Young people

Pinned discussions

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 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!

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 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

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Overload. I don't know what to do.

replies: 3

This is my first time writing on a forum and I don't really know what to say. What I am about to write are things I haven't spoken about to anyone because I don't know how to and just don't feel comfortable doing so. I am a very quiet and sensitive person who bottles up their emotions. I don't know how to let them out to talk to people and this make me feel helpless. I feel like there are so many things happening to me right now I don't know where to start or what to say. I am currently studying and have exams starting next week. At the moment I am meant to be studying but I can't concentrate at all and keep procrastinating. This has been happening to me for a long time and I can't get myself motivated to study even though it is the opportunity for me to achieve my dream job. I have negative thoughts about my grades and don't have any hope for myself passing; the trigger was when I received a mark below 50% for an assignment, which I still haven’t told my parents about. I try to avoid my work and therefore contact friends to keep my mind off everything that is bothering me. I feel like my brain is in overdrive as I am constantly over thinking ever situation. It is hard for me to clear my mind and the only way I could do that was if I went to the beach, the gym, rode my bike or went for walks, but now all of that seems too hard for me to do. I am constantly tired and feel drained. I can't sleep and some nights I stay up for hours or I wake up constantly during the night. I have also woken up in regards to uni work being due and thinking that I have missed the due date for assessments. I was seeing someone for a month but then things were agreed to be left and we would continue being friends. He is now overseas but I haven't heard from him since he left and neither have his friends. He was the only person I could talk to... I could tell him anything, like how I felt and things that were bothering me and were on my mind.. I can’t tell others these things because I don’t feel like I can and since he’s been away, I feel like this is when I've needed him the most. I don’t know what to do, I'm very worried and stressed about everything... even little things bother me. I just need some help and guidance into what I can do. My main priority is studying, sitting and passing my exams to then enjoy a good break.

Please Help Me

replies: 2

Hi, so I have an amazing long distance boyfriend that I have met 2 times already, and we have been together for more than a year. The problem is that I have a problem with lying.. And I have talked to someone and tried to stop (I have gotten better), but every once in a while something comes out without me thinking, and then my boyfriend freaks out and doesn't trust me, because of all the lies I have told him. None of them have been about big things, just small white lies, but in the past recent months, he has started to become depressed because of them. At times he has told me that I don't appreciate/love him enough (I thought I do/say many loving things to him and about what he does for me, I tell him sweet things every day and whenever he does something romantic is makes me so happy) or I can't stop lying. He tells me "if you really loved me you would stop lying and treat me better", and I am trying to be better because I truly love him with all of my heart, but it is hard. Because of all of these things he has become depressed and it sucks because we are long distance and I am not there to help him through it. The most recent thing that pushed him past the edge was because I wouldn't facetime him in the car with a girl on my dance team and her parents in the car with me (they drove me home after a football game we performed at). It made me uncomfortable to call him, when I'm not that good friends with the girl, plus her parents were there. Because I wouldn't call him, he thinks that I'm embarrassed of him, which is not the case at all, but I believe that is the depression talking. Anyways, do any of you guys have any tips for me on how I can help my boyfriend deal with the depression, being so far away? I want him to know that I am there for him, but he is pushing me away and I don't want that to happen, especially since we are long distance and I am not able to watch him and make sure he is okay. By the way, I am 15 and he is 16, he is too young to be going through this and I really want to be able to help him, because he won't tell his mom, because he knows if he tells her it is because of me, she will make him break up with me. He doesn't want that to happen because he loves me, but is always getting hurt by the things I do. Is there any tips on how I can act better to be able to show him my love?

