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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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Egg199 Im Worried about my girlfriend and dont know what to do.
  • replies: 3

Hey Guys. Ive just found out that my girlfriend is Depressed and im not really sure what to do. Ive been supporting her ,letting her know i care about her and telling her if she wants to talk or needs anything im here for her. Ive been trying to get ... View more

Hey Guys. Ive just found out that my girlfriend is Depressed and im not really sure what to do. Ive been supporting her ,letting her know i care about her and telling her if she wants to talk or needs anything im here for her. Ive been trying to get to see her and spend time with her but she keeps pushing me away and im honestly stuck cause i dont know what else to do cause i care about her and only want the best for her. She told me last night that everything has just been a blur the past couple weeks and that shes stuck in a shit hole. I really just want some advice on what to do or how i can help her cause i truly only want her to be happy.

Marnay21 Am I actually depressed or just sad/attention seeking
  • replies: 2

Hi For roughly the past 2 years (I don't remember exactly when it started) I think I have been feeling depressed. Generally, I ignore the feelings of sadness and push them down until something triggers them again. The only problem with this is I thin... View more

Hi For roughly the past 2 years (I don't remember exactly when it started) I think I have been feeling depressed. Generally, I ignore the feelings of sadness and push them down until something triggers them again. The only problem with this is I think I'm just looking for attention, instead of actually being depressed and I want someone to take notice of me for once. When I'm around my friends, I laugh and make jokes and I think I feel happy yet I still feel empty inside. The depression comes in waves almost, as in I'm fine one day then crappy the next, and have the most suicidal, self-degrading thoughts ever. Everything feels like it's just going to go straight down the toilet so I just don't try for anything anymore. Because of this, my grades have dropped and my mum yells at me about how "useless" I am and how I'm "wasting my talents" as I used to be relatively smart. (Dad isn't in the picture in case you are wondering). I'm sad so much that it physically hurts inside, as in my chest will tighten and my heart aches. But then if I google "depression symptoms" only one or two of the symptoms match what I feel so am I genuinely depressed or just sad and wanting attention?

Asdfghjkl_ worried about the future
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am a year 12 student currently not in a fantastic space.even thinking about the idea of graduation makes me feel sick, the idea of leaving everything that I know behind is terrifying. To some extent, I know that it probably will be ok eventuall... View more

Hi, I am a year 12 student currently not in a fantastic space.even thinking about the idea of graduation makes me feel sick, the idea of leaving everything that I know behind is terrifying. To some extent, I know that it probably will be ok eventually, but I feel like I can't convince myself of that. People around me are so excited to leave high school, but I genuinely just can't understand how to look forward to a future I know nothing about. I guess its the freedom and what not, but to be honest I don't care that much about that. Many of my friends are leaving school and going interstate, and I am constantly worried that I won't be able to make friends after graduation.

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!

Lyssaa Relationship related anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I've very recently started dating this guy from uni. He's different to any of the guys I've been interested in before, in a good way. Since we first started talking he was always very consistent with his communication, compliments me in ... View more

Hi everyone, I've very recently started dating this guy from uni. He's different to any of the guys I've been interested in before, in a good way. Since we first started talking he was always very consistent with his communication, compliments me in a genuine way, has told me why he likes me and has always been honest and open with his feelings, makes time to talk to me even though he's a very busy person, and casually reassures me because he knows that I have the tendency to overthink things. He's met most of my friends and he gets along with them really well and my friends all like him. He's also gladly introduced me to a lot of his friends, and they've told me this is the happiest they've seen him in a while. I don't feel butterflies around him, instead I feel calm and comfortable when I talk to him which is a nice change. Unfortunately, I haven't always had such good experiences with guys before. My last boyfriend from a few years ago didn't treat me the best and was very inconsistent with his communication and didn't make me feel appreciated. The guy I was in a situationship with last year was awful at communication and didn't even really like me even though he said he did, he just wanted attention and used me when he needed someone to talk to or wanted to talk about something relevant to him. I also recently found out that he isn't the nice person that he acted like he was around me. Because of these past experiences, I'm carrying a lot of anxiety with me into this new relationship, even though this guys behaviours are nothing at all like the crap I had to deal with in the past. I still sometimes get anxious when I text him because I'm worried he's going to think I'm annoying, or that if I send him a funny video on instagram he's gonna get annoyed at me or think I'm too obsessive even though it's literally just a message. Occasionally I also wonder how long it'll be until he starts to find me annoying or stops liking me. I'm annoyed at myself for having these anxious feelings, because I know logically that I shouldn't, but I can't help it. Does anyone have any advice for me on how I can reassure and comfort myself when this anxiety starts to rise up again?

Gothamfan Bad friends
  • replies: 6

I haven’t been on these forums in a really long time but since I have it’s gotten slightly better and then just completely worse. I have had friendship problems for a long time with a particular group and a specific person, recently I was ‘kicked out... View more

I haven’t been on these forums in a really long time but since I have it’s gotten slightly better and then just completely worse. I have had friendship problems for a long time with a particular group and a specific person, recently I was ‘kicked out’ by this group with another friend and the build up to it was awful. it really worsened my already awful mental state and put me in a dark place, they were never good friends but they were fun to hang around and I miss having a big friend group, I really want to make friends out side of school but I have no idea how, I just want to find a few accepting people and friends I can be myself around I, my school is very small so it’s not like I can just join another friend group, I do have 2 friends I still hangout with, I love them but they are surface level friends and I really want to find people I can connect and communicate with, I hope this is not to much to ask for and I am not good at making new friends. any tips on making new friendships would be appreciated.I hope this made sense as I am not very good at explaining things or expressing my emotions.

