Hey @scared01 , reading through your posts it must be so hard for you and I'm so sorry you are feeling that way. I think with psychologists because of the limited time they tend to brush over some topics, but also although their job is to talk to and help others, they may not be able to know exactly what we want to talk about or what is stressing us most in that moment, so sometimes it may help both them and us to help guide them along the way. Do you think you could let her know that this carers situation is really one of the biggest causes of stress on your life atm and that you'd like to focus on making this part of your life better first? And that you really use advice/perspective on it? Also some psychs are great and when they hear that you are a student of are struggling financially, they may agree to see you for much cheaper after your 10 sessions have ended. Do you think you could talk to her about this and that way you are able to receive more continuous support without worrying about your sessions running out? Hope today is a little better ... View more

I want to start reading 'You', it's where that new netflix show with Dan Humphrey came from! The show was sooo good, has anyone read this?! ... View more

@Bananatime04 omg Eddie is sooo adorable <3 ... View more

That actually sounds like an awesome mix! I think its actually so cool you were raised with both religions as that broadens your perspectives and gives you more unique insights into different things in life! And yesss festivals are always so much fun I just love trying all the different food! :P ... View more

Hey @Pearlpancake , I think it is amazing he has a friend like you in such a situation because it makes such a big difference as you can sometimes get lost into the drug use and especially weed if you are smoking so regularly. I have had a few friends myself really struggle with stopping and I understand how it is so hard and can be exhausting on you as a friend seeing him like that everyday. If you don't mind me asking, how long has he been using it regularly for? I think even though for you it may seem like your words are not doing much, but I think that consistency is really something that helps them so much as they are sure to think about it as well. I think as a friend, if you haven't experienced such substances before then it will soo good to read up about weed. For example reading about why people feel like they have to smoke everyday, how it makes them feel etc (you can also ask him directly after reading some info which will be even better!) and really importantly understanding the withdrawal symptoms and struggles he will have once he tries to quit at different time points, which defs includes that next 1st day he tries to not smoke as that will be one of the hardest and biggest steps to overcome. I think understanding little factors like these will allow you to understand him more and also may give you more insight into how to help him, if not stop completely, then cut down his usage which is a huge achievement you both should be proud of as it is much harder than it seems! Let me know what you think, I am always here to talk about this stuff and answer any questions when you need as I understand how hard it is! ... View more

Wooow @Maddyw !! Those photos are amaaaaazing :o My favourite is that last one I literally could stare at that all day, makes me feel like I'm actually at the beach! ... View more

Listening to Come See About Me by Nicki Minaj <3 ... View more

Hey @scared01, I'm so sorry to hear about what you have to go through in the next few months, it must be so tough and exhausting, so for you to be wanting to study on top of that is something you should be so proud of! I will be starting my 5th year at uni this year and I can say it definitely hasn't been easy. But at the same time I couldn't imagine myself going through the last 4 years without being at uni. There were semesters that got too hard and I couldn't handle doing uni full-time while really struggling mentally myself, so I would drop down to just doing 1 subject or 2 subjects for that semester. Other semesters it got to the point where I didn't care much about uni so I wouldn't go to any classes for most the semester, hand in assignments late and at times even didn't turn up to my exams. But what's great is that universities cater for students who are going through tough times and provide things like special consideration for exams, allowing you to re-sit, giving extensions for assignments etc. For example Monash University has a 'Disabilities Support Services' which you can register to and that way you will not have to apply for special consideration each time, instead you will given extensions and things upon request. They cover all things including health issues and surgeries. Even though it has been a very difficult last few years trying to juggle uni, I can definitely say still going to uni despite that helped me so much. It helped provide a distraction a lot of the time, helped me get through hard times when studying things I enjoyed or allowed me to focus on achieving a goal (e.g. high mark). What I found helped the most though was the social network you build during your time there and studying with friends and meeting new people all the time actually made the past few years of my life. It builds your support network and really helps a lot interacting with lots of others when you are struggling through things yourself. It also helps to know that even though you are struggling, you're working towards something you really want to do in the future! I can definitely say I am so glad I stuck through with uni even though I wanted to give up so many times and drop out. It's made my life so much better now in so many ways and opens up so many opportunities for experiences, jobs and making new lifelong friends! Hope this helps :) ... View more

omg what!! @lokifish which episode number is the new one? My netflix has gone to an earlier episode cos someone else has been watching it D: ... View more

