Academic Lethargy

[Guest_3072]

Hi everyone,

So I'm currently at uni in my 3rd year out of a 4 year degree. This year has been my worst so far academically. I used to be a good student. My GPA was 5.8 (out of 7) and it has dropped to 5.0 (out of 7). I am barely passing my assignments and even submitting some assignments unfinished and procrastinating and it's causing a lot of stress. I just know that I can do better and I'm just not enjoying the units I'm studying this semester. I feel like I've let myself down with not being engaged with the learning material and in that way, I haven't really gotten my moneys worth in terms of HECS fees and what-not. I don't know, do you guys have any tips on how I get better because my self-esteem is being hit pretty hard, especially with comments from tutors about my assignments and so forth.

[white knight]

Hi Gabby

This is not my field of knowledge but, can you give yourself one last push till the years end then take a well deserved break that could include some cheap camping, back to basics living?

Gotta recharge your batteries.

Google: cheap recovery idea- camping- beyondblue

Hope it works out.

Tony WK

[geoff]

hello Gabby, I'm so sorry to hear this has been happening, but you mustn't feel as though you are letting yourself down, there is a reason why you are feeling like this and these could be anything, some you will know of and some which you don't know of, and one reason is because you're not enjoying the units, which brings me to say do have doubt that when you finish are you going to be happy doing any future work with this degree behind you, so that's a question you may have to consider.
Another reason could be that there are too many other problems going on in the back ground which are causing you to feel this way, so I would be very interested to hear back from you. Geoff. x

[Guest_322]

Hi Gabby,

Firstly this is such a Dottie post to reply to; it has my name all over it ha, ha. But joking aside, I take it that you're someone who has always taken pride in her academic performance. So feeling as disengaged as you are would understandably feel like a huge blow to you. I hear you.

I feel your performance this semester reflects your current circumstances/state of mind more than your ability. I have faith that you're both smart and capable.

Tony WK and Geoff have both advised very wisely. I would like to reiterate Geoff's point that there is a reason(s) you're feeling this way.

So my suggestion is to have a sit down moment and try to figure out why you're feeling disengaged or unmotivated. This is because if you can figure out the why then maybe you can figure out how to get back on track. Some common reasons could be:

- burnout, which relates to putting a lot of pressure on yourself, all work and no play, etc.

- personal problems spilling over to your academic life

- mental health issues

- unbalanced life (all work and no play). Welcome to my life 😉

- others

Maybe it would help to give the disability services (who also deal with mental health concerns) at your uni a call to see if there's someone you can talk to?

Otherwise is there someone in your faculty that you can have a chat with more specifically about the academic side of things?

I suspect there's something more going on (e.g. burnout) so hopefully if you get to the bottom of why you're feeling this way, you can figure out a strategy.

But good on you for your proactive approach in realising that something isn't quite right and reaching out for help.

Let us know how things go.

Dottie x

[Dee11]

Hello Dottie,

I would just like to say that I am in a similar if not same sort of situation. I am studying a very heavy loaded degree in the science field. I find myself procrastinating whereas I used to be a very organised student and follow through with my study plans. I get really overwhelmed and put things off and this just sets up a bigger problem. I then get upset with myself because I know I could do so much better if I followed through with all of my work. I don't get up early and study like I used to and have become a night owl instead and then wake up very tired which doesn't help.

I am new to the beyond blue forum by the way. I don't know how it works exactly but I thought it might be helpful for me to get in contact with anyone who has similar problems. I have both anxiety and depression.

There is so much more I could say.

I would be happy to hear from anyone. Thanks for listening.

Dee

[Guest_322]

Hi Dee,

Warm welcome 😊 I think it's great that you're posting and opening up about some of your struggles here.

Gabby's thread has clearly struck a chord with you (as it did with me and many others- even if they haven't all replied). Your degree sounds very stressful but I'm glad you're reaching out. And with depression and anxiety on top of that, it must be very overwhelming for you. Kudos again for reaching out.

My 2 cents worth is when focus and motivation are becoming a struggle (especially if they weren't previously an issue), it's an indication that something more/else is going on. Like if you're usually very organised and disciplined in your studies, those habits wouldn't change without a reason.

Can I give you one suggestion?

It's more or less the same as what I said to Gabby. Maybe figure out what is the trigger or cause of your procrastination (especially when this wasn't an issue previously). The reason is because if you can figure out the why, you are then more likely able to find a "solution" (so to speak).

Yeah, I remember the first time that I tried navigating this forum. It's great and all but it does take a little time to get used to 😊

We would love to get to know you better. Can I make another suggestion?

I think you might find it helpful if you started a new thread (sorry, I'm only putting it in bold so it doesn't get lost amongst the all this text- I hope that's okay with you) in, say, the welcome and orientation forum (for example).

That way, it can be more specific to what you're going through and you can tell us a bit more about yourself 😊

Hope to hear from you again.

Dottie x

[Guest_3072]

Hi Tony,

Yes I still have a handful of assignments to do this semester before it ends and I'm gonna push myself to do my best and have a well deserved break after the semester ends, even if it's just up the coast. I'll definitely need it as next year I'll be doing my final clinical placement which is 600 hours. Thanks for your advice!

Gabby

[Guest_3072]

Hello Geoff,

Thanks for your post! Yeah just reflecting back, I think that it's a combination of some family stuff that's going on (several people being diagnosed with health conditions), not really getting along with some people that I am volunteering with (not that I don't like them, just more of a personality and attitude towards life clashes) and maybe also fear that I won't get into the type of work that I would like to get into after my degree. It's so hard though to not let the other stuff that is going on affect my studies, but most likely it's burnout. I don't know, there might be other reasons too, but that's what comes to my mind right now. Thanks for your reply and insight!

Gabby

[Guest_3072]

Hi Dottie,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post! Yeah I think it's a combination of all the things that you have listed, and plus the units that I'm studying this semester are not really my thing. It's more about theoretical stuff like policy and management and I prefer to be studying the units where I can be more creative like group work, etc. I don't know, it always seems to be a pattern with me that I generally do better in the Autumn semester rather than the Spring semester, maybe its because the year is ending and stuff like that. But yeah, I have talked to counselling at university before and I feel that this is something that I can address on my own. With all of your guys responses, I think that I can identify what has happened and perform better for the rest of the semester and with the following semesters at uni as well.

Thanks Dottie!

Gabby

[Guest_322]

Hi Gabby,

No worries at all 😊 I think it's great that you seem to have identified some likely reasons.

Ah yeah, it's hard to stay super motivated if you find the content a bit dry. Hopefully you'll get to study more creative units in your remaining semesters. Just out of curiosity, how many more semesters do have to go (roughly)?

All the best with everything!

Dottie x