Im going up and down

replies: 2

My moods are just jumping around realky bad and its really stressing me out. I recently posted a vent on this Forum and a few days after replied that I now understand what i need to do and all that. But since then I have hit a real slump. One of the problems I am having is that when I am with my friends its fine. But whenever the event comes to a close I just feel like dirt. For example today I went to the beach with friends and about 20 mins before we were leaving i just switched from laughing and kicking a ball to wanting to yell at the top of my lungs. I dont know if this is pathetic or obsession or whatever. But one of my friends i have very strong feelings for her and she put me in the friendzone (i asked her out). I understand, but i think this is one of the main reasons I get so down. It really hurts everytime I talk to her or drop her off home. I look at myself and know that I need to get a grip but it really hurts. I have been thinking about cutting contact with her, but at the same time, she is my oldest friend and i feel like it is selfish and bad to just stop talking to her. But at the same time, i might need to for my own health. I think I have an underlying depression that can be suppressed for very short periods of time. But then it just comes back in the afternoon. It stops me from sleeping. I want to get into hobbies, but I cant get a job anywhere to pay for them no matter how hard i try. I have no idea what I want to do with my future and i think i am freaking out. I hate going to uni and it just makes me not want to get out of bed. I am just a real mess right now. In simple terms, I feel like I have literaly zero value as a person. I would like to hear suggestions on what I can do. I have tried counsellors and medication but they never helped me. Im starting to get a little scared because this is becoming a recurring thing. Also im starting to enjoy being with friends less and less. I feel like they leave me out of things and dont even notice when they do it. I dont talk to family because they constantly start arguements and pick on me, people at uni dont talk to me and my friends ignore me. I dont get it,i try to make conversation and be well mannered around people. I just dont get why everyone I know does this to me.

Dealing with depression and wrote this poem. Hope it can help someone feel better :)

replies: 5

Peace is the sunshine, peace is the rain Peace is the joy, and peace is the pain Peace is the love that you feel in your heart Peace is the love thats been there from the start Peace is the gift we all have, to forgive Peace is understanding, were all still figuring out how to live Peace is letting go, and letting your heart grow Peace is in the moment, where you always can go Peace is in the flowers, the birds song so sweet Peace is the present, where your feet and earth meetPeace is letting go, of your past pain and sorrow Peace is letting go, of your fears for tomorrow Peace is in a smile, in a breath of fresh air Peace is inside you, it's always been there

new and needing help

replies: 1

Hi guys, Been thinking of joining this for a while now but my feelings have been getting worse and now i feel its time. Just needing help with the feelings of hopelessness and uselessness, i just want to be a happy 20 year old like all my friends. im at this stage now where i feel that everything i do istn good enough, i have no confidence and i just want it back. hope this helps

Scared of medication

replies: 4

I've been having issues with depression and anxiety for a number of years now (5ish years) and spent three years talking to a psychologist and really haven't come out feeling better. I finished up seeing her right before I graduated from high school (she went to have a baby, so no real choice) and haven't been seeing anyone since then (October 2014). I went to the doctors a few months ago and got another referral to go back to her, but had kind of decided I didn't want to go anymore. It made me anxious and for some reason I just couldn't quite handle the idea of going. So flash forward a few months and I went to the doctors today and was prescribed with medication to try and help. For some reason, the idea of taking the medication scares me. I can't pinpoint why, I don't think its side effects, I think it might be to do with the fact that I'm not really 'normal' and that medication seems to be the way to fix that. I'm not sure, it's just freaking me out a bit..... But apart from that I have a few questions: 1. I'm scared? I don't know what to do about that or how to make myself feel better about that? 2. The doctor kept saying it would make me feel 'normal', how do I know what 'normal' is in order to communicate that the medication is working? (I have to go back in four weeks) 3. Is there anything I should be doing alongside the medication to 'help' it? Like things with diet/exercise that has helped people? I'm pretty new to the idea of medicating this and am still coming to terms with it all, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance x