Hey @Eden1717 , I agree with the others and think it is really good and brave of you to be considering telling your psych! :) As @missep mentioned, psychologists are non-judgmental at all, they are there to listen and want to help you in any way they can. Anything at all you tell them is very confidential, unless of course they think you are at serious risk of harm. But as @Bee has mentioned, writing it down is a great way to tell them and you could email them so that they could read it without you there if that would help make telling them a bit easier. They will not tell anyone and I can say from my past experiences, I found I was more surprised every time I had told my psych something embarrassing or something risky I thought they would judge me, see me differently or I would get in trouble but none of that happened at all! They were so supportive and made me feel like there was nothing to be ashamed of every time! And it felt so much better to finally have told someone Do you think trying to email them might help? ... View more

Hey @litgym! I'm sorry to hear things have been so hard :( For your sister, do you think you could do other things with her like watch a movie/Netflix which require less energy? Or do you think you could try going outside and doing something fun with her, even mini golf or kicking a soccer ball etc? Do you think ideas like these may help to relieve that guilty feeling a bit and instead might help you feel great for spending time with her and yourself in general after playing outside in fresh air or watching something you enjoy? As for Netflix I would HIGHLY recommend 'Jane the Virgin' !! It's such a funny and happy show, I found it helped me to watch that whenever I felt down and wanted to pass time. Then I got very addicted to it!! ... View more

@mizzybooklover the day I can do that will be an achievement     I am proud of myself for going to sleep last night instead of watching Netflix for hours again!! :P ... View more

Welcome @thetinyhealer !! Looking forward to seeing you around on the forums :D ... View more

Hey @dremo ! I am so sorry to hear how you have been feeling, I understand you must feel so let down by those around you and alone. But know how brave, strong and inspiring you are for continuing to do everything you do (especially med school!!) despite how you have been struggling. I think everyone has provided some very useful advice here and I can say from my own past experience last year during a similar time I was struggling through, I found being open to joining new uni clubs, sports, getting a new job or even saying hi to the person you buy coffee regularly from and starting a conversation - as unappealing and scary these small random ideas may be sounding right now, when I made myself reach out in all these different areas of my life, they eventually all helped me so much in their own way and turned my life around! I started to build all these different connections with people I never expected to ever and I'm so happy to say I have made some amazing, lasting, new great friends as a result. Hope the last few days have been a little better <3 We are always here <3 ... View more

I am proud of myself for simply sleeping early last night! I feel so much more awake instead of being groggy and drinking coffee all day! :) ... View more

@Esperanza67 @litgym literally listening to Halsey right now as I was reading this, she is so good <3 ... View more

Hey @redhead, I'm so sorry to hear you've been going through such a tough time, I can't imagine how you must be feeling but I just want to say that I can see you truly are so strong and brave for continuing to try so hard despite how hard it is and what you are going through. And as @Jay-RO mentioned, we are all so proud and happy you are here, it definitely takes a lot of courage to call an ambulance and I am so sure you have inspired many others (including me) in your persistence! <3 I hope you have an amazing day and do some fun things, do you have much planned? ... View more

Welcome @michaelthomas!!   What is your favourite thing to do over the   xmas / new year break!? Everything!! I love being able to do nothing on the holidays but then also seeing so many friends and looove the christmas vibes everywhere you go :)     How keen are you for holidays? The most keen I've ever been :D   Do you have any special new years eve plans? Having a chill one this year, but will defs be with friends :P   What was your favourite thing about 2018? (Feel free to share some awesome RO goodnees) Getting involved with ReachOut and joining the mod program has definitely been one of the highlights! The weekend away with all the other amazingg people, constantly giving out positive vibes and encouraging each other was exactly what I needed! An amazing bunch to be around :)   In one word sum up 2018 Enlightenment   How do you feel about fireworks!? Love them    ... View more

You're doing great @Tommy-420, we are always here for when you need some support! Hope you have a great Christmas :) ... View more

That's good to hear, hope you've been doing well! Yeah I've been good, just so busy with everything this time of the year! How are things going with your partner? ... View more

You're welcome @Tommy-420 , just glad to hear it helps! :) And no worries at all, no pressure in replying ever! How are you feeling now? ... View more

