Young people

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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.

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Emptiness and worthlessness

replies: 2

For the past 3-4 years I’ve been struggling with feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. I feel as if I’m lost or just drifting into an abyss. I try to fill the void inside of me with alcohol, drugs and sex but they seem to be temporary solutions. I’ve struggled to find and keep a job despite my university qualifications. My social anxiety continuously ruins good opportunities for me regarding my career or relationships. I put on this act of being a funny and happy person to my family and friends despite feeling the complete opposite inside. I overanalyse and criticise every conversation and decision I make which further spirals me into a deeper state of emptiness. My life lacks meaning and direction! I look at my friends who are all accomplishing great things while I’m just stuck here floating.

Un-motivated

replies: 2

Hi everyone, Lately, I have been feeling very 'un-motivated'. This includes not wanting to get out of bed (not just because I want to sleep in, but rather like I don't want to 'do' today), struggling to socialise and feeling mentally exhausted. I feel as though I have been very worried as of late, feeling like there are so many things going through my mind that it hurts, and I can't focus. I have so many assignments and exams coming up and I'm stressed, there are friendship issues that are ruining school-life, my parents are so strict and peer pressure is piling on me and I don't know what to do. Also, there is a niggling thing at the back of my head that is just making me feel upset and anxious and not like doing anything but lying down and somehow sorting my thoughts out. I can't do that either. My self-confidence has taken a hit too since I have been put into netball team with players all 2 years older than me (the division includes a range of year-levels, and I am the youngest) and our first training is soon, and I feel as though I am really bad, and will not be able to make friends or fit in. They all are better than me and I am so so nervous. I don't know anyone (the team sheet was included with the email, and I saw their birthdates) and I am naturally awkward and an introvert so I am, in short, terrified. I'm sorry, I don't know if this is just a teenager thing, not really worth anyone's time, or if it is more than that. I'm scared to talk to my parents, so please, please, please respond with some advice. Thank you, Jl338 ❤

Anxiety lmao

replies: 2

Hi guys, how’s it going? I’m super new here, but I really need some help atm. My anxiety is being an absolute pain, and I was wondering if anyone has any coping mechanisms they could suggest for me? Some background on my anxiety: aight. So it started when I was in year 5, and 6 years later ITS BACK. My anxiety causes me to feel constantly nauseous, and bad unable to eat, or even drink with me feeling I’m going to throw up. Anyone have any advice on how I can make myself eat? When I first got my anxiety, my mums says I was really underweight, and she could feel my spine when she rubbed my back. I really really don’t wanna go back to that again. Im honestly scared.

Why do I feel so dead?

replies: 4

I dont really know where to start. But I guess Ill just start the basics for over a year now I have felt so dead. Im so tired & drained, I go to class with no motivation & just cant focus or work at all. After a while my head feels all heavy, like a headache but slightly different. I just feel so tired like I need to lay down. I usually always just end up laying on the desk all lesson. Which sucks because I do so well when I actually have energy, even when I do, the energy is fleeting. Itll be a couple weeks where Im just so alive. Its the best thing ever but so bittersweet because it wont last. Sometimes it’s just a couple hours, usually when I have a nice shift at work. Its overwhelming, I have to stop myself from crying over it. Its just really nice to feel alive. Eventually Ill crash again. Things were good the last few months, I thought maybe it was okay but its hit me hard again. Ive been back at school for 3 days and Im already so far behind. I just cant think. I told some customers about how far behind I was, one of them jokingly replied telling me that if I keep that up Ill be stuck in this town working in a supermarket for the rest of my life. Probably the scariest thing anyone has ever said to me, especially since shes a complete stranger. I cant get out of this place soon enough. I thought maybe this would spark something in me but I got as far as 16 words on my essay before I laid down and cried over it. Ive been to many different places trying to get an answer. Got numerous blood tests, had an MRI, the doctor just told me she didnt know & couldn’t help me. That was 7 months ago. For a little bit more background information, I made a post on here about something similar to this around 18 months ago. Things werent as bad then. It cleared up a few weeks later (only took 8 months) & I was the happiest Id ever been for about 3 months until I moved to the other side of the country. Thats when it began again, just so much worse this time. Ive felt like this for so long that I don’t even really know what I’m supposed to feel like anymore. Is this normal? Does everyone feel like this? I really want to do well at school but I just cant do anything when I’m like this. It keeps getting worse & I really need to get my shit together for VCE. Does anyone have any suggestions?Why do I feel so dead? What can I do about it? Anything would be appreciated Also sorry if this post is all over the place, I am tired and upset and not really thinking straight

