Young people

A space for people aged 12-25 to discuss life. If you’re over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect.

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romantic_thi3f Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies
  • replies: 51

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are i... View more

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are important. Your grades don’t define you. (support) Studying can feel isolating but know you’re not alone! Reach out – and find or make friends that can support you along the way. If you’re having trouble finding some friends, join some local communities or clubs! They have lots at Uni’s and even stuff like open days are great ways to meet new people and find out what’s happening. Study groups can also be a great way to meet people and stay motivated. Also remind yourself why you’re doing this; inspirational wallpapers or quotes can be super inspiring. Remember the saying about the oxygen mask? If you can’t take care of yourself first studying will be harder. You are important. You know the drill - water, food, exercise, sleep. Try to stay calm. Stuff that might be able to help include mindfulness, breathing exercises, colouring in, going for walks, journaling, listening to music… If you’re struggling – reach out. See a therapist. Talk to your student counsellor. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also lots of Universities and TAFE offer disability services – which includes conditions like Depression and Anxiety. (study) Find the right study space for you. Maybe that’s in your room, or a coffee shop, or the library. Some people find that noise helps; other people not so much. If you like particular kinds of noise, you can find ‘coffee shop’ noise or ‘rain sounds’ to help concentrate. Make a plan. It helps to do it often so it becomes a habit. Anytime you get a due date, write it down. Maybe you could use a diary, planner, bullet journal or an app. I find the 30/30 App helpful - study for a bit and then break for a bit. You can also get add-on’s for your computer to block sites like Facebook if you find them too distracting. Find out what study technique works for you. Do you like cue cards? Mind maps? Colour coding? Does highlighting stuff help you remember? Charts, maps, diagrams? Recorded lectures? Goals! These are so important – not just writing down deadlines but rewarding yourself for meeting them. Even making smaller goals like ‘read two pages from a textbook’ can help. Break it down into bite size pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself after!

Sophie_M NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first
  • replies: 0

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindfu... View more

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this forum is a space for younger people to connect and provide peer support for each other. 2. Content from this sub-forum is displayed on both the beyondblue and youthbeyondblue websites. 3. Please bear in mind that some members find content relating to suicide and/or self-harm distressing or triggering. If you would like to post on these topics, please do so in our Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm section. Please see also our guidelines for making posts on this topic. Posts made here in the Young People sub-forum containing content relating to suicide and/or self-harm will be moved. 4. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straightaway. Information on how our system works can be found here. Being familiar with our community rules can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. 5. This is a peer support community, and to get the best out of being here we recommend that you 'give support to receive support'. More on how that works here.

All discussions

TheConnoisseur Feeling hollow
  • replies: 0

Let's list them off shall we;I'm highly anxious atm for a number reason such as I'm under two months to being 18 and had a job actually sprung on me without warning by my father ( get your resume, this is where you will have to work). I did my first ... View more

Let's list them off shall we;I'm highly anxious atm for a number reason such as I'm under two months to being 18 and had a job actually sprung on me without warning by my father ( get your resume, this is where you will have to work). I did my first shift without trouble due to experience home cooking (jobs at subway) I was feeling mostly emotionally disconnected until the end where I picked up my paperwork and was slammed with anxiety of many things such as worrying how much of my life was now going to be sucked up by this unwanted job. Logic states that it alright to be anxious and just to follow through but the ripples on the water per se spoke differently. This feeling ate away at me for a while then subsided but after my second shift it returned as I awaited my roster. The roster took ages so I relaxed however I continuously have been having suicidal thoughts and have been struggling at times to connect with reality. What doesn't help is that there appears to be no further shifts scheduled according to the app but I don't if there is something must do. What also doesn't help is that my sessions with a counsellor are finishing up and I can't get in contact with him rn. I'm just really feeling so empty and lifeless like I'm already dead.

kittyclaws23 How to drift away from certain friends
  • replies: 1

Hello, this is my first time posting so bear with me please ヾ(゚д゚)ノ゛ Since the school holidays are almost up and I'm starting year 11, I find myself realising that a certain group of friends that I hang out with aren't really a good influence on me. ... View more

Hello, this is my first time posting so bear with me please ヾ(゚д゚)ノ゛ Since the school holidays are almost up and I'm starting year 11, I find myself realising that a certain group of friends that I hang out with aren't really a good influence on me. Admittedly, I did have an argument with one of the members, but it was over something really petty and they haven't really seemed to let go of it, I heard from an ex group member that they have a habit of doing this. I don't want to hurt any of their feelings, but at the same time I feel like no matter how hard I try I cannot distance myself from them. I already deleted discord which they talk on, and messages as well. Maybe I am being too avoidant, but I really don't know what to do, I just cannot match their energy. But the thing is, since its only 2 years left should I even bother, half of that friend group is graduating this year and the others are graduating at the same time as me. I feel as though I am stuck in the middle, either cutting them off brutally or waiting the two years. The worse part is, I am still friends with my ex situationship, while there is no bad blood between us, because I'm friends with him I am still friends with that group by default and since they are in half my classes I have no idea what to do. Any tips or advice would be really welcome!

