Ask A Pro Live: Study Stress - September 2019
Whether you’re in your last year of school, trying to improve your grades or navigating life at University or TAFE - I think we can all agree that at times studying is stressful. You have to manage your time, understand the content, complete assignments and make deadlines. All whilst juggling family, friends and everything in between.
It’s enough to make your head implode!
In the lead up to this discussion we're also creating Study Stress profiles. If you'd like to join in you'll find the thread here. We also had a special discussion about this topic a couple of weeks ago which you can read back on and contribute to here.
Join us on Thursday the 26th of September from 7-9pm AEST to talk all things Study Stress!
So if there's anything you've ever wanted to know about how to manage study stress now is the time to ask! Watch this space, as soon we will be introducing our wonderful guests who will join us on the forums to talk all things managing study stress. I know many of you will have questions for our guests - please send them all through via the google form below.
@Esperanza67 @Bee @lokifish @mrmusic @ecla34 @N1ghtW1ng @roseisnotaplant @scared01 @redhead @LeoTheLion @MissX @FootyFan26 @DirtWitch @LadyMacbeth00 @Grake @elly123 @amywells21 @Mila28 @Quaintrelle @SpiderGirl18 @sibh @Amy9 @mspaceK @Sanguine @NBAM21 @Iridescence @Karinaskii @nxmita_pa @Alison5 @cerulean @SkyIsTheLimit @chocolateislife18 @DontWait @gezellig @seadreamer @dog_lover94 @Motty91 @GM24 @rose13 @ThinkerGirl28 @caseyleehs @neonsnow @TalaForest16 @Jakob @amypond @positivepenny @someone123 @Jrt14 @lr8991 @Mily @Dani @Hummingbird@Han1993 @marshmallows @Sunflower18 @RockPaperScissorsMelon @Stardust23 @Loudcloud @MitchellClifford @ami-lee @Gumi Gumi @Ally-Leesh-
How can someone manage the stress of studying for future assessments when they failed previous ones? What advice would you have for someone who is concerned about failure?
I think the main thing is about having a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. Studies have suggested that individuals with a growth mindset, where they believe that their character, creativity, learning and intelligence can grow over time, may put in extra effort, leading to greater achievement. There are some really great videos explaining this on YouTube.
Sometimes, it comes down to changing your thoughts about your studying habits. We can be really hard on ourselves and think that there's no point in trying again if we've failed in the past. But we don't really know how we will do until after we try again. Just because you've failed previous assignments, doesn't mean that you're a failure in everything.
I agree with @ecla34 that talking to a teacher or tutor can be really helpful!
Are there any last tips or thoughts anyone would like to add before we wrap up? @Roxy879 @ecla34 @WheresMySquishy @scared01
And that is a wrap on our Ask a Pro Live with @Roxy879 on Study Stress!
I want to extend a heart felt thank you to the amazing Roxy for sharing her thoughts, experiences, strategies and insights with us today! Your openness to talking about the shape study stress has taken in your life, and the ways you have learnt about yourself and your needs to cope is truly inspirational! We are so grateful for your time, and wish you all the best in finishing your degree!
On behalf of our community THANK YOU!
Also a huge thank you to those who joined in our conversation live tonight @ecla34 @WheresMySquishy @scared01- reading back through your responses, I can see such insight and an incredible variety of strategies! This thread will be a great resource for others reading to learn new ways they can cope with the stress of study!
If you are joining this discussion after the live event, please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences too!
Goodnight everyone and thank you for an awesome live chat! Keen to see what our next live chat will be? Keep an eye out for our October calendar of forum activities coming soon!
@Jess1-RO Thank you so much for having me! It was great speaking with you! Thank you for sharing about yourself!
@scared01 @WheresMySquishy @ecla34 Thank you for your own personal insights, it was fantastic reading your experiences! I enjoyed every second with speaking with you!
@xXLexi_Lou122Xx i'm not sure if this is helpful at all, but if i'm starting to get exhausted from study stress i try to take a day/half-day (if possible) where I have a complete brain break from study, and focus on something else entirely, not sure if that might also work for you? 
I know taking a day off can make you feel behind and so isn't always helpful...
Can I ask one other question?
Are there any ways to help with burnout? Sorry if this has already been answered.
I don't know if I'm in the middle of burnout, but I'm definitely in the unhealthy part of stress...
@scared01 You're welcome! I really enjoyed being here tonight and chatting with you all!
@Jess1-RO I used to think of my end goals to get myself through my HSC and degree. I really hate studying, but I would imagine my future success and the rewards I would get out of it.
@Jess1-RO just that it was really nice to hear everyone's different experiences and ways of dealing with study stress We're definitely a varied bunch 😄 It's nice to get tips i've never even thought of!
How can someone manage the stress of studying for future assessments when they failed previous ones? What advice would you have for someone who is concerned about failure?
I'm going to answer this one too, because this is something that passes my mind when I study!
I think the big thing is remembering that a mark does not define your worth, your skill, your strengths, or what you do in the future! As someone who didn't finish school, and was too stressed to sit my HSC, I carried this stress with me for a while. Then I came to a point that I realised, that it does not define me or my trajectory!
My advice would be that failing an assessment does not define you, or reflect your worth or skill It is okay to fail- I sure do! We are human and with the right support, we can takes steps forward!
@Jess1-RO Thank you so much for sharing that! That took a lot of bravery and courage and love that response!
This is so powerful @Roxy879 : "The best thing you can do is doing your best! But even your best may not be everything! But that's okay! All you can ask of yourself is to try and to perform your best!"
Hearing your story and what you have learnt from your study experience is so inspirational
@WheresMySquishy ooo good point about balancing study stress with other stressors!
@Roxy879 true! It varies by person, and even by subject! I feel like it's also possible to overstudy material sometimes, where you aren't really progressing any further even if you keep on studying. That's why when people say things like, spend an hour studying for each hour in class it's not all that useful. It's a bit like asking how long's a piece of string 😛
(also lmaooooooo)
"It’s not the matter of studying for a long period of time, it's also how effectively you study and the methods you use." Fantastic answer @Roxy879, I could not agree more!
Duration and study methods differ from person to person, and taking the time to learn what works for you is so important! For some people duration of study may be longer or shorter, or even differ day to day! Whatever your optimal study time is, do what works for you 
Kareoke app sounds amazing @WheresMySquishy! I just recently got spotify, and it has been so great for stress! I have a ton of mood based playlist to sing along to, so helpful
So agree with you @scared01, so many awesome strategies- I can't wait to try some of the new ones I have learnt here tonight!
@WheresMySquishy i'm just imagining everyone in this discussion singing while they post 
@ecla34 funny that you say that! I have Youtube open on a separate tab and I'm just singing to the songs I'm choosing!
