New to the forum, how are other students coping?

[botmij]

Hey everyone, I recently joined the forums and thought I would introduce myself

My name is Tim and I'm currently doing my honours year at university during strict lockdown. Studying during this pandemic is becoming increasingly stressful as the situation remains unpredictable, so I thought it might be nice to meet you all and hear how anyone has been handling studying from home.

Personally I've found the shift to online learning to be fine and I have been keeping myself motivated since the beginning of the year, however it really is a marathon and I'm worried I am slowly burning out. My whole family is working/studying from home now so the house is very loud and I really miss the ability to get out to see my peers to share in our stresses or study at the library.

How are you all managing to keep yourself motivated? Does anyone have any tips they would like to share?

[mocha delight]

Hi botmij I’m not a student at uni but I just wanted to say welcome and good luck with it all plus if you ever need to chat I’m here for you ok

[Jasjit]

Hi Botmij!

I completely understand and agree with your circumstances! I am also studying from home, and currently doing my Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced from Monash University! I will be starting my research project in 1 or 2 weeks' time! Really excited but also nervous.

Other than that, I exercise (heavy lifting/cardio/abs) and meditate every day and I am also vegan (I only consume whole foods).

By the way, what is your research project? If you don't mind me asking?

[botmij]

Nice to meet both of you!

Wishing you the best of luck with your research project Jasjit, it is a really exciting process and I have been thoroughly enjoying it (despite the stress!), so I hope it goes well for you too.

You sound like you have a great routine, I often struggle to do meditation but really appreciate how helpful it is. Props to you for doing it every single day, do you enjoy it?

My research project is related to migraines, we were originally going to do an experimental study but had to change for obvious reasons!

[SamanthaL]

Hi Tim! Hope you're doing well 🙂 A research project on migraines sounds so interesting!

I am also at uni, I am glad to hear you have also found online learning quite alright, personally, I love it a lot more than attending in person - so much less stressful for me! Do you have any tips on a study routine? I always find myself lounging in a comfy chair and I get the feeling I might be more productive at a desk.

[Jasjit]

Absolutely!! I enjoy it because from a very busy routine it is very rewarding just to take at least 10 mins out for my mind.

By the way, in the past I have been a sufferer of migraines from childhood up to my late adolescence, if there is anything I could do to contribute to your research, it would be my absolute pleasure!!!

Take care and hope to see you soon

[botmij]

Hi Samantha, that's so great you find online less stressful, I think for some people it does work really well. I actually find being online somehow more stressful, I actually get really anxious in online classes compared to in person, so I would love to hear about how you are managing things too 🙂

If I could give one tip that has helped me study, I made a really thorough spreadsheet with every single assessment/task/lecture note required and dates to complete them by, and organised it according to each subject (for me, this was for the whole year, but for you this could be for a single semester!) I found that this has really helped me stay on top of everything at once, and it also helps give me some direction when I can't decide what to work on. For me, the times where I am laziest or procrastinate the most is when I don't realise I'm actually really stressed, so opening the spreadsheet and ticking things off or shifting deadlines makes things feel less overwhelming. I am also more productive at my desk, so it is definitely a great investment to put one in your room or study area!

Jasjit, thank you for share your experience with migraines, are you still experiencing them today or have they lessened since aging? It is a really fascinating condition and has so many gaps in the knowledge base.

[Jasjit]

Hi Botmij,

To be honest, for me it only worked when I started eating whole foods - completely frugal. Like no additives, salt, preservatives etc. My migraines have completely disappeared. To me aging was not the reason, it was the food that I was consuming at such a young age. If there is a survey you are going to send out soon, please let me know! Happy to help with your project.

Hope that helps!