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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.

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Anonymouspotato Sudden but short bursts of sadness and anger
  • replies: 3

Hi, I feel like I need to get things off my chest and don't know whether I have mild depression or not. I'm currently finishing university after a long struggle, having failed subjects before and on the brink of getting kicked out. However I had mana... View more

Hi, I feel like I need to get things off my chest and don't know whether I have mild depression or not. I'm currently finishing university after a long struggle, having failed subjects before and on the brink of getting kicked out. However I had managed to barely pull myself together. While this was going on, my parents had split up and then a few months later got back together. During these periods I had been feeling extremely lethargic and fatigued every other day, no energy and helpless that everything was out of control. However when I passed subjects they would go away for a time and I was feeling ok. However the feelings have come back due to a sinister turn of events. In an exam yesterday I was charged with academic misconduct due to a supervisor finding notes on my body. Beforehand I had thoroughly ensured I had no notes on me whatsoever. I have been offered a job starting next year which depends on me graduating...so why on earth would I jeopardize myself like this? I had already passed 50% of the subject beforehand as well. The only thing I conclude is that someone blackmailed me. I had a lot of disagreements and conflicts working with other people in this subject during the semester in assignments, but don't want to jump to conclusions as to who would want to blackmail me like this. Now my job is on the line and I may not be able to graduate this year, I am feeling so upset and frustrated with myself, and also extremely hopeless I can't do anything. I haven't been able to think straight and can't bring myself to think of anything else but this, which brings more misery and sadness. I'm sorry for ranting but had to get it off my chest. Is there anything I can do to fix my screwed up, depressed head? Thank you.

Countrymusicgirl feeling numb when sick.
  • replies: 3

It wasn't until recently I got sick with the chickenpox. After being sick with the pox I started to feel numb all my emotions were gone and I felt alive again. I liked it. Now im back to feeling overwhelmed, depressed and anxious worthless etc. Am I ... View more

It wasn't until recently I got sick with the chickenpox. After being sick with the pox I started to feel numb all my emotions were gone and I felt alive again. I liked it. Now im back to feeling overwhelmed, depressed and anxious worthless etc. Am I the only one who feels alot better when I'm sick? Or is this normal ​

Playahata123 Introducing Myself :)))
  • replies: 4

Gday, Ill try to make this short. Im a 21 year old male. I like my looks, my family, my lifestyle.. i hate my introverted personality and anxiety. I have few problems in my life aside from anxiety which causes alot of other problems. I am always anxi... View more

Gday, Ill try to make this short. Im a 21 year old male. I like my looks, my family, my lifestyle.. i hate my introverted personality and anxiety. I have few problems in my life aside from anxiety which causes alot of other problems. I am always anxious. As if there is danger all around me. My life feels like treading through an active minefield. Tracing back in primary school I was fairly timid kid. My father is an intellectual, kind man who has never really wronged anyone ever and is successful too. My mother is the complete opposite, as children she would fly off the handle whenever it got too much. If she came home from work and my brother spilled some milk it would be the straw which broke the camels back and nobody would get any peace for 2 hours. She would yell at me in a language i didnt understand (greek) and give me really guilty looks. My mother is intense. I am in no doubt that there is nobody on this planet she couldnt take on. However the next day she would always apologise profusely and tell you how lucky she was to have us. Also when she was not going crazy she is actually a very nice person, quiet intelligent and hard working. Neither of my parent have any problems other than my mother and her ability to go ballistic. Once in highschool I remember being bullied a bit. I had an specially hard time in year 9 when people would bully me and laugh. I never felt any anger towards these people. The worst part of it was that I saw disrespect towards me as a contagion. Like a disease if someone witnessed me being bullied, they would think that it was okay for them to then give me slack. So this was why I hated it and stayed away from the loud kids who would joke and call people names. In year 10 -12 I hid behind the cool kids who I hung out with. They organised the social events, I felt safe in the group as I felt people would respect me and couldnt bully me so id look weak. Once i left school i developed a panic attack disorder where trying not to look nervous my fight or flight would constantly trigger leaving me exausted and confused. This high level of anxiety i experiences led to me dropping out of university and since all that it has spirralled badly. Only now since starting to understand what im going through have i seen any improvement at all :(. Damn that was longer than i wanted it to be. Anyway if anyone gets to read this your honest opinions are appreciated.