Ellaminowpea Strategies for when overwhelmed
  • replies: 2

Does anyone know ways to calm myself down when I'm feeling irritable or how to make myself feel less sad for no reason? I'm a teen, and I know that being emotional and irritable are normal, but sometimes these feelings overwhelm me, and that makes th... View more

Does anyone know ways to calm myself down when I'm feeling irritable or how to make myself feel less sad for no reason? I'm a teen, and I know that being emotional and irritable are normal, but sometimes these feelings overwhelm me, and that makes the feelings ten times worse. Is there anything I can do to calm down?

crazy_empanada I really hate myself
  • replies: 6

Hi,I just needed to tell anyone that i really hate myself so much. I eat right (don't eat sugar/processed foods, eat fruit,veggies,protein, etc.) but have never lost any weight, I'm just ugly in general, my personality is horrible and I pretty much j... View more

Hi,I just needed to tell anyone that i really hate myself so much. I eat right (don't eat sugar/processed foods, eat fruit,veggies,protein, etc.) but have never lost any weight, I'm just ugly in general, my personality is horrible and I pretty much just hate myself, both how i look and act.I also don't have any close friends and am not allowed to see the school counsellor (my parents don't 'believe' in mental health issues), but i think i ended up with depression. I end up alone at school a bunch, my parents pretty much don't notice me until i do something wrong, and just really don't like my life.Sorry to rant, just needed to say this.

MacJS I hate school, I'm writing this because I feel like I can't talk to anyone anymore
  • replies: 10

I never thought I would want to drop out of school, and I'm only 14. School is getting harder and harder and I'm not talking about the work, I'm naturally smart and I'm a really good student. I'm just so sick of school, it makes me wanna die everyday... View more

I never thought I would want to drop out of school, and I'm only 14. School is getting harder and harder and I'm not talking about the work, I'm naturally smart and I'm a really good student. I'm just so sick of school, it makes me wanna die everyday. I feel like I'm wasting my youth by going to school until I turn 18, I hate my teachers and I hate everybody. I used to LOVE school, I use to be excited to go to school everyday until last year, I don't really know why I think and act like this now. I guess I've lost movtivation and don't know what I'm doing anymore, I also think I'm not really allowed to think like this since I'm only 14. I don't know what I wanna do with my life either or what direction I wanna go. I want to do certain things but my insecurity makes me feel like I won't be good enough. I feel like my friends hate me and I think I got a real problem going on and I'm not 100% sure on what to do about it. I'm starting to become real rude to my teachers and authorities and not paying attention in class anymore, I feel like if I continue doing this I'm ultimately gonna turn out to be a lazy person with no life or job when I'm older. I always feel tired and agitated, I'm unorganised and I just want to disappear, not die but disappear. Thanks for reading, I would love to hear other people's opinions and tips on what to do

Guest_28109914 Isolated
  • replies: 1

The only person who ever cared about me is my mum. She has just been diagnosed with dementia. I’m devastated. I’m worried about what will happen to her. I’m also worried about me. No one else loves me.

The only person who ever cared about me is my mum. She has just been diagnosed with dementia. I’m devastated. I’m worried about what will happen to her. I’m also worried about me. No one else loves me.

ElderberryHamster Lack of motivation in life, inability to look after myself, clean, eat, wash belongings
  • replies: 14

Hi All! I am new here and had a search through the forum but could not find what I was looking for, so apologies if I am repeating a topic covered. I have been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression previously, and although I am feeling much bett... View more

Hi All! I am new here and had a search through the forum but could not find what I was looking for, so apologies if I am repeating a topic covered. I have been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression previously, and although I am feeling much better now than a few years ago and have a will to live and succeed, I find it difficult to look after myself. I live out of home and can keep a job (I'm in my mid twenties) but I just can't get myself organised. I was just wondering if other people found it hard to look after themselves. I always try and get all excited and start up a new regime of how I am going to eat well and be productive but it never seems to happen. I regularly skip meals because I don't have the energy to cook, or the motivation. I go on shopping sprees and buy the food and then just end up throwing it out because it goes bad. I often just et snacks because I don't have to prepare anything. I also smoke heavily so that I stop feeling hungry, because that is easier than feeding myself. I can't see the floor of my room or any surfaces. I just don't seem to be able to clean up after myself and then I find my room causes me anxiety and makes me upset. I can only keep the other areas of my house clean because I don't want to annoy my housemate. I don't seem to be able to do it for myself. I avoid having people over because I find my room so embarrassing (the same thing happens in my car and handbag). My room fills up with rubbish and dirty dishes. I go on a cleaning spree sometimes, but the next day I am back to dumping things on the floor! I just seem to procrastinate everything in my life. I can have a whole week off and just spend it sleeping in till the afternoon or watching TV all day. I don't go to the shops until they are almost shut just because it takes me that long to get out of the house. I can make it to work on time, but I cannot time manage for myself. Only when someone else makes me. I am always late to things (significantly) and this frustrates everyone (including myself!). I want to change, but all these things in my life just seem too hard. I can have washing build up for months! I just don't know why I have no motivation and can't seem to get any. I'm not sure if this is linked to my history of anxiety and depression or if it is something else. I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms and if they had found a way to overcome them. Thank you for your help.