Hey @Jaredlange1, I think the others are right in being careful not to push too hard as that is also important as it shows you respect her space. It sounds like she's tried opening up and trusting a few people in the past for support and they have ended up not sticking around or being there when she needed. I think you can show her you are different by doing what you are already doing and keep letting her know you are here for when she is ready to talk and as @Sunflower18 has said, keep checking in on her so she knows you really are there for her and do really care. Little things like that can mean so much to someone and show so much more than words! Your friend may need a lot of time so don't give up on her! But it sounds like your friend is very lucky to have you! :) ... View more

Hey @Tommy-420, I'm so sorry to hear what you have been going through. It must be so tough having to fight all those battles in your head by yourself. I understand how it may feel like everyone else has their own things to deal with and that you are adding to that if you talk to them about your issues. But just like when a friend comes to us upset, we do not tend to think at all about how they are making us worry or adding to problems, but instead we are glad they came to us and we want to help, in fact we would much rather the people we loved come to us than have to deal with things on their own. So when the tables are turned and we are in need of support, we can sometimes forget this and tend to think the opposite as our minds can play tricks on us, but try to remember it from the other point of view in times like that!  For me personally, I used to find it extremely difficult to talk in person and avoided it at all costs and used to prefer writing too. I also understand how daunting it may sound to see a psychologist as I too avoided that too for a long time. But it really can help to see a psychologist when things are weighing down other aspects of our life.  I used to write down my issues or thoughts down on a word document and send them to a trusted friend and counsellor when I very first started off talking about things and opening up to other people. This helped a lot because I couldn't bring myself to talk about things in person and this way it allowed them to really understand me and what was going on. They would read my documents and then respond in person and slowly, I started to be able to talk about things more and more. As much as I was afraid and even ashamed to share some of the things I wrote, I found finally sharing them with other people helped me in so many ways.   Do you think any of this may help you too? Hope you're having a good day ... View more

Hi @Jaredlange1 and welcome!! I think it is amazing you are concerned about your friend and it is clear you care a lot about her! I think some people find it a lot more harder to open up and trust people than other people do and there is usually always a reason behind this, whether it is they never really had anyone to talk to growing up or they may have opened up in the past to have it not end so well. I think the most you can do is to simply talk to her and let her know how you feel, that you are concerned and that you have noticed she is going through a really hard time and you really want to help. Let her know that you will be here when she is ready to talk and you will continue to support her even if she isn't or encourage her to talk to another trusted individual. I think maybe even asking and trying to find out the reasons why she may be afraid to open up will help you understand her more and show you how to best approach this. E.g. If she is afraid telling you about her issues will drag you down, reassure her they will not (many people also tend to think this way, especially in times of feeling down).   What do you think about this? Don't forget to make sure you're looking after yourself too!   ... View more

I am so in love with Ariana Grande's 'Thank u, next' !! I have had it on repeat for days I love it and it's also such a great, positive way of looking at things after hard times, I love her  ... View more

This thread is a great idea! I feel like sometimes we can be so stressed we forget to do the things we love and this thread reminds us how important that is and gives so many new options for everyone try!   I love to just go over to to my friends house and all watch movies all day, order in lots of food, play games (really hooked on mario kart atm hahaha) and just enjoy the day together relaxing and doing whatever we like!  ... View more

@N1ghtW1ng yes! I am pretty sure you can transfer universities after just 1 year (I think, may be different for different universities so make sure to check your policies) to any you would like if you maintain a certain grade! You could even transfer into a course that requires a lower ATAR at that university and do an internal course transfer after just 1 semester!   If things don't work out don't be discouraged! Make sure to look at the policies/eligibility criteria and steps required ahead of time so you don't miss any dates and you will find it is not as difficult or scary as it may feel to get into universities of your choice! There are so many options out there!!  ... View more

Second last question guys!! :)   6. What are some other ways to go to uni if things don't work out?     ... View more

@Alison5Oh for sure! I literally took like 5 hours sometimes to get through a lecture when I studied business because I was so uninterested but now as weird as it sounds I can't wait to get started on my readings for psych and really enjoy doing assignments as they are usually on topics I find so interesting! Hahahaha aww thanks @Jess-RO ! I love quotes so that is an awesome compliment :D ... View more

@Alison5 to be honest I used to be like that for a long time too, I didn't really have a preference towards what I studied I just chose business because it seemed like it had options. I always thought I was never going to know what I enjoyed doing and would just work in business because of that. But I found my love for psychology out of nowhere, 3 years after uni and it just came to me! It gave me so much motivation and changed things so much in the best way, so don't give up! Keep trying new things too and one day you might realise you love something you never thought you would! :) ... View more