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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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bluekangaroo Looking for help on undiagnosed mental health issues
  • replies: 2

Hey Everyone, It's my first time on a forum such as this, so I hope I'm doing the right thing and posting in the right place. I don't know if I'm using the wrong resources here, so if I am and my issues aren't serious enough to be seeking help on thi... View more

Hey Everyone, It's my first time on a forum such as this, so I hope I'm doing the right thing and posting in the right place. I don't know if I'm using the wrong resources here, so if I am and my issues aren't serious enough to be seeking help on this platform, I'd like to apologise in advance. At the end of april/beginning of May, I found myself begin to loose a lot of energy and I was sad every day without reasoning. I felt so down in the dumps and I couldn't explain why. Everyone would tell me there has to be a reason, but I just wasn't all that interested in life anymore and I didn't know why. My boyfriend at the time would be constantly checking up it me, but it would make it really hard when I myself couldn't explain what was wrong or why I was sad. His own mental health issues made him feel useless. This went on for about a month, and at the end of may my boyfriend broke up with me. Here's my main issue - ever since we broke up (and I don't know if thats related, or just a coincidence), I've had a series of panic attacks (at school and work both). The first ever panic attack I had was the night we broke up. The second one, I was in tears for an entire two hours. After that, I lost count. They've sort of died down recently, however, over the past two or so months I've probably experienced a good 6-7 panic attacks. I'm not sure if this is normal or if there is something wrong with me. I guess I would just like to know, should I be taking this more seriously? Or is it just a stupid break up issue? I feel so stupid, I don't even know what is happening most of the time. My ex is my best friend still; I couldn't imagine my life without him. But he can't help me; and I can't even help myself.

bluetime00 lonely hours who tf is up!
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm not used to reaching out to others (which is honestly probably part of my problem), but please bare with me as I'm very new to this whole concept. I'm 20 years old and have been suffering from perpetual and intense loneliness for the past 12 ... View more

Hi, I'm not used to reaching out to others (which is honestly probably part of my problem), but please bare with me as I'm very new to this whole concept. I'm 20 years old and have been suffering from perpetual and intense loneliness for the past 12 months. I have always been quite a sociable person, but suffer from social anxiety and fear that people think I'm boring or not worth their time. After finishing high school I spent a year traveling with some of my closest friends and gained confidence through hanging out with people who were older than me. As time went on a lot of those friendships fell apart and I began to feel very disillusioned and anxious in regards to my social life and place in friendships. Regardless of that fact I continued to go out and remain very close friends with one friend in particular. We did everything together and had since high school. Things then begun to change when she got a boyfriend (I'm aware of how cliche this experience of loneliness is trust me ahah). Nonetheless my friend and I begun hanging out less and I found myself spending the majority of my time alone. I used to be fine spending time by myself but now I find it incredibly isolating and don't know how to overcome this feeling. I also feel desperate constantly asking to hang out with my close friend as she now lives with her boyfriend and he comes to everything we do together. I don't want to come across as spiteful, because I see how happy my friend is in her relationship and I obviously like to know she has someone who cares about her. I feel like I'm surrounded by people in relationships and people who have an abundance of friends which only further perpetuates my feeling of loneliness. Honestly don't know what I'm expecting to get out of this post because I'm not sure what advice I would find useful in this particular situation. If I'm honest I just needed to get this off my chest and attempt to perhaps not feel so lonely lol

Olivia1 Compulsive liar, help!
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone! I'm new here but I just really needed to get this off my chest. I am 17 years old turning 18 in December and I want to try and stop my compulsive lying habit before it gets really out of hand!! Before I discuss that further I want to tel... View more

Hi everyone! I'm new here but I just really needed to get this off my chest. I am 17 years old turning 18 in December and I want to try and stop my compulsive lying habit before it gets really out of hand!! Before I discuss that further I want to tell you a little about me. I suffer from high levels of anxiety. (leading to me trembling and having slight panic attacks) I also experience a roller coaster of different emotions. Sometimes I am happy other times I am in complete lows. I also was diagnosed with Asperger's when I was in year 2 (high functioning) and I struggle fitting in at school. I only have 1 friend and I just can't seem to connect with people my age. Lastly, I was in foster care for the first three years of my life (because my birth parents chose drugs over me) and so that is why I have developed trust issues and anxiety. Ever since I could remember I would lie about the smallest of things. I would do this to get myself out of trouble, or because I was ashamed and wanted to make my parents proud. So I would just lie and because of this I have become so good at lying that I don't even think when I do it. It comes so naturally to me and it makes me feel fake and guilty. Now days I still lie to get me out of trouble, however I am usually caught anyway. And when I am in public I also act like someone I am not, because I hate myself and want to look like a better person to others. Because of my constant lying I have fractured my relationship with my adoptive parents and they can't trust me, when all I want is to make them proud. I feel like such a bad child and such a waste of space. I constantly remind myself of the happiness my family would have had if I wasn't there. And I really don't want to become a person like my birth parents, but sometimes I feel so dark and empty that I feel like I am a really bad person. I also get really angry at myself for the horrible lies I tell to the only people in the world that truly care for me. I just wish I could be a better person. Sorry for my rant and I hope you are all going well. I just feel so alone because of all the lies that I'm left with no one. ♥xx ♥

