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.
So as I kind of mentioned, I'm starting my first year of a Bachelor of Psychology and a Diploma of Languages (either French or Latin, I haven't decided yet). If I survive these and graduate, then I want to do law and move to Melbourne and live happily ever after!
@unrealreality you certainly sound like you have your hands full with studying at the moment. Wow languages! I certainly couldn't manage that work load, good on you!!!
I'm currently onto my 2nd Year of Diploma of Community Services Work, not sure where I'll go next after it, may work for a year then go onto Bachelor of Psychology, who knows. Working up my responsibilities I suppose!
Now we now what you love study (and wow you all study such a range of different interesting things!) we're going to move on to something different...
School can be tough/stressful sometimes or sometimes our personal lives can impact our studying.
- What things stress you out the most at school, TAFE or Uni?
- What can you do to decrease your stress?
- Who can you talk to if things become too stressful?
Like I said earlier, for me, the most stressful thing is having to put effort in, and receiving marks/feedback. Its terrifying, not knowing if what I have put so much into was what the marker wanted. If it isn't, it makes me feel horrible.
To decrease my stress, I try to practice yoga and meditation when I can, or I'll sit and have a few minutes of mindfulness. If nothing works, then online window shopping is always useful!
If things get too much, I know I can talk to my mum and the staff at the uni, but I don't have a very good track record for that. Oops...
@unrealreality wrote:
Like I said earlier, for me, the most stressful thing is having to put effort in, and receiving marks/feedback. Its terrifying, not knowing if what I have put so much into was what the marker wanted. If it isn't, it makes me feel horrible.
Feedback stresses me out too! I get sick with worry for weeks if I think I've failed something. My fear of failure is really high :(. Got to get better at that this year because it is so counterproductive!
School can be tough/stressful sometimes or sometimes our personal lives can impact our studying.
- What things stress you out the most at school, TAFE or Uni?
-being overwhelmed by the AMOUNT of work I have to do.
-getting severly anxious because I feel like I can't get through it all
-ummm...for some reason I also have a lot of anxiety around being a people pleaser and wanting people to like me...so that adds to it with wanting to be friends with all my peers. I've kind of tried to stop that. Will see what happens this year.
- getting rundown by all the stress that it increases my mental health issues, that I experience symptoms that make me sick...getting no sleep and then taking exams and not being about to focus and concentrate. It all kind of compounds on top of itself.
So yeah this is why I'm kind of freaking out about going back.
- What can you do to decrease your stress?
- I do yoga almost everyday.
- meditation
-mindfulness
- journal
-paint
-draw
-play with my pet lizard
-garden
-make candles
-get crafty in general
-hang out with friends
- Who can you talk to if things become too stressful?-
- my psychologist
- my psychiatrist
- friends
- lifeline or beyondblue
Hey @_sagira_ Thanks for joining us tonight 🙂
It certainly can be hard being in an environment when you don't know too many people and adding the stress of assessment and study can be bit pressure to deal with. Your so motivating!! to know you have so many great alternatives to destress is awesome!
@unrealreality - I'm very much the same. I hate the period of time between handing in an assignment and waiting for my marks back. I'm always thinking about it and worrying about it! This year I want to work on not doing that, because there's no point worrying about something that I can't do anything about once I've handed it in! I want to focus on working really hard to hopefully eliminate that fear of *failure*
@unrealreality thats some awesome ways to relax and unwind! I've been listening to SmilingMind recently before I go to bed to help me clear everything out of my dusty brain
I love SmilingMind! I often use it if I'm having trouble getting to sleep, since its so calming and nice.
@unrealreality - coincidentally i'm doing the same degree as you! I'm also looking at doing a diploma of languages but I don't know how the work load is going to be. How are you finding doing both?
Well, I have credit from previous study where courses overlapped, so that helps. But I guess, since they're things I love, doing 50 units each year (after this one) seems to me like it will be worth it. Where theres a will, theres a way.
Also, I think because they are so different, they will each offer a reprieve from the other, which will be nice, as I can keep my mind active but not be focusing on solely one thing.
That sounds great @unrealreality ! I still need to give it a lot of thought, as I don't have a lot of time on my hands. It's always something I can do later in life though!
I couldn't agree more!
@Learn-to-fly wrote:
Another big bummer is buying textbooks for Uni they add up fast 😕
The best thing I did during my holidays would have been catching up with friends and family; most importantly seeing my best friend getting married over the weekend. Woo.
The best thing about stating a new term is that organised buzz, the new stationary getting everything ready to begin the new study period with the best intentions.
The worst thing is realising all the pressure and stress of study is back again. Last year of study for me though so woo!
Welcome @Learn-to-fly !
I cant relate to the cost of books because I'm a tafe and get loads of paper instead! But i can imagine the costs
Sounds like a lot of you are into Psych/Sociology for your subjects!!! But I'm sure most of you dread the M word... Math!!!!
Which leads us to our next question, knowing we have a variety of people on here that attend school, Uni, TAFE.
We'd like to know what year you'll be going into and what you'll be studying????
We'd like to know what year you'll be going into and what you'll be studying????
I'll be doing first year psych and sociology as part of a Bachelor of Social Science which will hopefully be a pathway to me going into a Bachelor or Social Work. I'll also be doing one last subject for my Arts degree in semester two (5th year for a 3 year degree but meh, it's given me time to grow and find out what I really want to do. 🙂 ).
@Lightuptheworld I was doing a Bachelor of Social Work last year. Unfortunately, I found it wasn't for me, and I simply couldn't continue. I'd rather leave that to the people who are amazing enough to do it, like I'm sure you will be!
Hi everyone! I am just jumping into this conversation 🙂
What year you'll be going into and what you'll be studying????
I am going to be in my third year of studying psychology in uni.
WOW!!! So many psych/socy fans out there tonight *waves excitedly*
I love psych and soc so much @dreamcatcher ! I never thought uni was going to be so fun and interesting!
What is your least favourite thing about going back? I have a Stat (statistics) unit this year. Really, REALLY not looking forward to that 😞 #muchhateformaths
Eugh, I have to take maths this semester because I have to do statistics all through my degree. I feel your pain, @dreamcatcher