Aviator205 Joining the ADF with previous Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 10

Hi, I'm 16 years old and i'm considering joining the RAAF when I turn 18 (year 12) and applying to be a CISCON (which is a non-combat role) however 4 years ago I attempted suicide (only ever once) and later was diagnosed with anxiety (due to an abusi... View more

Hi, I'm 16 years old and i'm considering joining the RAAF when I turn 18 (year 12) and applying to be a CISCON (which is a non-combat role) however 4 years ago I attempted suicide (only ever once) and later was diagnosed with anxiety (due to an abusive father) and am now taking medication. my anxiety has been minimal for the past 2 years but sometimes arises (not frequently though - rarely) I have seen medical professionals such as psychologists to help manage my anxiety and stress and I am still currently getting support from professionals and hope to manage my anxiety without medication within the next twelve months leaving another twelve months free from medication before applying for defence. I was wondering if anyone has some advice or insight about my chances, what I should do and any other information. Thanks.

maybeunsure I feel very unhappy with my life.
  • replies: 6

Apparently I'm terrible at explaining myself, so I apologize if I don't make any sense.​The past couple years have been really hard for me and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from them. My Mum went to hospital multiple times for (I feel so guil... View more

Apparently I'm terrible at explaining myself, so I apologize if I don't make any sense.​The past couple years have been really hard for me and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from them. My Mum went to hospital multiple times for (I feel so guilty telling the internet about this when I promksed my Mum I would not tell a sole) her addiction to medication. I was not aware of her addiction until a few months ago at her most recent hospital trip. She always told me her 'illness' was 'just a stomach ulcer' but it's so much more complex than that. I've had to watch my Mum's body start to shut down; uncontrollable twitching, too weak to sit upright, memory loss, loss of speech, etc. Those images are ones that will haunt me forever.This medication is used in some pain relief medication and due to my Mum's addiction, I'm too scared to have any in the house. I let myself suffer just so she doesn't have the temptation. Because my Mum was sick a lot, she hardly work and we ended up in debt. It got to the point where we either sold the house or let the bank take it from us. So we sold it & moved in with my Nan. After about 7 months we had some money left over and decided to rent somewhere. But that didnt last long and we had to end our lease early due to Mum's 'illness'. The latest hospital visit did something to me and ever since then I truly have not been the same. For a while I felt like my life had stopped while the world sped up around me. It affected me academically and I made the decision to drop courses at Uni (which has added an extra year onto my degree). Lately I have been feeling very dumb (when i dropped the courses my mind felt like it had stopped and it still feels like that), disconnected, lonely (I have 3 friends who Ihardly see or speak to me and most days it seems like 2 of them couldn't care less if I was dead), worthless (the only people who seem to want to spend time with me is my parents and it hurts), guilty (all the signs of my Mum getting sick are so evident now and everyday I blame myself for the latwst episode - I should have noticed something was wrong), and that I am a failure to my family and friends (I have no job nor do I have my license and am constantly reminded - especially every time i see my Dad and his side of the family).​The above paragraph is probably all I needed to say but I needed to get my Mum's 'illness' off my chest. I'm not sure what I'm looking for by posting on here, but maybe the outcome will be positive.​

Foxtrot73 I struggle expressing my emotions
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I'm a 16 year old male, I have a good family,friends and support network who I feel safe and comfortable around, yet for as long as I can remember I have had issues expressing how I really feel. I have a tendancy to be a people pleaser and t... View more

Hi guys, I'm a 16 year old male, I have a good family,friends and support network who I feel safe and comfortable around, yet for as long as I can remember I have had issues expressing how I really feel. I have a tendancy to be a people pleaser and try to be everything for everyone, unfortunately as I am going through my VCE studies, sport most days a week and going out, I am finding myself feeling sad but not being able to express this. I'm not some toxic masculinity type of person, I just haven't cried for nearly 10 years, I'll lay in bed upset but it is all internal and I just bottle it up and try to forget about it. It's starting to take a toll on my sleep and when I find myself alone and I don't know what to do.

Shelbelle School Stress
  • replies: 3

I am only in year 8 this year but every I am still so stressed. Every 2 weeks we have a maths exam. They go towards our grade so I can't screw up. Most people say oh it's not that hard, don't worry it's only year 8. The thing is though I am doing yea... View more

I am only in year 8 this year but every I am still so stressed. Every 2 weeks we have a maths exam. They go towards our grade so I can't screw up. Most people say oh it's not that hard, don't worry it's only year 8. The thing is though I am doing year 10 maths making it even more difficult.It is one of the most stressful things ever. We now have to do 8 modules and each take roughly and hour and a half and this week we only have 1 maths lesson rather than 5, due to public holidays, school events and excursions. I have 3 maths lessons next week and I have currently done 2. We use an online program called Maths Pathways and anttime I have a question for the teachers they just tell me oh watch the video, that makes me think or something similar. I cry almost every weeks from stress and anxiety on this and passing the test. The worst part is when I get an A on my report card it is always why didn't you get an A+ there is still room for improvement. There is no emotional support from my mum and I will tell her I need mental help and she just says it's just a phase you are fine. I have been really struggling because I have no friends and no support from the school or my family. I hope someone can relate and if you do get help at school. Talk to a counciler or a trusted teacher.