need to finish an assignment that is due today. I also have to get to uni early for a test (not a mid sem exam but a test nontheless but with a lower weighting than mid arms).

Why does the psych department at my uni have to be so sadistic? A test AND an assignment due on the first day of the mid sem break.

Dottie

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Just Sara — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 19:32:48 GMT

Good morning Dottie;

I've read through the thread and a few issues come to mind. You sound frantic and this is understandable, I concur with the pressure of competitive academia. I've been there myself and supported my sister who panicked constantly.

There's been some wonderful comments and advice from other posters...great stuff!

Some of our best minds (and athletes) are where they are now due to competition. It's a competitive world and what you're experiencing now is a training ground for life I'm afraid. Simply...it's a dog eat dog minefield. I don't want this to come across as defeatist; on the contrary.

1st, you obviously have the skill and ability to compete for the honours program. 2nd, you're passionate and driven...great! You've reached out for help which takes guts. You've defined your fears and identified what you feel is relevant. Self assessing...another great character plus!

What comes across over and over, is competing with others and their competitive nature/fears. You'll find this every time you apply for a job. You promote yourself; a marketing strategy.

Looking at how others are doing and comparing yourself to them is what they're doing with you. In sport, each player plays their own game. Once you try and keep up to someone on the other team, focus is diverted away from your goal. Do you get my meaning?

This time will be the hardest time of your career, so how you survive will create the foundation for what's up ahead. It's always got to be about 'you' first!

There's negative stress and positive stress. The latter makes us strive further and harder, like cliff climbing. One foot in front of the other. You compete with yourself. My sister wanted high distinctions every time. She did it through pure stubbornness to get what she wanted. (Our family is from a sporting background)

Grades are everything so define what you want and go after it with abandon! Learn to enjoy competing as a strategy to winning that placement; ok?

In the 80's I went for 2 jobs against over 30 apps. I got both jobs! Passion and drive...go get 'em!!

Good luck...Dizzy

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 21:53:15 GMT

Thank you Dizzy!

A very helpful response, reminder and wake up call.

Think I had lost my way a bit this semester so thank you for reminding me.

I'll post a proper response after I finish my assignment and test. Thank you again 😊

Fellow psych students on the forum?

james1 — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 02:38:35 GMT

Good luck with the test today Dottie!! And the assignment!

You deserve a bit of a break after today I think 🙂

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Just Sara — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 03:45:11 GMT

I'm with James on this Dottie;

Good luck with your exam and assignment! You can do eeet!! Tick those off your to-do list, only 50 more to go...lol One step at a time!

Also, thanks for the 'thanks', you're so welcome young one. Am looking forward to your upcoming posts.

Welcome to our community of oh so lovely and caring people, and those who need our help. (You too...personal experience is absolutely valued here)

Go get 'em tiger!!!

Dizzy (Hug)

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 00:23:06 GMT

Hi Dizzy,

Thank you so much for the posts! I submitted my assignment and had my test yesterday- thank you for your well wishes.

You sound like a very successful and driven person. Well done on getting the 2 job offers in the 80's!

I think your first post really hit a nerve with me. It woke me up and reminded me why I had started studying in the first place.

I agree that it needs to be about me playing my own game. As you pointed out, I was getting really caught up in everyone else's game; I was like a sponge soaking in the stress and fears of my friends and classmates. Now I need to wring the sponge out so I can differentiate between other people and myself.

You and your sister come across as such capable high achievers- kudos to both or you!

I'm glad the competitive environment works for you. I get what you're saying about learning to enjoy the competition; some sage advice there. But to be honest, I don't think that I'll ever truly enjoy the competitive aspect because it's just not in my nature. Not being defeatist or cynical- just aware of my personality.

In saying that, I will compete if there's a need tor it. How do I put it? I will compete if it's a means to an end like if I see an end goal in sight (rather than the competition itself).

So what I'm taking away from your advice is that I want to try to play my own game (and avoid getting caught up in the games around me) and aim high to reach an end goal.

A BIG thank you again! You have given me some much needed clarity!

Thanks also for hug. Here's a hug for you too!

Dottie x

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Guest_322 — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 00:27:45 GMT

Hi James,

Thank you so much for your encouragement. It means that must more as I know you're struggling yourself.

Giving myself 2 days off woo!

Dottie

Fellow psych students on the forum?

Just Sara — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 07:57:01 GMT

Hi Dottie;

Hope you're enjoying your 2 days off!

Thanks for the complements, they're appreciated indeed. I'm actually stoked my advice was what you needed.

You sound back on track, great! Confident and focused is a fine combination. Your competitive nature will pop out when you need it so don't be concerned; law of the jungle. I'm not competitive all the time, and I don't like working in a competitive environment either. It's just that when I want something really bad, I use those 'juices' to give me drive and ambition. I fly better solo to be honest.

My sister never used to be driven or successful, but when I began study and progressed thru work etc, her 'juices' kicked in. If I could do it, she could too. She just followed my lead and asked for help. When I brought my home, she brought one too. It's a sister thing, but it works for us.

So have some well earned time off - fun, laughter and friends. How nice!

Take care...Dizzy xo