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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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Depression Diagnoses

replies: 2

I have recently been clinically diagnosed with depression , and when I found out, I felt even worse in myself, and cried the whole night and next day, is it normal? Or am I even worse than they originally thought?

I can't handle the social anxiety anymore

replies: 2

I've been struggling with social anxiety for about 3 years now. It got bad when I started university, it was a whole new environment and i couldn't handle it. Everyday was a constant battle with myself and I felt i had no control over my life. I constantly thought people were judging me and criticising me, i was paranoid all the time. It got worse and i started getting panic attacks. I realised that the way i was feeling and acting wasn't normal, so i went and saw a psychologist. He taught me some good relaxing techniques to calm me down and helped me control the bad thoughts. And i got a bit better after that, i had a good period, i tried really hard to get out of my comfort zone. But then it just slowly built up again and the next year i dropped out of university. Not just because of the social anxiety but also because i didn't like it. Up until now my social anxiety hasn't gotten worse but its still always there, i still struggle with it everyday i have just gotten use to it i guess, I try to block it out. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a bit over a year ago, which has been quite hard to deal with, its always in the back of my mind. Its just another thing about my body that I have no control over. Im now in college studying again. Ive always been ambitious, i wanted to go back to school and get a good job because my future freaks me out a lot. If I'm going to get a good job etc. Im also a perfectionist which stresses me out a lot, especially when it comes to school and my grades. I have made a few friends, but not close ones. I sit with them in some of my classes but not the lectures. We don't speak that much, i find it so hard to make small talk or keep the conversation going. Its exhausting! I hate going to college sometimes because I'm just scared that I'm going to embarrass myself or say something stupid. And I'm scared that the teacher is going to ask me a question because my mind goes blank and i feel everyone stares at me and is judging me and i start sweating. Its just been building up and i can't talk to anyone about it because I'm embarrassed that I'm like this way. I just don't want to be like this anymore, and i try so hard to switch the negative thoughts off but i just can't. What scares me the most is how long am I going to be like this. How am i going to meet people, get a job, finish university? I have tried everything. I was wondering what someones thoughts on antidepressants is, and if it might help me?

Social Anxiety

replies: 4

So for the past 6 years close to 7 ever since I've left school I left early as it wasn't for me and ever since I've really never left my house I lost all my friends and haven't really got anyone I can really call a friend besides my dog, I don't exactly know what the issue is but I feel as if its some sort of anxiety I find it really hard leaving the house I feel like everybody is just looking at me and judging and I can't handle it to the point I didn't even want to be the niece and nephews god father because I was too scared to get up in front of people I really find it hard doing things a normal 19 year old should be doing I've never worked a day in my life and have only ever had one interview I physically cannot go out and talk to people I find it really difficult and it saddens me some days I feel down and think I'm stupid and worthless I haven't exactly told my parents much of this they believe it's just "Confidence" and keep trying to push me into things I physically know that I cannot do and I just find it extremely difficult and it's putting a lot of stress on me and I don't think i'd ever tell them I don't know why I just can't do that and I don't think I would ever be able to tell them my mother wants me to go see a doctor but I just can't do that I feel as if i'm weak seeking help for 4 years now I've told myself that I can fix this on my own but I feel as if nothings going anywhere I'm still sitting in my house doing nothing with my life I don't even know what's wrong I just want to be a normal 19 year old. If I go out I have to be drinking and had a good amount of alcohol to socialize with anyone otherwise I'll sit there on my own too scared to talk to anyone. Sorry for the thread being very long but if there's anyone else out there that is also going through something like this I'd love to know so I know i'm not the only one or if anyone thinks they may have an idea as to what I may be going through that'd also be great.

Beat depression?

replies: 2

hey guys just wondering if I could have some tips on how to get my mind positive, and keep it off the thought of depression?