Alec29 I Hate myself, im lonely & Positivity makes me uncomfortable
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I have always had low self esteem since i was a young child and I always feel like im not good enough or that im stupid and worthless and I feel like a burden to others that i deserve nothing and am more trouble than im worth, I always ha... View more

Hi everyone I have always had low self esteem since i was a young child and I always feel like im not good enough or that im stupid and worthless and I feel like a burden to others that i deserve nothing and am more trouble than im worth, I always have had a bad relationship with my dad and he was emotionally abusive (sometimes physically) and has a hard time controlling anger. I see a psychologist and we are working on my self esteem but i hate it she tries to prove to me that im not stupid and it makes me feel horrid I hate it trying to be happy and positive and to like myself make me feel very uncomfortable and when other such as my friends and psychologist say im not stupid or that i did a good job i resent them and think they are full of Bull***t and I think I like being negative it feels normal and I feel silly trying to be positive and doing all that positive self talk Erhgh it makes me feel real bad and I just find happiness and optimism in general to be irritating i know i should be positive but i cant do it and i dont deserve it, i have spent so long hating myself that i cant do anything about it and its not going to work. For years everyones been telling me to be positive but i cant do it it just isnt me. I really dont enjoy going to my psychologist appointment i just cringe the whole way through and feel bad and awkward and I dont want to feel like I do but I feel if i felt any other way it would be wrong. i also have a difficult time talking about my strengths and feel stupid if i say or think something is a strength of mine. My self esteem and general unhappiness is causing me so much trouble its stoping me doing my assignments i will sit down and try yo do them but i physically cant think of what to write and i have a mental block and spend the rest of the night crying about how dumb i am i also get angry very easily and I take it out on others and if i feel bad im mean to others and It makes me feel better and I know thats bad. sorry for the rant I dont want to feel like this but am struggling

A_93 "Online" Girl Thoughts
  • replies: 3

Hi all, So, I've been heavily invested in an online mobile game for about 1.5 years now. At the start of this year (8 months ago), I met this girl on there which we hit off straight away. We got along extremely well, and we were constantly talking on... View more

Hi all, So, I've been heavily invested in an online mobile game for about 1.5 years now. At the start of this year (8 months ago), I met this girl on there which we hit off straight away. We got along extremely well, and we were constantly talking on a daily basis. For the most part, I didn't think much of it, as it was "just a game". But the more we talked and connected, the more I fell attracted to her. When I met her, I found out she has an "online boyfriend", where they have known each other for 4+ years through another game. It wasn't only until ~4 months ago, my feelings for her got the better of me. I felt like we were dating ourselves; sending good morning/night messages, hearts/hugs/kisses, *mild photos, saying how much we miss and 'luv' each other, and even talking about meeting each other and *cuddling together. Just recently we also spoke on the phone for the first time. This has been an on-going thing for about 5 months now. I felt happy. I felt like I was really there with her. I felt like I wanted her to be the one. But the realisation of her having this 'boyfriend' caught up to me. Just recently (about a month ago), she's been mentioning him a lot, showing a lot of distance, and severely toned down the level of affection. I did ask her why she was showing the distance, to receive the answer of it just being herself being busy, and nothing of it. Things did get better after this, but we still haven't achieved the same level of affection. Anyways, I know it's not my place to interfere with another relationship, and it's probably my own fault for getting so stuck up in this fantasy world, that now my own world and mind feels so corrupt, I'm losing sleep over it. I extremely like this person, and I still feel like we get along like no one I've ever connected with before. It affects me on a personal level. I lose sleep over it. I feel lonely when I don't hear from her. I feel like I've invested so much into this, I can't ever let her go. I know it sounds so selfish, but dam. Cliche as anything, but she stole my heart, and now I'm feeling more in the dumps than ever. All advice welcome.