I don’t know anymore

replies: 1

Just getting straight into it. I don’t particularly trust my friends, but I’m too scared to lose them, because group work at school is hard without friends and I’ve known them for so long. Plus I’m not the greatest with talking to people and making new friends. There are 4 of us in total and I find that in our group there are 2 people who pretty much run the whole thing. Their opinion matters, they can judge, they can say whatever they want and everyone is fine with it. But as soon as soon as I say my opinion or how I feel I get shut down or that I’m “over thinking” or just feel like my opinion and what I say is always judged and belittled. I also feel like I get talked about when I’m not around. One of the friends has had a long term relationship for a few years, the other 2 and me got boyfriends about 9 months ago. All of their boyfriends are able to go out and do what they want but mine has a strict parent so he can’t do much. this makes doing group things really hard for me because I hate third wheeling them all because that’s how it’s been for so long for me before I got my boyfriend. But I dint want to miss out on plans or group things. I also feel like now with all the boyfriends, I feel like we can’t plan anything without the boyfriends involved, I just feel so lost in my friendship group and like it wouldn’t matter if I was there or not. I also have struggles in my relationship. I’ve been with him for about 9 months and recently almost broke up. Now I feel awkward because of my trust issues. Now I’m starting to question how I feel in the relationship or even if I love him at all, or if I just love the attention or the thought of him. I just feel like everything’s so difficult and out of control, so it’s hard for me to deal with everything.

Point To Life?

replies: 5

To anyone reading this, I am 18 and have never been loved neither conditionally nor unconditionally by anyone. Most would say I am being dramatic, but what is the point to my life? I have no interest in marriage, dating or having kids so I am struggling to see the point in working my life away to just die at the end of it all. I have no religious faiths and most of my generation (specifically my age bracket) can not communicate socially without the use of a technological device. I lived in one state for about the first 12 years of my life, in which I left my childhood friends behind, and moved to another and struggled to find like-minded people. I eventually found a group in which I assimilated but was isolated at the same time - not invited to outings and such for no reason (I am not pessimistic - openly at least) so I have always felt excluded. About 9 months ago I moved back to that state and guess what? Not even a whisper about me leaving (mind you I waited a couple of months for people to initiate contact via social media - I do so and all I was given was short replies and neglection as is common in my life so I delete social media). So I end up at this fancy new school, new system of education (transition from grade 11 in one state to grade 12 in another) and I think to myself "Maybe things will be different" but nope, its much worse, I have no friends (I made numerous attempts for a very long time but everyone was more interested in their phones) and if it weren't for my sister I would have no one to talk to at school. This is as low as I have ever been with my grades reflecting this. I have never had a job and I think that I am stuffed as there was never an opportunity to do so (the town I was in for 6 years was very family-employer heavy so you had to either be family friends or childhood friends with people to get a part-time job), so I think that my life is pretty much pointless now as I have nothing to contribute to anything.

senior slump?

replies: 2

Hi all, I don't really know what going on. I just started my last year of high school about a month ago and I have never struggled more in my whole life. Everything is just a chore, I can't concentrate on school work without my mind wandering to something unproductive. My friendships are getting dull and distant because I have no desire to keep them. Im just trying to work toward my academic goal, but at this point I'm not going to pass anything because I can't keep my head still for three seconds. My sleep has been atrocious, I got sleep paralysis (I think) for the first time the other night and thought I was going to die, I have no appetite anymore, I have no energy to talk to people or do my schoolwork. I'm aware I sound like I'm complaining and dramatising it (and that's not what I wanted to be communicated) but I really don't know how to cope with it anymore. If anyone has any tips they would be much appreciated, I have had a couple issues with mental health last year, so Im just trying to distinguish whether this is a 'getting back into school' slump or if old illnesses are creeping their way back in. Thanks

Getting older and missing out on life?

