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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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BeautifulHorse I'm homesick and lonely and I feel like I can't tell anyone
  • replies: 3

I've recently 'moved' in with my aunt for a little while, and I miss home. It's very organised and more strict here, I'm not allowed to eat in the lounge room for example, and everything is really... different. And I have to put up with my uncle, who... View more

I've recently 'moved' in with my aunt for a little while, and I miss home. It's very organised and more strict here, I'm not allowed to eat in the lounge room for example, and everything is really... different. And I have to put up with my uncle, who is either annoying or scary. I feel like I'm letting down my guard too much, because when I trust someone they always somehow bite me back. I don't know what to do because they try to be really nice, and it would feel nasty to say anything against that. Sometimes I want to cry, but I don't because I don't want anyone to know I'm upset. I'm not sure if anyone else feels like this and I don't know what to do. It's not healthy to let these sorts of things linger, but I don't really have anyone I feel safe talking to and I can't get out alone to call someone to just talk to.

OceanPhoenix General Venting
  • replies: 3

So recently I have not done any work related to school in a week and I'm always stuck in bed. It has dawned on me multiple times that I may be very unmotivated but throughout the years I was told I was lazy so I struggle to tell the difference. I'm s... View more

So recently I have not done any work related to school in a week and I'm always stuck in bed. It has dawned on me multiple times that I may be very unmotivated but throughout the years I was told I was lazy so I struggle to tell the difference. I'm scared that this may persist and eventually, it may lead to me not eating frequently or not attending social gatherings etc. It's also really hard for me to communicate with others I often keep everything bottled up and my whole life I despised leaning on others. To be honest I don't even know why I'm here...Maybe a stranger's advice holds some worth? Maybe to vent? I don't know. I guess I was wondering if anyone out there struggles with differentiating laziness and lack of motivation or being "burnt out" as I do. Also recently I feel rather lonely despite being surrounded by others constantly and more tired than usual. Some days I feel like I'm not heard or no one pays attention to me when I'm usually okay with not being in the center of attention. Lastly, I have been very irritable and I just don't know why as the smallest things set me off whether it's with friends or family. Well, that will be all for now I suppose. Thank you for listening to my venting.

Yes And No I Feel Like I Don't Deserve to be Depressed
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, I have no idea if anybody is going to see this, but I've realised I need help. Sorry in advance if this seems more like a way to get this off of my chest instead of a cry for help or something. My life seems to be ideal, a fair few frien... View more

Hi Everyone, I have no idea if anybody is going to see this, but I've realised I need help. Sorry in advance if this seems more like a way to get this off of my chest instead of a cry for help or something. My life seems to be ideal, a fair few friends, loving parents, top grades at school, but I can't help but hate myself. I was born with a rare genetic condition which effects my appearance in a really negative way, and it makes me feel like I can never be as good as anyone else. I feel like I'll never be loved because of the way I was born, everyone around me is in a stable long term relationship, and I've never experienced the feeling of somebody outside of my family loving me. Everyone I've ever thought I loved has either left or is in a long lasting relationship with a person who's better than me. I feel trapped, like there is nobody I know who I can talk to, I don't bring it up with my parents because even if I bring up something minor I get back the standard "people have it so much worse than you, you should feel lucky that you're as privileged as you are". I have no friends who I can talk to because they either aren't people I trust with my insecurities, or they're going through something so much worse than I am that it would sound more like a complaint than a genuine attempt to get help. I've been considering suicide but I know that I'm too much of a coward to actually go through with it. And through all of this I'm thinking that I'm only doing this for attention, because I don't even have it half as bad as everyone else does, I'm angry with myself for being sad because I know that there are people who are going through worse than I am, and that I can only be thinking these things because everyone else is. Every time I do try to say something people will ask me if I'm OK and even if I say no I don't want to talk about it because I don't want to make them feel worse because they have to bear my problems as well. Somebody I know has attempted suicide on multiple occasions and I fear for her life because I feel like I'm not doing enough to help her, but I can't help her because I don't know how. I'm sorry if this post feels like a mess, it's the first time I've made an effort to reach out to the wider community about my problems, Thanks for reading this, YAN.

Scotty02 Is this normal? Potential health anxiety
  • replies: 3

G’day guys Over a month ago now I woke up one morning feeling pretty serious brain fog (couldn’t concentrate, poor memory and feeling generally ‘off’). This brain fog coincided with never before experienced panic attacks which lasted anywhere between... View more

G’day guys Over a month ago now I woke up one morning feeling pretty serious brain fog (couldn’t concentrate, poor memory and feeling generally ‘off’). This brain fog coincided with never before experienced panic attacks which lasted anywhere between 20-30mins. I am 19 and have never had an issue with my mental health, and now I find myself slowly getting ‘worse’. I constantly hyper-fixate over physical and mental symptoms that I display, and manifest a reason that it could be the start or early onset of something sinister. For example: I go into panic attacks thinking that I’m developing bipolar or schizophrenia, despite not showing any real symptoms. I have begun seeing a psychologist 3 weeks ago to address some issues at home (minor) and started taking antidepressants 4 days ago. As stated, this is all completely new and it’s incredibly frightening. I find it difficult to fall asleep at night, fatigued and constant brain fog. Sometimes I stand up and feel dizzy and have frequent panic attacks, often twice in a day. I spend the whole day worrying that I have a brain tumour or as mentioned, another more chronic mental illness. I’m not sure if that’s how these illnesses start, or if I have health anxiety or even slight OCD. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, wherein symptoms appeared overnight and gradually got worse. Not sure if a formal diagnosis would be beneficial, as I feel the root of my problem is the constant anxiety/ stress that I am developing a ‘chronic’ mental illness. thank you in advance.

