Post-HSC

[Thorney]

Hi! 

I recently finished my HSC. In all honesty, I think I did pretty well! I'm not stressed or anxious about my results. 

What I wanted to focus on was post-hsc emotions. I'm finding it hard to adjust to life now - not having to do much, and relaxing. I cannot remember the last time I fully relaxed. 

I can't actually find many stories about people post hsc, only stress and anxiety during the hsc; hence I am wanting to know about other experiences! 

I'm not exactly depressed or anything, I just don't really feel excited about anything. I'm going to Uni next year and doing something I really, really like - and I'm just not excited about it. I think it's part of myself relaxing and being content with where I am and not being ready to move forward. I think about living alone and I just can't fathom it. (I won't be living alone for a number of years, but it just seems like another massive change and I don't know how people do it). 

Pre-HSC I was (and still am) an introvert and I prefer being alone. But now, I seem to want to be around people (a lot!), likely for familiarity. 

I'm also really missing my friends - I try and catch up but there is just so much happening between all of us. I try and talk to family about some of my general anxiousness but they are busy (and/or dealing with their own stressors). I'm considering talking to a professional about my mental health.

During the end of my HSC I became so anxious I was throwing up just due to pure stress. I have never been an anxious person, let alone so anxious I had a physical reaction. I sought out some stress tablets and they helped. I had to take some post-hsc as well, because I just feel/felt so anxious due to this massive change in my life. It's all just so new. 

My question(s) are/is, how do you cope with these big kind of changes? How do you cope with feeling a bit lonely? How can I get myself to actually relax and not hold on to this kind of stress? 

I (like many others) are/am just so used to school, after so many years - it is such a massive change that happened so fast, I feel like I have whiplash. I'm not exactly struggling mentally, but I'm not the same compared to pre-hsc, and I want to make myself excited and a bit more happy again and honestly, just try and get myself mentally back to 'normal'. 

Thank you for reading. Have an amazing day! Please share some similar experiences if possible 😊. 

[indigo22]

Hi Thorney,

Just wanted to check in to ask how things are going for you.

How did your meeting with the professionals go?

Are you feeling any more comfortable now you are at Uni?

Please let me know when you have some time and I hope you are now feeling well.

Thinking of you,

indigo 💜

[Thorney]

Hey Indigo!

It's good to hear from you again. I'm going pretty well, thank you! 

I started Uni and I am a little swamped with studying and keeping on top of everything, but I'm going alright. I'm still looking at other degrees as much as possible! 

I met with some people who were really nice, but the career didn't really 'grab' at me, so I don't think I will pursue that right now. I'm meeting with someone else who has more a commerce background, as I have become interested in commerce/business analyst type roles. 

Overall I'm doing a lot better. I'm still ruminating over things every now and then but it's not as present and I am actively working on relaxing myself + noticing the small things that bring me joy. 

How have you been? I hope you are well and I hope the roses are thriving! 

[indigo22]

Hey Thorney,

I am so glad to hear you are coping with Uni, I feel confident that you will settle and feel more comfortable with a bit more time there.

You have certainly come a long way in a short time, you deserve to give yourself a pat on the back for the work you have done on yourself.

As for your career, it can be a bit of a 'goldilocks' scenario, finding the thing that is just right for you. Dipping your toes into each field to see what it's all about is very clever thinking and will save you a lot of time and studying in the long run.

I have been well, thank you for asking.

Having a couple of issues with the roses, but so far nothing I can't handle. They can be quite susceptible to certain insects and diseases so just trying to stay on top of it until they are more mature which will give them a better chance of gaining resistance.

At present I am playing 'tug of war' with weeds in the garden beds, this particular grass has runners under the soil so if you don't dig them out, it springs back up in no time.

I think I am winning at the moment but we'll see 😅.

I seem to have got a small spark of my creativity back. I bought a couple of self watering pots but could only get white, not a fan of plain white. So I have sketched a Flamingo on one and a Peacock feather on the other. I recently bought some acrylic paints and fine brushes to finish the job, it's the first time I have attempted something like this so fingers crossed they look nice when finished.

It has been such a lovely summer, the best one since I moved here. The past few years I have felt cheated out of summer, more like Spring going straight into Autumn, but this one is making up for it.

Stay well and update me when you have some more news, I will do the same.

indigo 💜