replies: 1

Hey guys I just turned 23 on Saturday the 22nd. Since I was 13 I have had severe problems with depersonalisation, anxiety and depression. It was a terrible time for my problems to start as I was on the brink of many new experiences in life, which I feel I wasn't even there to experience due to being locked behind severe brain fog, confusion and emotional pain. Partly it was due to the trauma of being taken out of school and moved around the country basically homeless for 6 months. My mental illness symptoms were triggered after this period early in my life. I've always been sensitive, overly imaginative and a deep thinker. I have seen many therapists over the years, but my problem I think is never sticking with one long enough. I also just didn't verbalize it and pretended it was OK for so long because I kind of thought saying it would make it real and if I pretended to be healthy I'd eventually be healthy. Holding these symptoms behind a mask though is beyond horrible and I felt like I was dying inside. Would be interested to know who can relate to this feeling. I have listened to a lot of motivational talks on Youtube and such trying to drill into myself, this will just pass if I keep trying. That's not how you treat mental and emotional problems though, that makes it worse. I haven't gotten an official diagnosis, I'm hoping its an anxiety disorder... but it could be worse. Basically I think I've tried my best to experience life despite what I'm going through but I feel now that I still haven't tried hard enough and I regret the past. Since leaving school in '14, I've made basically two friends and just buried myself in worked. I'm fit, I've been told I'm attractive a number of times but I've only ever had one girlfriend. I'm still a virgin. This makes me so ashamed and depressed. And the longer I stay a virgin, the harder it'll be to have sex. It feels like people assume I'm not, because I hold up this false confidence, and when they find out they come to the conclusion that I have issues. Which is completely the truth. Something is very wrong with me. I can only get some emotional peace when I'm alone or with my immediate family. I want to have new experiences and make new friends but I feel completely trapped in my head and the darkness of my own thoughts and feelings. Just taking the step of making a connection with other people will give me the motivation and be the first step to properly recovering. But I can't make it and time keeps moving..

struggling. i feel sad every day.

replies: 1

Hey everyone, I'm not feeling so good at the moment. I think it'd be easiest to list my reasons. (I'm 18, female, and 2 years out of school) 1. My parents are divorced, mum is struggling and we barely have enough money to buy food some weeks. 2. I did really poorly in year 12 and it has kinda messed up all my options. I then dropped out of uni which has crushed my soul. Thankfully I'm going to tafe in July to study my passion (vet nursing) but I feel devastated that I won't be at uni. 3. I haven't met any new people in years and I only have 2 close friends to talk to, one of which is someone I don't like to dump my problems on, the other I probably dump too many problems on. I feel incredibly isolated and lonely, which is an understatement. Like I am desperate to meet new people at tafe but I have to wait until July. I have moved house 16 times and moved school 5 times so I don't have any long term friendships. 4. I have jealousy and possessiveness issues with these friends for some reason so whenever they do something without me I become incredibly anxious and frustrated (toxic mindset, I know). 5. I am working really hard but barely have any money, it all goes to groceries, petrol, insurance, pet food, rego etc. I can never buy myself clothes. 6. My mum and brother both have major mental health problems. My mum is also very emotionally distant at the moment and I just crave for her to be interested in talking to me or giving me a hug once in a while. She mostly yells at me for not doing enough. I spend all my time at home alone and don't go out of the house for anything but work. 7. I have anxiety about so many things. A big one is being close to someone/intimacy. I attempted to be in a relationship in december but I almost threw up before I went on a simple date to his house and couldn't even hold hands with him. Ended up breaking up with him after 3 weeks over text. Adds to this feeling of "I'm going to be alone forever" 8. I don't want to list things forever but I feel broken and sad every single day. I don't want to go to the GP because my brother is already doing that and I don't want my dad to think we're both disappointments. (he thinks antidepressants are for losers who have given up...) good things; - I have two dogs and I love them - I have nice coworkers and my job isn't too bad - I have somewhere safe to live - I don't want to hurt myself - I just miss how bright I used to be and want to be there again Thank you for reading

Kind of motivated but not really

replies: 1

Hey guys, Thinking about going to the doctors to seek a mental health treatment plan because for the longest time I’ve felt very lost. It’s like I’m motivated to do something then it gets too hard or too much work. I’m generally a positive type of person but I just can’t handle this normal life. What I mean by that is staying in the same place with the same people working the same jobs, I’m extremely confused how anyone does it. Seems like it causes me to be extremely unsatisfied with life and have no energy. I go on holidays sand my energy is at all time highs and I just want to go do anything and everything but back hope the opposite. So I thought saving up and going on a backpacking journey may be fun and allow me to just live how I please but then I’m concerned that I will get over there and just start feeling bad again. I guess I’m just wanting to speak to someone that feels sort of like this because I’ve had this for years and can’t take it anymore I want to live my life not be trapped in this state of mind anymore. Thank you. Aaron, Brisbane

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

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

Emptiness and worthlessness replies: 2

Un-motivated replies: 2

Anxiety lmao replies: 2

Why do I feel so dead? replies: 4

I don’t know anymore replies: 1

Point To Life? replies: 5

senior slump? replies: 2

Getting older and missing out on life? replies: 1

struggling. i feel sad every day. replies: 1

Kind of motivated but not really replies: 1