Z_BB Failing Uni
  • replies: 3

I started my dream uni course in 2023. After completing a bridging course in 2022 to gain entry into my dream course. I unfortunately failed a subject in my 1st year and had to repeat it in my 2nd year. I once again failed it in my 2nd attempt and wa... View more

I started my dream uni course in 2023. After completing a bridging course in 2022 to gain entry into my dream course. I unfortunately failed a subject in my 1st year and had to repeat it in my 2nd year. I once again failed it in my 2nd attempt and was academically excluded from the university. Ever since my mental health has been awful. I feel like such a failure and I have been lying to everyone around me because I’m too embarrassed to say I failed twice. It was my dream course and I did really enjoy the content but I just honestly couldn’t keep up with the workload and had a lot of personal issues going on that affected me mentally. I’m feeling overwhelmed with the fear of what to do next with my life. I’m not sure if I should find another course at another university and try again or if I should look at different options, but I feel like i have wasted the last 3 years of my life working towards my uni goal, just to chuck it away. All of my friends/partner have already graduated and have their life figured out. I’m getting to the point in my life where I’m 23 and I’m worried that starting a new 4-year course will set my whole life plans back and I still won’t have anything figured out by the time I’m 30. I don’t know what to do. I’d love to hear some other people’s stories about finding success and their right path! At the moment I’m feeling like such a failure and cannot see a further for myself..

Unigurl18 University stress
  • replies: 5

So I’m 18 years old and just completed my first semester of university (I was a mid year start due to mental health problems) I have failed one of my topics (it was an option topic) and am currently sitting on a GPA of 4.33. I am really spinning out ... View more

So I’m 18 years old and just completed my first semester of university (I was a mid year start due to mental health problems) I have failed one of my topics (it was an option topic) and am currently sitting on a GPA of 4.33. I am really spinning out because initially, the degree I’m in doesn’t really have a set career path. Also I’m not even sure whether I can get my GPA up and do well in my topics. I’m terrified of disappointing my parents further because they are paying for my degree, which I am so thankful for. I don’t know what to do, and I’m terrified that this failure with my gpa will follow me around and permanently impact my career and internship options. I’m really just looking for some advice about what I should be doing. Thank you

Shelbelle I have no friends
  • replies: 1

Well if you couldn't guess by the title i have no friends, well i have 2 friends. I just finished year 9 and am part of a pretty big friend group, on the last day of school they all went to maccas and i was the only one not invited, they all tried to... View more

Well if you couldn't guess by the title i have no friends, well i have 2 friends. I just finished year 9 and am part of a pretty big friend group, on the last day of school they all went to maccas and i was the only one not invited, they all tried to blame me because 'i left the group chat' but no one tried to tell me, and i left the chat because it was all wildly inappropriate stuff that i just didn't want to deal with. So when i asked someone to add me back and confront them about it they all blamed me for not being in the group chat and it's not like i would win an argument against 15 other people. Then they removed me from the group chat and they were all mocking me and saying 'ding dong the witch is dead' like i was the problem. Then like 4 people private message me and say it to my face. One of the boys Maddox is in another group chat with me and Tessa and he just started ignoring us, and he got mad at me asking about maccas the day of and i got mad at him for making it seem like i knew about it the whole time and chose not to come so i unadded him. Anyways he kept ignoring us and i was like this is like no i am not doing this so tonight when he responeded to something tessa posted i said 'Omg u actually responded,stop pretending that "not having an input" or "reading it too late" is a valid excuse. If you cared even a little, you’d make the effort to engage or at least acknowledge me instead of letting me feel ignored. Saying nothing at all repeatedly just shows you don’t value me or my presence. And now you want to twist it around and say, "this is why I don’t respond"? That’s such a weak excuse. The so-called "backhanded remarks" you’re accusing me of making are just me standing up for myself because of how you’ve treated me. If you’re so quick to cut me out and use that as justification for being removed from the group chat, maybe you should think about why this all happened in the first place. If this is how you define friendship, then no wonder things fell apart.' and then he left the chat apparently after saying some hurtful stuff but i didn't open it because i was ignoring him the same he ignored me. But it was a 3 person group chat and neither tessa or i have any other friends to add to it so it's back to being just us. And tessa is supposed to just be finishing year 8 and my other friend izzy i can't tell anything because she is in yr 10 and severely depressed and i don't want to make it worse so. Sorry about the rant.