Young people

A space for people aged 12-25 to discuss life. If you’re over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect.

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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.

All discussions

icecreamspider One of my friends is really reckless and it’s upsetting to me
  • replies: 2

I have a friend who likes to be reckless. They deal with a lot of mental health issues so on group chats they often say and describe doing things that are really dangerous including violent ways of harming themselves. It ranges from out of nowhere id... View more

I have a friend who likes to be reckless. They deal with a lot of mental health issues so on group chats they often say and describe doing things that are really dangerous including violent ways of harming themselves. It ranges from out of nowhere ideas like buying a tattoo gun to contemplating suicide and it’s really really uncomfortable. Recently they made an extremely reckless move, they’re 16 and at 3am they messaged our gc letting us know that they were meeting an online friend who they’ve never met previously, and then didn’t reply for over an hour and a half. They said i was overreacting when i got upset at them. I’ve talked to them since then about it and they’ve stopped saying stuff that makes me uncomfortable, but also seemed annoyed at having to do so. I feel bad because i think it’s a coping mechanism. Despite them stopping though i’m still uncomfortable. i haven’t been able to talk about it anywhere so this is just me venting i guess.

WHaze47 Struggling to form meaningful connections
  • replies: 5

Hey everyone, I'm new here, just thought writing it here might help. I'm 19 and I've just finished my first year of uni. Throughout the year and still now, I'm struggling to connect with people. Whenever I try it just feels forced and awkward, especi... View more

Hey everyone, I'm new here, just thought writing it here might help. I'm 19 and I've just finished my first year of uni. Throughout the year and still now, I'm struggling to connect with people. Whenever I try it just feels forced and awkward, especially during small talk. Right after exchanging greetings my head usually just goes blank and when I ask them questions and they do the same I find that either me or both of us give each other short and blunt answers. I have met some people and they seem nice, but I get bored with them right after. They talk about celebrities, shows, and sports which I don't really care much for, and so far I haven't found anything in common with them. Throughout high school I was a people pleaser and because of that I've never really gotten close to anyone to the point where I could be my authentic self, I've just sort of went along with everyone. In the majority of my friendships I was the listener and they were the talker. But now that highschool's over, I'd like to break that cycle and actually meet people who reciprocate my efforts and share the same interests as me. I guess the reason why I haven't gotten to yet is because I don't know who I am. How am I supposed to connect with others when I haven't connected with myself yet, after numbing myself for so long? When uni starts, I'm planning to join clubs, maybe in that way I'll find myself. Any tips or experiences? Would love to hear them

Jess_P2001 Friend Trouble
  • replies: 5

I need help as i’m struggling with my best friend. Ever since i have got a bf, she had been rude to me, mean, bossy, controlling etc. Now she has gone to the extent of not speaking to me as i stood up for myself. I do live with her which makes it har... View more

I need help as i’m struggling with my best friend. Ever since i have got a bf, she had been rude to me, mean, bossy, controlling etc. Now she has gone to the extent of not speaking to me as i stood up for myself. I do live with her which makes it harder and it’s taking a toll on my anxiety. I’m not sure if it’s jealousy or not. When i try talk to her about it she gets defensive and tries to turn it back on me like I’m the bad guy. Any tips would be helpful.

Jayquv101 I get bullied at school for being overweight
  • replies: 1

DAILY I get called names and fat shaming, I don't see a problem in being an overweight person. I know it's unhealthy but i can't help it I just wanna eat whatever I want as much as I can. Something that is kinda worrying me is I'm struggling to walk. View more

DAILY I get called names and fat shaming, I don't see a problem in being an overweight person. I know it's unhealthy but i can't help it I just wanna eat whatever I want as much as I can. Something that is kinda worrying me is I'm struggling to walk.

Rose2021 I want to get pregnant but I have no clue what to do
  • replies: 2

I want to be a mum but I have no clue what to do? If I do ever get pregnant and my future baby is a boy I want to name him Little Terry because of a character from a show that I am watching

I want to be a mum but I have no clue what to do? If I do ever get pregnant and my future baby is a boy I want to name him Little Terry because of a character from a show that I am watching

lily564838 Should i move back to my old school?
  • replies: 1

about a year ago i moved from the school i had grown up in, with the people i have grown grown up with, and i decided to move schools because the other school just seemed better for my education, as it is private, it was really good for that year i w... View more

about a year ago i moved from the school i had grown up in, with the people i have grown grown up with, and i decided to move schools because the other school just seemed better for my education, as it is private, it was really good for that year i wasn’t regretting moving or anything, i thought it was the god school, i’ve slowly been thinking about how the “friends” i’ve made at my new school aren’t anything like the ones at my old school, and teachers everything, at my old school i could have my nose pierced without being told to take it out, i had freedom. obviously no one likes school but since i’ve woken up from these rose tinted glasses i’ve been dreading the idea of getting up and having to go, and just thinking what if i went to my old school, wishing i did. and i actually met my boyfriend at my new school and he could move to my old school with me maybe, it’s like why don’t i move back, better friends, better everything but i don’t know what people will say like oh she’s moved back to the cheap school, but the cheap school was home to me and i don’t know what to do, a lot of lost family drama happened as i decided to suddenly move and i think that was my way of “escaping”everything, i just don’t know.