Trapped in depression and loneliness

replies: 9

My heart is smashed into a million pieces and it can never be fixed. I held this depression for 9 years and still i can't accept that i don't belong to the community. I'm always lonely, must mean that i don't have a good personality or something that i'm just not accepted for. I can never meet someone who would understand me, maybe i did but they moved schools and this always have to end the friendship. I even explained to some classmates but they didn't bother to help and they think i'm over reacting. I try to follow my classmates just to allow myself feel belong like everyone but all that happens in the end is i'm replace but someone else. I've heard some stories that staring a youtube channel will make you feel special, but that didn't help me. I tried speaking to counsellors but all i'm given is the respond to exactly how i feel, the points about how to feel better didn't help me much. I'm still trapped. Everyone hates me, i don't belong, i don't understand why i'm alive, i wish i wasn't born in the first place. beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Things are going downhill fast

replies: 7

I've been suffering anxiety and depression for years now, I went through a really rough patch mid last year and after nearly 6 years of going without medical help I finally plucked up the courage to talk to a GP about everything and it helped a lot. I even got to the point where my doc was okay with lowering and eventually stopping my medication. In December last year, the store my boyfriend and I worked at went under and over 40 people lost their jobs along with us. We were looking at apartments to finally move out together and then all the money we saved to move out suddenly moved to keeping ourselves afloat until one of us could get a job, we also discussed that I would finish my diploma as I am eligible for gov benefits but he isn't so he would look for a job. Nearly 5 months later and he still hasn't found a job and I am almost finished studying. I'm finding my anxiety and depression is the worst it's been in my life. I cannot for the life of me get out of bed in the morning anymore, I'm only a subject away from finishing my diploma but have no motivation to do anything. I'm finding nothing I do makes me happy anymore, I unfortunately snap at my boyfriend over petty things, my self esteem is at an all time low, I have trouble accepting the fact that he really does love me. I live with him and his parents because I can't support myself and I honestly feel paranoid that they're talking behind my back about me, regardless of whether I'm pulling my weight or not. I feel like I'm just a burden on them. I know I need to see my GP again and I will next week but I just don't know what else to do anymore, I just can't seem to find happiness in anything anymore.

Anxiety and depression

replies: 4

This is my first time posting. I guess I just want to write down how I'm feeling somewhere Ive never told anyone that I feel this way and when I try they tell me that I'm just over reacting and that I need to get over it. For years Ive told myself I don't actually have a mental condition and that I was just seeking attention. But after eight years of feeling this way I know it can't be that. I think I have dysthymia (chronic depression) I've done lots of research and it describes me perfectly. Im constantly sad and tired. I feel hopeless and like I can't ever be bothered doing anything. I don't really enjoy anything. I'm scared that if I don't get help I'll just stay this way forever, being alive but not actually living or really feeling anything. I also believe that I have anxiety. I get anxiety over just about anything but its mainly triggered by social encounters. My friends and family think I'm just shy and anti-social its more than that. Going to class or answering my phone gives me anxiety attacks. This usually happens at least once a day. I can't breathe, my heart starts beating really fast, I get really hot and I feel like I'm going to throw up. They happen so regularly that I can carry on a conversation while one is happening because Im so used to it. I know I need to change my life if I have any chance of actually being happy. But I'm not sure how. I know I want to drop out of university because I hate it and I'm not even interested in the career path I'm on. I know I want to leave where I'm living now and move back home with my parents. I know I need help. I just don't know how. I don't know how to talk to the people around me and I don't know how to get professional help. If anyone can give me any tips on how to get any sort of help that would be really great. Otherwise I know it would be helpful to hear from anyone going through something similar who can give me any kind of advice Thanks Belle x

Depression's the norm, not the exception.

