Anxiety over the future

[Jessicatherese94]

Hi everyone. This is my first post asking for advice on here.

I'm really, really anxious about the future. I'm currently doing a degree in psychology and when I don't get the marks I want or need I feel so anxious, and I usually don't sleep or eat for a couple of days. I'm really worried that I won't be smart/great enough for the profession that I want, even though I have other options if I don't become a psychologist. I just failed a test and have been shaking/panicky ever since. When I work hard for something and the results don't pay off I feel so worthless and sad.

Does anyone else feel like this and have strategies to cope with post exam stress? I know there's nothing I can do about it now and I just need to move on, but my course is so competitive and when everyone I know is settling down and getting jobs, I feel so unstable and useless.

Thank you in advance.

[Hope_for_the_best]

First of all, do not doubt yourself that you won't be a good psychologist. This only increases your anxiety towards exams and future. Everyone fails at some points in life and it does not mean you are useless. I presume you can retake the test right? If it is the case, then work hard and try again. It may take you longer to get to where you want, but you will get there eventually if you persist. I would suggest that you view this experience as preparing you to become a good psychologist. More hand-on life experiences mean you have more insights into coping strategies, which you can offer to your clients.

I hope my experience will comfort you a bit. I lived overseas and only returned to Australia 8 years ago. I was struggling to cope with being away from family alone. The very first psychologist I saw has never left her family. Although she is professional and provided me with a lot of strategies, I still found these inadequate to address my problems. I switched to another psychologist who had lived alone in a foreign country for many years. She too provided me with professional advice, but I felt much better after seeing her, because she could relate to me and offer tailored advice. Life experiences do make a difference in some cases.

Sometimes it is difficult to move on when there is a lot of stress, but not sleeping or eating is not going to solve any problems. Please take good care of yourself.

[MsPurple]

Hi Jessicatherese. I know how you feel. I finished my degree at the end of 2015 but they were a few stressful years. I also did a post grad degree so for my undergrad I was so worried whether I would get into a post grad and then in my post grad I was so worried I wouldn't pass or get a job. It is stressful but worth it in the end. I did end up passing and I have recently gotten a job (still a learning curb)

I wasn't told this until my last year and I wish I knew about it sooner. Have you heard of disability services? Did you know if you have a diagnosed mental illness you are eligible to join? I would contact your universities disabilities serves and get the appropriate paper work done. (just search it on your university website). I found it helpful. They can create you an academic plan if needed and they can give you extentions etc. They offer you more support. And no they don't tell your unit co-coordinators why you are with disabilities services, but they do tell them you have registered. (remember a diabetic can join). I had nothing but excellent support. I ended up telling one of my co-coordinators and she helped me so much. I have since advertised disabilities services at my uni and have discussed my mental illness in uni to encourage others to reach out and get help. The uni also have counseling services you can maybe look into. I decided to go through headspace but it is another option.

You are not alone with being anxious and stressed at uni. It is hard. If it wasn't everyone would do it. But if it is affecting your sleep it sounds like it is more than just a little stress. When I was at headspace my mental health nurse suggested deep breathing (6sec in and 6sec out) and meditation. I found meditation helped me go to sleep because it stopped my racing mind. Have you given it a try? there are apps that can guide you through it. I would also make sure you try and eat even if anxious. Nutrition is really important for uni to help with your concentration. Make sure you eat at least 3 meals a day. If you are struggling with that I found smoothies helped because they gave me some nutrition.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions about disability services and I'll see if I can help 🙂

[Jessicatherese94]

Thank you all it honestly means so much. I feel a lot better reading everyone's positive and inspiring comments.