Guest_9680 Doomsday/ pole shift
  • replies: 1

I only just learnt about how the north and the South Pole shift and eventually flip. And how the earth is long over due. The moment I heard that my whole body shook, and since I can't sleep, eat. I'm constantly flooded by fears and can't stop myself ... View more

I only just learnt about how the north and the South Pole shift and eventually flip. And how the earth is long over due. The moment I heard that my whole body shook, and since I can't sleep, eat. I'm constantly flooded by fears and can't stop myself going into deep dives on the net. I have 4 kids and I can't shake this fear of an impending doom.

BlueArt I'm in pain
  • replies: 11

Hi, So I've begun to really struggle again. I thought I had found this burst of motivation but I was wrong. I am in university again (I am trying my third degree because the other two went badly) and I'm just so done with it . I honestly have no idea... View more

Hi, So I've begun to really struggle again. I thought I had found this burst of motivation but I was wrong. I am in university again (I am trying my third degree because the other two went badly) and I'm just so done with it . I honestly have no idea what I want to do with my life. I don't have goals. I am sick of my friends telling me "you just have to deal with it". They compare it to their negative days but I have severe depression and anxiety. It is not the same. I'm tired and angry. I just found out that my knee has a lot of damage to it that will take intensive physiotherapy to fix. I injured it seven years ago, half of the problems with it could have been identified then if my doctor had done his job. I'm in physical and mental pain with no idea what to do. When I talk to people they just say "well what are your goals? work towards them" but I don't have any!!. I have no idea what I'm doing and just feel like an idiot. I have an assignment due tomorrow and I couldn't care less. I have barely touched it and don't want to. I don't know whether to drop out again but I know my parents will be disappointed if I do. I am just so stuck with no idea what to do next. I feel like everyone I talk to just belittle's my problems like I should be able to just get over it but no one ever tells me how.

lil quirky School starting in a week
  • replies: 2

Hi all, lil quirky here,A week from school and I am dreading it but also want to go, I'm starting year 12 this year and am so anxious, everything fees like as tho it has changed. Last year toward the end of the year I lost my best friend, my dog of 1... View more

Hi all, lil quirky here,A week from school and I am dreading it but also want to go, I'm starting year 12 this year and am so anxious, everything fees like as tho it has changed. Last year toward the end of the year I lost my best friend, my dog of 18 years who I had spent my entire life with, and got a new dog after and it was too quick for me.Year 12 for me I can feel it already being super stressfull but fun at the same time, year 12 may be the worst but best year at the same time, don't get me started on the study I have to fit into my busy life and homework, and exams, and I am not a person who is good at all of that, I'd much rather do production and theatre studies production and stuff instead of the other exam stuff that I won't need in the future, rather than do it all plus afterschool activities.I can't deal with all of this stress of me being the eldest girl and having 3 younger brothers, a new puppy, a single mother, a dad with a new girlfriend and my dad has all his expectations of me going to uni when I dont want to, then on top of that, huge family drama, school stress that hasn't even started yet, and friend drama.I have made a really great group of friends from when we moved from a rural place to more in the city, but having friends comes with the bad things, when someone in the friendship group doesn't really know you and doesn't make the effort to get to know you and seems like they don't like you, you get excluded and aren't welcome in some meet ups, and they spread things around about you that aren't true and tell others that you said something that you would never say, and are trying to turn people against you. It really does suck.This year has some good things about it though, like 18ths, production, theatre studies, finishing school, last days, swimming carnivals, athletics where we get to dress up etc. they all still come with lots of stress, but what doesn't these days.This year may be a rollercoaster, I don't know what do do about that, maybe I can't do anything.Thank you for reading my vent and reading why I am terrified for this year. I hope you have a wonderful year -lil quirky

Gothamfan I still have no friends
  • replies: 1

Hello, so I haven’t been on these forums for a long time but I wanted to come back to them. Around November 2021 I think it was, I made thread/discussion where I talked about how I had recently lost my friends and how I was having a hard time, a year... View more

Hello, so I haven’t been on these forums for a long time but I wanted to come back to them. Around November 2021 I think it was, I made thread/discussion where I talked about how I had recently lost my friends and how I was having a hard time, a year later I’m still having a very hard time. I didn’t realise at that time but that experience gave me trust issues and a fear of being abandoned, I would say it was a build up of unstable relationships over the years but this pushed me over the edge. I now am so scared of being left I never tell anyone anything I don’t open up anymore. I feel like I haven’t been happy in so long and I miss it so much. This past year I have really reached an all time low. I don’t have anyone close enough to talk to about this. I am surrounded by people but I am still so lonely. One thing I have learned from my experiences is that how others treat you is not a reflection of who you are. Sometimes people are just going to be mean and you can’t control that by changing yourself into something they want. thank you for listening I really wanted to come back and update and just share my experience and thoughts. This wasn’t very in-depth but I just don’t have the words to express myself.