eiddesqrd i feel like i don’t belong
  • replies: 6

this is kind of just a rant sorry im really scared to go back to school. there was a mishap last year and i moved from my group that, for the longest time, i thought would be the only group i’d be in. but then i realised i didn’t belong there so i mo... View more

this is kind of just a rant sorry im really scared to go back to school. there was a mishap last year and i moved from my group that, for the longest time, i thought would be the only group i’d be in. but then i realised i didn’t belong there so i moved to the group of my closest friend at school. i really enjoy being there but i feel like im late to the game. these people have had so much time to get closer and im a newcomer. there are smaller groups within this group and honestly, i feel like im not really apart of any of them. i see them in photos together and planning stuff together and i can’t help but just feel like im an afterthought. like im looking through a window at them. i even get jealous when i see my old group going out (which is incredulous to me- i left them! and yet here i am). im really embarrassed about it. i want to find a new group where i feel as though im valued but i don’t know, im nearing the end of high school and it just doesn’t feel worth it. nothing does anymore. maybe i’ll just sit by myself in the library? i don’t know at this point.

Lonelyness I recently found out I have an STI
  • replies: 6

About a week ago I found out my boyfriend gave me herpes. It was an accident of course we are still together going strong but... I'm scared. I've had issues with my self-esteem for years now and only in the last year have I gained any confidence in h... View more

About a week ago I found out my boyfriend gave me herpes. It was an accident of course we are still together going strong but... I'm scared. I've had issues with my self-esteem for years now and only in the last year have I gained any confidence in how I look and who I am, but after this all that work has gone out the window. I feel disgusting in myself and hate myself even more than before. I don't feel like I deserve to have any sort of sex life anymore and the idea of my boyfriend trying to touch me makes me want to cry. I feel like I don't deserve to be treated like a pretty human anymore, just some sort of ugly creature pretending to be human but in reality is still just a creature nobody should think is pretty or hot in any way. I've spent a lot of time crying about all this but I can't think of myself in any other way.

ellierose02 emetophobia (fear of vomiting)
  • replies: 10

My name is Ellie, I'm 16 years old and I've been suffering from severe emetophobia (which is a phobia of vomit, whether it be myself throwing up or watching others throw up) since I was about 9 years old. As long as I can remember I've never liked vo... View more

My name is Ellie, I'm 16 years old and I've been suffering from severe emetophobia (which is a phobia of vomit, whether it be myself throwing up or watching others throw up) since I was about 9 years old. As long as I can remember I've never liked vomit, pretty much the same as everyone else. It wasn't until I was 9 and in school, we had a Christmas party where each student brought in food and we all ate and chatted. I had eaten a little too much and felt uncomfortably full, but not nauseous. One child had eaten too much and threw up. As soon as I saw that I felt an instant panic and started feeling sick myself. Although I didn't throw up I felt nauseous the whole day and my teacher wouldn't let me go home, therefore, worsening the anxiety. Ever since that day I've never let anyone who was sick near me (which I feel horrible about but can't help) I wash my hands all the time and carry around hand sanitiser, and more often than not suffer panic attacks if I feel I've done something that could possibly result in me throwing up. The worst part is my body's reaction to stress is to feel nauseous, so the more I panic, the more I feel nauseous. It's an evil cycle. I get these attacks at any time of day but they occur more in closed spaces where I can't get out eg. cars, buses, trains, concerts etc. It's really ruined my life. I don't feel comfortable eating in restaurants, I sometimes skip meals to avoid food. If anyone has any tips or ideas to help me it would be much appreciated. Thankyou.

Gothamfan Why cant I be happy?
  • replies: 5

This is just a rant abt my feelings and whatever for like 2021 and now 2022 I just don’t feel happy or at least ok school has jsut started back up today and my classes are horrible, I really hope it gets better but I’ve just felt so bad for the past ... View more

This is just a rant abt my feelings and whatever for like 2021 and now 2022 I just don’t feel happy or at least ok school has jsut started back up today and my classes are horrible, I really hope it gets better but I’ve just felt so bad for the past few months, I don’t really have anyone I can talk to This was all over the place and I’m not sure if I said wanted to say but shnwwiqqms I want to hear others experiences and such

ElieAC Is it bad to accept a leg up from your parents??
  • replies: 13

I’ve always been a relatively independent person and at 19 am looking to move out of home but am not eligible for government help and rent isn’t financially accessible. My father has offered to guarantor my lease and I was offered the property but I ... View more

I’ve always been a relatively independent person and at 19 am looking to move out of home but am not eligible for government help and rent isn’t financially accessible. My father has offered to guarantor my lease and I was offered the property but I feel really awful about accepting the help. Likewise, his company offered me part time work which would fit around my studies and I’m struggling to find work at the moment; I don’t know whether to take it. Is it normal to have your parents help you find your feet if they’re able?

ElieAC I don’t think I will ever be independent.
  • replies: 3

I’m 19 and attempting (not well) to become financially independent and make something for myself. I study Nursing at uni and have been told I should be paying for myself and so am trying to work whilst at uni. I’m not exceedingly intelligent and acad... View more

I’m 19 and attempting (not well) to become financially independent and make something for myself. I study Nursing at uni and have been told I should be paying for myself and so am trying to work whilst at uni. I’m not exceedingly intelligent and academia is no strength of mine; as a result, I’m finding I can’t work the hours that are conducive to financial stability if I want the grades that are conducive to success post University. It’s very much a lose-lose situation. Hence, I’m seeking advice. What is the greatest advice you’ve been given on the road to being able to support yourself financially?