Katherine_lily Crying every so often about the same things, just not sure if it’s ok or not.
  • replies: 3

So, I don’t think it’s major or anything, but I cry about the same thing, every so often about somewhere between 1-2 weeks. If I’m watching a documentary about someone who has died and their talking about all the great things that persons done, I cry... View more

So, I don’t think it’s major or anything, but I cry about the same thing, every so often about somewhere between 1-2 weeks. If I’m watching a documentary about someone who has died and their talking about all the great things that persons done, I cry. When I have a shower or some alone time, I think about al, the cool things other people have done. I have my own dreams. I want to go to uni to be a teacher, at least, that’s what my dad is suggesting now, and I can settle for that. But my dream really is to be a musician. Iv wanted to be one my whole life. I don’t know exactly why, but I think it’s been a childhood thing, growing up with music. The music that my parents like is what’s considered “old”, like stuff from the 60’s and that, like the Beatles, Johnny cash, and that dude that sings “don’t come back jack.” Anyway, I want to be a musician to bring back that music, and I have this idea that I shouldn’t like music that’s happening now, but somehow I do? But, I don’t want to sing that music or anything when I’m older. Also sometimes when I’m looking up other cool people and all the things they’ve done, I think about how short life is, and that I want to do good things, and I want to be a good person. I want to be great like they were. But like, I have this thing happening where I have I sense that I can’t do that, and that I can’t do that dream. Life so short, and I’m thinking that I want my life to have a purpose. I tell myself constantly positive things, as I do with others, but sometimes I cry about the things that I can’t do. I’m sad that people I love will die, and that I feel the worlds moving too quickly, even though I’m young. Is this ok? Is this normal? I just want some clarification. Thank you for any assistance!

chatter_box I just want to get this off my chest, and maybe have someone listen?
  • replies: 4

I'm sorry my post sounds vague and silly. I didn't know what else to do, so I thought it might help to talk? It's pretty late right now but I can't sleep. All that's going through my mind is "it's back." By "it" I mean my depression. At least, I thin... View more

I'm sorry my post sounds vague and silly. I didn't know what else to do, so I thought it might help to talk? It's pretty late right now but I can't sleep. All that's going through my mind is "it's back." By "it" I mean my depression. At least, I think it's depression. I've never had the courage to actually go ask for help. This is probably the closest thing I've done to seeking help regarding my mental health. I've felt like this before, this horrible feeling seems to come back a lot. Whenever I realised it was back, I tried enjoying life and pulling myself out of the pit I had somehow ended up in. But in the end, it always feels useless. It feels like I'm climbing up a mountain, but every time it looked as though I finally reach the top, I slip and go tumbling down. I never go right back to the bottom, but I do get pretty close. I think I'm back down there again. I've had this feeling more times than I can count. The feeling of suffocation. The feeling of being tired. I'm tired of my studies, my family, I'm tired of my life. I just want it to finish. I don't mean I want to cut it short. It's sort of like a boring movie, I just want to reach the happy ending and see the credits roll. I think the best way to put it is that I feel numb. I'm just going through the motions, doing as I'm expected to without feeling anything. I simply feel empty, and yet it hurts. There are times that I feel so numb that I actively seek out something, anything just so I can feel some sort of emotion. I usually decide to watch movies or read mangas that I know will make me cry and laugh with the characters. At least then I can feel something. I can dive into another world, even if it's only for a moment, I can escape this tiring routine. But sometimes these don't work. I don't feel anything and it terrifies me. I'm so scared that I'll reach the point of no return and do something that I know I will regret. The worst part is I don't know how to stop, how to pull myself together and stop going down this dark path. Perhaps I'm just overreacting. Maybe quarantine and my studies have me stressed to the point of thinking I'm that I'm depressed. I don't know anymore. In the past, I've chalked everything down to overreacting or overthinking. If even one person can tell me I'm not being stupid or that I'm not just imagining it, please do. I think at least knowing that someone else, even a stranger, thinks I should seek help then maybe I can find the courage to admit that I'm not fine.

