Fellow psych students on the forum?

[Guest_322]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20 year old uni student in my second year of the B.Commerce/B.Psych(hon) degree.

I guess I'm posting this mostly because I've really been feeling the pressure for the psych stream of my degree.

It's tough and the competition for psych honours is FIERCE at my uni (as I'm sure it is at most, if not all, unis).

At my uni, those who currently have honours embedded in their degree are extremely stressed about losing it if they don't maintain their grades (e.g. me). And many of those without the honours currently embedded in their degree are stressed about getting the grades to transfer into the honours stream.

Every exam and every assignment but most of all, our final grades, I worry that I won't be able to keep the honours.

I love the psych content but I don't love the psych academic environment as it's extremely toxic at my uni. It's partly because the psych faculty reminded us of the competitive nature of psych from day 1 in first year. I've seen classmates withhold notes from friends. I've seen classmates refuse to help their (academically) struggling friends. At my uni, it feels like a case of every student for him/herself.

I don't know what I'm trying to say but I'm hoping someone here on this forum can empathise and knows where I'm coming from.

Thanks everyone!

Dottie

[Zeal]

Hi Dottie,

That's really tough, and you and your friends certainly are being put under pressure, both academically and emotionally. I have been procrastinating over the last few days. I am very stuck on a research proposal. Formulating hypothetical research designs is something I am terrible at! I cannot wait to finish undergrad and focus on counselling next year. I should probably get outside and go for a walk, and then maybe I will come back and be able to focus my mind.

I hope you are doing okay Dottie. Try getting away from your desk in some way, whether that's going for a walk or something else. Make sure you have snacks for energy, like nuts and fruit.

You can do this! Drop by your uni counselling service next time you're feeling overwhelmed. Other uni staff can be amazingly helpful for academic and life advice too. In the meantime, the beyondblue helpline is always available (1300 22 4636), and we are here to talk too 🙂

Best wishes,

SM

[Guest_322]

Hi SM,

Thanks for the support and understanding. I appreciate it IMMENSELY.

Your research proposal sounds very stressful. Did you end up going on a walk? As you said so yourself, stepping away for a bit can be helpful.

I did actually go for a walk. Blasted loud music in my headphones. Music always helps. Feel a little bit better now but still stressed ha, ha.

All the best with your research proposal. Let us know how it goes here, at the Friends' Cafe or elsewhere on BB.

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi,

It is currently past 3am. I'm sleep deprived and need to finish an assignment that is due today. I also have to get to uni early for a test (not a mid sem exam but a test nontheless but with a lower weighting than mid arms).

Why does the psych department at my uni have to be so sadistic? A test AND an assignment due on the first day of the mid sem break.

Dottie

[Just Sara]

Good morning Dottie;

I've read through the thread and a few issues come to mind. You sound frantic and this is understandable, I concur with the pressure of competitive academia. I've been there myself and supported my sister who panicked constantly.

There's been some wonderful comments and advice from other posters...great stuff!

Some of our best minds (and athletes) are where they are now due to competition. It's a competitive world and what you're experiencing now is a training ground for life I'm afraid. Simply...it's a dog eat dog minefield. I don't want this to come across as defeatist; on the contrary.

1st, you obviously have the skill and ability to compete for the honours program. 2nd, you're passionate and driven...great! You've reached out for help which takes guts. You've defined your fears and identified what you feel is relevant. Self assessing...another great character plus!

What comes across over and over, is competing with others and their competitive nature/fears. You'll find this every time you apply for a job. You promote yourself; a marketing strategy.

Looking at how others are doing and comparing yourself to them is what they're doing with you. In sport, each player plays their own game. Once you try and keep up to someone on the other team, focus is diverted away from your goal. Do you get my meaning?

This time will be the hardest time of your career, so how you survive will create the foundation for what's up ahead. It's always got to be about 'you' first!

There's negative stress and positive stress. The latter makes us strive further and harder, like cliff climbing. One foot in front of the other. You compete with yourself. My sister wanted high distinctions every time. She did it through pure stubbornness to get what she wanted. (Our family is from a sporting background)

Grades are everything so define what you want and go after it with abandon! Learn to enjoy competing as a strategy to winning that placement; ok?

In the 80's I went for 2 jobs against over 30 apps. I got both jobs! Passion and drive...go get 'em!!

Good luck...Dizzy

[Guest_322]

Thank you Dizzy!

A very helpful response, reminder and wake up call.

Think I had lost my way a bit this semester so thank you for reminding me.

I'll post a proper response after I finish my assignment and test. Thank you again 😊

[james1]

Good luck with the test today Dottie!! And the assignment!

You deserve a bit of a break after today I think 🙂

[Just Sara]

I'm with James on this Dottie;

Good luck with your exam and assignment! You can do eeet!! Tick those off your to-do list, only 50 more to go...lol One step at a time!

Also, thanks for the 'thanks', you're so welcome young one. Am looking forward to your upcoming posts.

Welcome to our community of oh so lovely and caring people, and those who need our help. (You too...personal experience is absolutely valued here)

Go get 'em tiger!!!

Dizzy (Hug)

[Guest_322]

Hi Dizzy,

Thank you so much for the posts! I submitted my assignment and had my test yesterday- thank you for your well wishes.

You sound like a very successful and driven person. Well done on getting the 2 job offers in the 80's!

I think your first post really hit a nerve with me. It woke me up and reminded me why I had started studying in the first place.

I agree that it needs to be about me playing my own game. As you pointed out, I was getting really caught up in everyone else's game; I was like a sponge soaking in the stress and fears of my friends and classmates. Now I need to wring the sponge out so I can differentiate between other people and myself.

You and your sister come across as such capable high achievers- kudos to both or you!

I'm glad the competitive environment works for you. I get what you're saying about learning to enjoy the competition; some sage advice there. But to be honest, I don't think that I'll ever truly enjoy the competitive aspect because it's just not in my nature. Not being defeatist or cynical- just aware of my personality.

In saying that, I will compete if there's a need tor it. How do I put it? I will compete if it's a means to an end like if I see an end goal in sight (rather than the competition itself).

So what I'm taking away from your advice is that I want to try to play my own game (and avoid getting caught up in the games around me) and aim high to reach an end goal.

A BIG thank you again! You have given me some much needed clarity!

Thanks also for hug. Here's a hug for you too!

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi James,

Thank you so much for your encouragement. It means that must more as I know you're struggling yourself.

Giving myself 2 days off woo!

Dottie

[Just Sara]

Hi Dottie;

Hope you're enjoying your 2 days off!

Thanks for the complements, they're appreciated indeed. I'm actually stoked my advice was what you needed.

You sound back on track, great! Confident and focused is a fine combination. Your competitive nature will pop out when you need it so don't be concerned; law of the jungle. I'm not competitive all the time, and I don't like working in a competitive environment either. It's just that when I want something really bad, I use those 'juices' to give me drive and ambition. I fly better solo to be honest.

My sister never used to be driven or successful, but when I began study and progressed thru work etc, her 'juices' kicked in. If I could do it, she could too. She just followed my lead and asked for help. When I brought my home, she brought one too. It's a sister thing, but it works for us.

So have some well earned time off - fun, laughter and friends. How nice!

Take care...Dizzy xo