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

[Guest_322]

Hi Dizzy,

Welcome- you deserved the compliments 😊

Ah that makes sense. I guess maybe my competitive streak will show its face at the right moment too ha, ha.

I'm glad you and your sister have such a supportive relationship. It sounds like you helped motivate her a lot. Sisterly love at its finest!

Thank you. I had an awesome time last night!!!

And you take care too!

Dottie x

P.S. Our usernames have a nice ring together, "Dizzy & Dottie" ha, ha

[Just Sara]

Or; Dottie and Dizzy lol 😉

[Guest_322]

Hi lovely BB-ers,

I just wanted to have a little whinge (but didn't want to clog up the conversations in either cafes with it- or at least not too much anyway ha, ha). A vent session.

Why am I always broke? Rhetorical question.

I realise that student poverty is a common struggle for a lot of us. But it just feels very frustrating. As soon as I save a little, some unexpected expense arises and it's gone.

And I'm fairly frugal (no choice ha, ha) but it's this constant struggle.

#studentpoverty

Dottie x

[james1]

Ahaha my whinge from uni days as well.

here's another: now that I'm an "adult", I realise my parents and my friends parents actually had no clue what they were doing haha. And all those "old" 20 year olds I used to look up to as a kid? Yeah, they were faking it too haha.

[Guest_322]

Hi James,

Ha, ha that made me laugh.

I think no one has it complety figured out. And people who think they have it 100% figured out worry me because they stop listening and stop learning (& are often full of it ha, ha).

Thanks James!

Dottie x

[Just Sara]

Hi Dottie!

This subject has been discussed in many circles; I've heard stories of 3 minute noodles being a dietary staple..not good.

I was lucky enough to do my tertiary studies later in life with a well paying job, but I have been in a place of financial hardship when my son was little.

I guess the thing that drives me in these circumstances, is being willing to do whatever it takes (within reason) to accomplish my goals. My son was the encouraging factor that prompted me to go out of my comfort zone to ask for help. Looking at yourself as that important, will I hope, urge you to do the same. Pride has no place in survival.

I went to my local butcher and asked if I could do some menial duties each week and be paid with meat instead of money. He said he didn't have anything for me to do and asked about my situation. When I told him, he gave me $50 worth of meat for free!

Of course this didn't address on-going support, but it gave me idea's for other ways of getting help. Another thing you might consider, is asking your local supermarket to put a locked cage with an opening at the top in their store for donated food items. 'PLEASE DONATE FOR STRUGGLING UNI STUDENTS' Another container could be placed in the 'cold' section. (Meat, cheese, milk etc)

Apart from accommodation and utility expenses, food is a necessary part of life that supports mind and body while sacrificing time and effort during this crucial period in your life. I sold my car and got rid of credit cards and debt.

Phone plans are much more practical and inexpensive than topping up credit. Shop around for internet connections etc that suit your needs, share the expense with a friend or use the library PC's.

It's all about being creative Dottie. I wish you well my sweet.

Warm wishes..Dizzy xo

[Guest_322]

Hi Dizzy,

Aw thank you so much. You do look after us here on BB. You're a real gift!

You're such a gutsy, determined person. The years of financial struggle when your son was young must have been tough. You did what you had to/could to get by and that's commendable.

I'm rather touched by the story of your local butcher's generosity as well as your willingness to ask for help.

Some great suggestions there for me to think about! Much appreciated.

One of my ways to make an extra buck or 2 is participating in paid research projects run by postgrad students and academic staff. So I'm basically the human equivalent of a lab rat sometimes ha, ha.

Food-wise hasn't been too bad because my housemates and I all chip in for groceries so between the 4 of us, we eat okay. We also mostly shop at Aldi to keep it cheap.

And we wait till late afternoon/evenings to stock up on discounted bread at coles/Woolworths as they tend to slash prices then (& then we stick it in the freezer).

Unexpected medicinal and other health expenses is what often throws me. Luckily I usually have enough in my savings to cover it but then it usually wipes out /most of my savings 😂

Thanks again Dizzy! You're amazing!

Dottie x

[Just Sara]

Thankyou for your comments Dottie and you're welcome!

I'm glad to hear food isn't a problem, but on the other hand med's are also important. I've noticed you've started a thread asking for suggestions. If I think of anything, I'll post there ok?

You're a treasure too...Dizzy xo

[Guest_322]

Hi Dizzy,

Thank you! Sure, if you think of anything, please post away 😀

Dottie x