Jasmine97 Trapped
  • replies: 2

I'm not sure what I'm going through but I'm not happy or coping well and I haven't been for years. It's a constant struggle trying to be happy with myself where I am in my life and wanting to change but not feeling worth the trouble. Everyday I feel ... View more

I'm not sure what I'm going through but I'm not happy or coping well and I haven't been for years. It's a constant struggle trying to be happy with myself where I am in my life and wanting to change but not feeling worth the trouble. Everyday I feel like everyone is better then me and it makes me feel worthless thinking that way but it's so hard to stop. I've tried to seek help but it failed I've come to a point where I just don't know what to do anymore I just feel like I'm wasting everyone's time.. Can someone please give me some advice

ZyGirl_DogLvr3 Deteriorating Mental Health and Family Struggles
  • replies: 4

It's the hardest time of my life since my Depression is worse than ever. Adjusting meds and (emotional) stress has taken it's huge toll on me and my family. I can hardly function and am basically 'home-bound' until I get a little better. My mother wo... View more

It's the hardest time of my life since my Depression is worse than ever. Adjusting meds and (emotional) stress has taken it's huge toll on me and my family. I can hardly function and am basically 'home-bound' until I get a little better. My mother works and isn't available to take care of me unless she's home and when she is, we set each other off due to her extreme stress and my extreme emotional instability. it's been really tough lately because she is stressed to her maximum capacity due to taking care of my grandmother who has broken her shoulder, my severely handicapped sister and doing important work-related tasks while I am here alone (with loving pets <3) more ill than I have ever been and I feel like I am a big load on her too. She is basically looking after everyone else since my grandparents won't get home care and it is really difficult and rare to get a couple days respite from my sister. I'm quite worried & concerned about how I'm supposed to look after myself while I'm this severely mentally incapacitated while trying my hardest not to drive Mum mad as well. ADVICE PLEASE

Bonanza15 Gambling Problem
  • replies: 6

Hey guys, I am a 20 year old university student. Over the past 12 months I have found myself struggling with a gambling problem of which I have not really thought of as a problem until recently. Regularly over the past 12 months I have found myself t... View more

Hey guys, I am a 20 year old university student. Over the past 12 months I have found myself struggling with a gambling problem of which I have not really thought of as a problem until recently. Regularly over the past 12 months I have found myself to gamble all my money away until I have $0 in my account. I have found myself hiding my gambling from everyone and locking myself away in a room just to gamble. I find myself gambling just for the sake of gambling now, once I open up a gambling app I am stuck on it for the rest of the day. I am yet to tell anyone about this problem until now after I have once again gambled all my money away. I am not sure whether there is a term for this problem I have as it seems us such a easy thing to overcome however I cant seem to. I also find myself trying to act happy and putting on a happy frontier amongst my peers however I feel recently many of them have started to pick up on my lowness. I find myself not entering into deep conversations ever, often resorting to humour and sarcasm as a way to put of talking about emotions and problems. Thankyou everyone for listening and reading.

pommie_s Can anyone help me?
  • replies: 3

i have not long moved over here from England, and while being in England, i use to find it fairly hard to sleep, but now i am here, i am just full of panic and anxiety, and i'm finding it hard to sleep. i can't sleep at night as my mind just wonders ... View more

i have not long moved over here from England, and while being in England, i use to find it fairly hard to sleep, but now i am here, i am just full of panic and anxiety, and i'm finding it hard to sleep. i can't sleep at night as my mind just wonders about stupid things that i have done, and i always get really paranoid, but then when it comes to the day, i tend to sleep quite a bit which is breaking our family apart as i am always getting moaned at because i am asleep during the day, which then just escalates other arguments between the family. The arguments mixed with the deprivation of sleep is only making it worse, so i was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to help me sleep at night. i have tried sleeping piils, but the ones that i have used don't do anything, can anyone help?

Rock Terrified of starting art class!
  • replies: 3

So tomorrow will be my first day attending an art class. It's just a small group of 10-20 people but I'm still so nervous and I have so much self doubt. I've done art my whole life but the truth is I'm not really very good. There are people there you... View more

So tomorrow will be my first day attending an art class. It's just a small group of 10-20 people but I'm still so nervous and I have so much self doubt. I've done art my whole life but the truth is I'm not really very good. There are people there younger than me (13-16) and I'm scared that they'll be amazing compared to me and I'll feel like a failure and just destroy myself from the inside out. I know this is ridiculous but I have some serious social anxiety. I can't hold up a conversation, I'm ugly, and weird, and awkward and not even that skilled! Last night I started cramming art practice as dark came around and I started panicking. I literally haven't talked to any unfamiliar people for years and I don't know how to do it. I'm worried about looking dumb and being the worst in class. I guess I just want some advice on how to calm down. (Or get amazing a drawing within 24 hours. Just kidding! Heh heh...heh... ;-;)