Derealisation- struggling with reality

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am a young person suffering with my mental health. I have experienced psychotic episodes before and for the past year I have been experiencing what I think is a form of derealisation. It is quite scary.. And at times very difficult to cope with. Sometimes just making it through the day is an accomplishment. I am currently taking antipsychotics but unsure if they are working effectively. I notice the world around me differently to how I use to and I sometimes feel overwhelmed in a busy setting.. I can see movement all around me happening and notice every detail, every flinch. If that makes sense. I tend to think about what I am going through a lot which probably makes things worse. It's difficult having something wrong with your mind and having to put on a brave face everyday when no one knows what your dealing with.. I am only young and I have so many dreams and aspirations for my life I don't want to be set back by my mental state. I think the hardest part is just focusing on the now and present moment and not worrying about what lies ahead. Is anybody else having a similar experience? Feel free to pass on some wisdom or support to me it would be very appreciated. Thanks

Scared of the side effects

replies: 2

Hello. I am currently studying for my final exam (HSC) and my doctor prescribed me with a new antidepressants. I have taken antidepressants before and the side effects was absolutely terrible to the point where I got a heart attack. I am afraid that this new antidepressants will cause me to have side effects during the exam which is in a week. I worried because the most common side effects is headche and increased thoughts on suicide.

Help

replies: 2

I was seeing a guy for 5 weeks and I developed really strong feelings for him. He was really keen on me too and pursued me, held my hand as we walked, cooked me a dinner, always kissed me and acted like we would become gf and bf. then he tells me he doesn't want a long term relationship and just wants to have fun but that contradicted everything he had been doing and what he told mutual friends just days before. He said all was going well and as soon as I said something about cuddles and kisses he freaked. i was finally happy that I had met someone I liked and then he hit me with that and made me feel like there's something wrong with me. He told me I'm nice and pretty and sweet and fun etc and that he does like me and is attracted to me but he doesn't 'get the feeling' that it could work out long term. i don't even know what that means when he acted like all was fine and how can you even know what will happen in the long term i haven't been able to eat or go to work. He made me feel loved and good enough and now I feel like I'm not

Difficulty thinking positively, lack of friends, etc.

replies: 2

Recently, my parents have noticed that I have a tendency to take everything negatively, from the smallest criticism to the slightest mistake. Everything I don't do 100% correct is a waste of time, a redundant effort, a stupid move on my part. My parents try to give my advice, but my brain interprets that as a personal attack against me, and I get really defensive. I tried to talk to my dad about it yesterday, and he listened, but he doesn't really get it. I find that's a problem with almost everyone I open up to: they don't understand how my mind works. I don't want to see everything as a negative, but I also don't want to be lost in a fantasy world of happiness and ignore everything else. I see all of these articles saying 'love yourself' or 'be yourself', but I don't know how to do those things, and the instructions just repeat the same thing over and over again. On another note, at school, I have 2 people who I'd consider friends, but I don't see them all too often. There are other people I hang out with, but only within school-hours. I tried to join a group that already had about 8 people in it, and I kept on getting drowned out, so I stopped meeting with them. I want to make more friends, but groups have already been established, and I feel that if I try to wedge my way into these groups, I'll just be seen as a nuisance. There's hardly anyone else who shares my interests, either, so I just sit by myself in breaks. I'm also going to be in year 12 soon, so I'm cautious and wary about making friends, since university is just over one year away, and that means the any friends I make could be lost by then. I don't make friends too easily, but I also can't remember how I became friends with the 2 I have now. It's like it just happened. I also don't like to just approach people, because I feel that I'm intruding and unwanted. The school holidays also end this Tuesday, but because current year 12 students are sitting their final exams, there will only be this year's year 11 students at school this term. I know that these are really minor problems, but I express myself through writing/typing better than I do with words.

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

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

Overload. I don't know what to do. replies: 3

Please Help Me replies: 2

Im going up and down replies: 2

Dealing with depression and wrote this poem. Hope it can help someone feel better :) replies: 5

new and needing help replies: 1

Scared of medication replies: 4

Derealisation- struggling with reality replies: 2

Scared of the side effects replies: 2

Help replies: 2

Difficulty thinking positively, lack of friends, etc. replies: 2