Back to skewl... to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool!
"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!!!!"
That earth shattering surprise as you try to open your eyes, and suddenly remember what day it is. You don't want to be torn away; your bed is so warm and the promise of what kind of dreams it bears it irresistable. Pulling back the sheets, you rub your eyes and give one big stretch and a yawn. It's only dawn but the time moves on and you think "just 5 more minutes...."
So I'm certain you've all been eagerly anticipating this time of year again... No? You've all gotten so used to sleeping in just that while longer, spending your days assessment free, doing what you want when you want knowing there are so many days in the holidays to do all those things you shoulda, orta, coulda done before this day has arrived again. And suddenly it's hear and all those memories of free time have blissfully disappeared into a new thought..... Today I go back to school.
Starting school can mean meeting new people, juggling new subjects and even that dreaded H word....."Homework!" And with this in mind, we often experience a range of different emotions towards our education and the environment we enter in. For me, the first day was always uncertain. Coming from a small country town, you never knew what each year would bring. How much effort I needed to concentrate into my work, what teachers I was stuck with, whilst upholding a social life and all other activities I endured during a week.
Whether you're heading back to school or TAFE this week - or those days are long gone but you've got some tips to share, join us in the forums this Monday (3rd of February) at 8pm AEST, to tell us about your first day of school.
@dreamcatcher it became really difficult when I was on clinical placement because the girl I was with and living with kept asking me what I got and marks for everything. Just to give herself an ego boost. Yeah we know you're better than me at this because of your past experience in nursing...so shut up about it. It really, really affected me. I stopped telling her my marks and what I was told and just said I was happy and pleased.
@_sagira_ Good on you! That's an excellent step to take. I really should try it sometime, I am very guilty of getting mixed up in the comparing of marks 😕
This year I don't want to get caught up in my own head about my grades. I'm constantly putting myself down, saying that what I do isn't good enough. I never acknowledge my hard work or achievements. I just focus on my flaws.
@florenceforever wrote:
This year I don't want to get caught up in my own head about my grades. I'm constantly putting myself down, saying that what I do isn't good enough. I never acknowledge my hard work or achievements. I just focus on my flaws.
Me too florenceforever. I never think that what I do is good enough, even when I get a really good mark. I definitely need to improve my positive self talk! I find self-rewarding is a good strategy to combat that negative self talk too.
Unfortunately, I think that is something that we are all guilty of.
@dreamcatcher I actually lost a friend last year. She always asked my marks and when I told her, it would upset her because I usually got a slightly higher mark than her. Then when I decided to just say I was happy with my marks, she stopped talking to me. It feels like there is no pleasing some people. But as long as I am pleased with myself, then all is well.
@unrealreality wrote:
@dreamcatcher I actually lost a friend last year. She always asked my marks and when I told her, it would upset her because I usually got a slightly higher mark than her. Then when I decided to just say I was happy with my marks, she stopped talking to me. It feels like there is no pleasing some people. But as long as I am pleased with myself, then all is well.
Really? Wow...that seems extreme. At the end of the day it's personal information really and you don't need to indulge it to anyone if you don't want to. I figure it's fine if people want to tell me their marks, but don't expect me to tell you...no matter how many times you ask.
@florenceforever yes...good one! Not getting caught in your own head! I find CBT approaches help with breaking it all down and moving past it for me. LIke writing down my thoughts...examining them and seeing if there is any justification and truth to them...and then what I can do about it.
What's your best tip for staying organised?
I AM THE LIST QUEEN.
I seriously make lists for EVERYTHING, I kid you not.
Wow, some of you love lists. I agree it can be a great way to keep track of things...when I remember to follow it!
More tips time!
Sometimes when you're studying hard it can be difficult to stay motivated, especially if you aren't passionate about your topic. Give us your number one motivation tip!
To certianly keep motivated, I ensure that all my classmates that I'm in contact with and I get the questions itself.
We often sit in the TAFE library and nut out the assessment together then branch off and find our material and go from there. It helps a lot to know that someone else has the same problem or has a better understand of the topic than most. Once last year we had a 2nd year Diploma lady join our group to help with our unit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support, she opened our eyes big time to what was expected of us and to become better support workers.
My support network is my motivation!!
Number 1 motivation tip: Remember that one day, all the hard work and stress will be worth it. And even if I don't get there, I can make myself and my family proud anyway.
Give us your number one motivation tip!
This is a hard one! No one thing seems to work twice for me! A lot of very positive self talk always helps. As does becoming getting energised. I always feel motivated to do things after I've exercised or moved! If I don't feel like going for a walk/run, or don't have, then I go jump on my trampoline for 10 minutes, or until I'm motivated!!
@florenceforever gotta love the trampoline! Sometimes I feel the opposite on hot days like these, if i exercise in 40 degree heat like today, motivation is no longer an option haha
@Kirdybirdy - Luckily I live in Tasmania - not many of those 40 degree days come my way! Actually, they never do...
@florenceforever wrote:
@Kirdybirdy - Luckily I live in Tasmania - not many of those 40 degree days come my way! Actually, they never do...
Woot for Tassie's cooler weather! 😄
It's going to get to 18 degrees here in Tassie tomorrow @Lightuptheworld ! Time to find my stockings?
That sounds like heaven. I can't cope with anything above about 25degrees, and where I am we've been getting over 30 every day and above 25 a lot of nights.
@unrealreality - yeah I actually don't mind it. The 20 degree changes in weather in 24 hours aren't incredibly fun though!
I'll be in Canberra for a week in a couple of days - looking forward to some consistant hot weather! I'm sure I'll be glad to go back home though 🙂
Sometimes when you're studying hard it can be difficult to stay motivated, especially if you aren't passionate about your topic. Give us your number one motivation tip!
IT WILL END!!!!!
Studying with friends helps me when the topic isn't one I enjoy. That and focusing on the end goal. And as _sagira_ said, I just keep telling myself 'it WILL end'! Even if it doesn't feel like it at the time.
@_sagira_ 'It will end' totally reminds me of 'This too shall pass'!
Give us your number one motivation tip!
Try and be positive about your skills and what you can achieve!
Focus on a bigger picture. Where are you going to be in five years time? Will this get you there? Then go for it!
Ohh I think I'm going to skip this one, see what everyone else says, I kind of drove myself around in circles with this one with my final 2 years of high school! I think I tried so many things it wasn't funny...
But for me I've got to keep a balance between starting early enough to finish it and leaving it late enough to hit the "I have to get this done" mode 😛