replies: 3

I've been "depressed" for about 4 years now—I'm using quotes because, well...my experience with it has been completely bizarre. If you looked at my life on paper, you'd never think I was depressed. Relatively speaking, things are good (and not just in a superficial way). I have longtime friends, a caring family, I've accomplished a lot of things that I know are meaningful. But on the inside, it's like someone dunked me in bleach. Emotionally, I'm completely blank 95% of the time. I don't feel sad or angry. Just empty. I don't know why it started. It just kind of crept up on me. At first it was really hard. I'd just sit around doing nothing, because I had no sense of emotional motivation/direction—for big things (life goals), or even small things (interacting with people). For example, someone at school would tell a joke. I would normally expect to laugh. Instead, it was like the feeling just never came. Like someone had gone in and snipped wires in my brain. Now I'm better at it. Essentially, I just fake everything. It works. But it's exhausting. I have to think about every decision I make and everything I do rationally. And even though I do all the things that should help me feel better (tons of exercise, playing in a band, reading, talking to lots of different people), none of it has the slightest effect on me. Even though I'm fine on the surface, I can't make emotional connections with anything or anyone (even though they might be connected to me). Overall, I'm just completely burned out and I'm not sure what to do about it.

Chest pains + random spurts of shortness of breath

replies: 9

I've had generalised anxiety disorder for quite a few years now and I know my body and my mind and when my anxiety is flaring up, all that stuff. But lately, I've been having chest pains just at random, they last about 5 or 6 seconds and then go away, only to come back again sometimes 10 minutes later, sometimes not for a couple of hours. That's gotten better less frequent, but I've started noticing I get short of breath even when I'm not doing anything?? Even just sitting on the couch. I don't have asthma and I've been to the doctors who did a blood test but haven't gotten a result yet. I'm thinking my anxiety could be getting worse?? thinking about that makes me anxious. being sick with no answers makes me anxious :s

Every I hate myself. I am never good enough

replies: 3

Hi, Every day I struggle with low self-esteem. I know I am not good enough, I am surrounded by facts that prove it. I have moved cities for a job and to be with my partner. But it's been 2 years and I have no friends and I am absolutely miserable. I have only put on a staggering amount of weight, gotten to the point that I thought I would never reach (obese now). Struggle to figure out what to say people, always self-conscious and awkward. I honestly don't know how to interact with people anymore. I don't feel good about myself. I look horrible in clothes. My mother lives far from me and every conversation I have is about my weight. I have tried diets and exercise, but the weight just bounces back so fast and seems impossible to lose. I feel so alone. Even my partner comments about my weight almost every day. He jokes about it and doesn't intend to be malicious, but we all know what he's doing. Even aside from the weight I am an introvert and struggle to make friends. But when I do I made a few close ones. But now the best friend I have left is interstate, we don't speak as much anymore because life just happens. Everyone around me is just better. They are better looking, smarter, they have lots of friends. People tell stories about their weekends of birthdays and movies and doing fun stuff. I have none of that. Part of my job is doing this other qualification that you have to sit a few exams for. People sometimes say I'm smart. But I have failed every exam for this qualification and have to keep sitting supplementaries. Thank God so far at least I have passed the supp. But even then people study less and do better. I am at a work environment where everyone performs better. Every day all I see are facts of my inadequacy. I have turned into a totally negative person. But these are the facts that I am handed with. How can I make myself feel good when all the clothes I wear look horrible or it's a huge struggle because I'm fat. I've been good at sports as a child. I have horrible coordination and already have bad self-consciousness... everything seems to spiral. I don't even like my job but another year I tell myself is what it takes for me to get my qualification, but even then I have junior staff who started later than me and have caught up. They are likely to pass the recent exam where I have failed. More embarrassment again.

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

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

Depression Diagnoses replies: 2

I can't handle the social anxiety anymore replies: 2

Social Anxiety replies: 4

Beat depression? replies: 2

Trapped in depression and loneliness replies: 9

Things are going downhill fast replies: 7

Anxiety and depression replies: 4

Depression's the norm, not the exception. replies: 3

Chest pains + random spurts of shortness of breath replies: 9

Every I hate myself. I am never good enough replies: 3