DinoNugget I feel so trapped :/
  • replies: 3

People see me as a happy joyful person, but I just want to live like everyone else... I feel like I can’t be myself anymore, it’s as if my parents are holding me back from being who I really am. I stay in my room for alone time and all I get out of i... View more

People see me as a happy joyful person, but I just want to live like everyone else... I feel like I can’t be myself anymore, it’s as if my parents are holding me back from being who I really am. I stay in my room for alone time and all I get out of it is a lecture about how unproductive I am and how “there’s nothing I should be sad about” I miss how I lived before. Now everything is so hard to the point where I just cry for no reason

BabySteps Overly Worried about my Grim Prospect Future, Beyond the Days of my Parent's
  • replies: 2

I'm worried about my Future everyday I have No Standard Driver's Licence I may be Restricted Beyond Ideal and Need (I don't know how to Apply for Jobs Online) (Or what or which Is the most effective way In Applying) I have No Direction for Ideal Mana... View more

I'm worried about my Future everyday I have No Standard Driver's Licence I may be Restricted Beyond Ideal and Need (I don't know how to Apply for Jobs Online) (Or what or which Is the most effective way In Applying) I have No Direction for Ideal Manageable Job Occupations, or which Job Industries I like I have No Dream Ambition for my Life TAFE offers nothing, maybe only Just One Course that I'd be Interested In, But I don't want to pursue something for the sake of It without being sure UNIVERSITY has never been for me or of Interest (That's a guaranteed NO) I have No Supportive Friends I have No Spouse or Partner I don't know how to Pay Bills or Rent If I ever need a Accommodation, I wouldn't get a Rental Property If I haven't been Working for at least 6 Months at least, and without a Full Time Job I couldn't afford Rent, Especially In Melbourne, Australia *My Father Is a Bill Payer and only that, He Is a Absent and Selfish who doesn't care or think about my Future and Problems, and deeply would prefer me not living here, at Home *My Mother loves me Un conditionally but she can be Vauge and doesn't know what's coming next (I don't know If she wants to forget about It) because she would find It distressing

jzn feeling down from flopping exams
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Recently i just did my trials and i didn’t prepare for them as well as i could (probably going to get marks around 50-60%). I feel so mad at myself for not studying earlier or preparing well and i’m also feeling extremely burnt out. I re... View more

Hi everyone, Recently i just did my trials and i didn’t prepare for them as well as i could (probably going to get marks around 50-60%). I feel so mad at myself for not studying earlier or preparing well and i’m also feeling extremely burnt out. I really want to get an ATAR of 85-90 and i don’t know if it’s still possible. Feeling really lost and unmotivated right now My averages for my subjects are 75 for english, 70 for maths, 80 for bio, 87 for business, 85 for geo and 60 for chem (thinking about dropping it) Would anyone have any advice or thoughts? Thanks

unbearable Isolation is getting too much
  • replies: 2

Hi internet, These last few weeks have really not been great. I thought that since I was already socially isolated this lockdown would be nothing new, but this is just getting unbearable. No friends, no siblings, no pets, no extra-curricular activiti... View more

Hi internet, These last few weeks have really not been great. I thought that since I was already socially isolated this lockdown would be nothing new, but this is just getting unbearable. No friends, no siblings, no pets, no extra-curricular activities - that's how it was before the pandemic. All I had were my university classes. Now even that tiny morsel of social interaction is gone, every class replaced by ridiculous zoom sessions where every student is muted and invisible. I don't think I have spoken to another person since March, and I don't remember the last time I could name a friend. Lately I have been having this overwhelming sensation of heaviness and a terrible pinching feeling that continually distracts me from any work I try to do. I spend way too long in bed but always feel tired regardless, and I can't seem to find an appetite even for my favourite foods. I just feel so lethargic and miserable that I want to sink into the ground and close my eyes forever. Before this lockdown my social isolation would make me lonely but had never affected my productivity or health. Now it is just impossible to ignore and I really can't shake this feeling of overwhelming misery. I have considered treatment but since I am not self-harming or suicidal, I am not sure that a doctors visit during a pandemic is justified. The main thing I want to ask this forum is whether there is anyone else in this situation, whether they know how to get out of it.

Jen3339 I feel like it will just be my parents and I forever
  • replies: 4

Growing up I really struggled to keep positive friendships and be part of teams because of self esteem issues . If I wasn’t perfect at something I would talk my way out of it and feel it is hard to get any passions because I am so consumed by wanting... View more

Growing up I really struggled to keep positive friendships and be part of teams because of self esteem issues . If I wasn’t perfect at something I would talk my way out of it and feel it is hard to get any passions because I am so consumed by wanting to impress others. I am extremely close with my parents and spend all my time with them because of my inability to form strong friendships . I find it hard to socialise because I talk to my parents about everything instead of talking to others my own age and our relationship has gotten really toxic because I project my anger of not being able to make friends onto them. I want to build myself as a person but hate joining groups as I feel I will be rejected and made fun of, this means I have no where to build connections outside of school. I am lost and have no idea who I am. I am so self absorbed I find it hard to concentrate on other things such as school work and my friends issues and am constantly comparing my lack of friendships and relationships to others. Should I move out of home and go to boarding school to not rely on my parents? How can I stop being so sensitive and just start forming lasting friendships I feel as though I have tried so many different groups and sports but none stick.