Any Tips For Study Stress ?

sorry for the spelling errors am feeling tired

Hey @LostAngel

It sounds like you're doing a massive amount of heavy lifting right now - not just with the coursework, but with the emotional labour of "performing" competence while feeling the squeeze of anxiety underneath.

First of all, give yourself some credit. Transitioning to full-time online study is a culture shock, and the "quiet overachiever" path is often the most exhausting, in my own experience, as no one sees the engine smoking under the hood.

I wanted to share a few practical strategies to help you bridge the gap between that "overachiever" facade and your actual well-being:

- Combat Screen Fatigue and Sensory Overload:

• The 20-by-20 Rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It resets your focus and eases eyestrain.
• Ear Palate Cleansers: since you're already sitting in silence to recover, try adding brown noise or low-frequency nature sounds for 10 minutes after a session. It helps reset the nervous system after the sharp audio of microphones.

- Manage the "Perfect Student" Internal Pressure:

• 80% Rule: aim to complete 80% of your "perfection" standard. Usually, 80% is still higher than another person's 100%. This leaves you with a 20% energy buffer for your mental health.
• Separate Identity from Output: remind yourself, "my grade is a reflection of my familiarity with this specific material today, not a reflection of my worth as a person."

- Structural Boundaries for Online Study:

• The "Commute" Ritual: create a 5-minute ritual to start and end your day. Walk around the block or simply change your shirt when you finish. It tells your brain, "the student is away, the human is home."
• Micro-scheduling Fun: since you struggle to prioritise fun, don't wait for free time (it never comes). Schedule 15 minutes of something purely unproductive, like a game, a hobby, or a silly video, as a mandatory part of your syllabus.

- Handling the Over-Structured Teacher:

• Checklist Freedom: Use their rigid structure to your advantage. Once you hit their specific requirements, stop. If the teacher is satisfied with X, Y and Z, you are officially "allowed" to stop thinking about it. Use their boundaries to define your "done".

- Sleep and Anxiety:

• Since sleep has been an issue, try a "Brain Dump" before bed. Write down every "what if?" or "I must do ..." on a physical piece of paper. Get it out of your head and onto the paper. Tell yourself, "It is safe to let this go, it is on the paper."

You are doing much better than you feel like you are - the fact you're seeking ways to balance this now, rather than waiting for a total burnout, shows you're actually quite self-aware and capable.

@LostAngel

i study online too and I’m adhd/ptsd so I struggle with a lot of overwhelm and also focus.

the way I do things is I break everything down into ridiculous micro steps - literally like “open assignment on computer” etc. I use the pomodoro technique of just doing 20 minute chunks. I aim to answer 1 question, or read one document, and I have an excel document with all the downloaded study materials populated in the cells, so I can track my progress through the material, marking things as read. Then after I've answered one, or done something, I move to the next. At any point where I’m feeling overwhelmed, I use exercises to calm my nervous system. I also have a wind down period at night and I include things I enjoy in that period, not only for self care but so the day comes with some kind of reward after tedium.

also having something to look forward to in the future helps. So say if you have a semester break, plan a weekend away or something like that.

good luck

Hi @LostAngel

I just wanted to stop by because this resonated with me.

I work full time and I'm studying my Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. While trying to manage my diagnoses of OCD, GAD and depression.

It's hard.

But what is helping me...a good friend gave me a piece of advice during a Reiki session and it's been invaluable.

If you need help, ask for it. There are supports out there, you just have to ask. People don't know that you need help and support unless you ask for it.

Since then I've been trying to use the supports that my University offers - speaking up about my challenges, using the online coordinators knowledge and experience, submitting drafts and seeking feedback and I've recently just had my GP fill out the paper work and have been granted an access plan. Which, details the extra supports I need and how the lecturers and online coordinators can support me. It also gives me an automatic seven day extension on my assignments if I need it.

I'm also going to tag a few members who are studying @AuntGlow @tyme @Oaktree @Appleblossom

Hey @LostAngel ,

Great to see you!

A few hinters from my side who studied mainly online:

1) schedule in rest breaks

2) pick units that are lighter to start off with until you know the systems and platforms well

3) speak to your course co-ordinator and get in touch with the wellbeing team to see if you can have a reasonable adjustments plan put in place (differs from uni to uni) - this meant I didn't need a medical certificate each time I needed additional time

4) when tired, it's better to have a break first and start afresh

5) break up tasks into small achieveable steps

Let us know how you go!

Also, I always liked to treat myself once i've achieved the little goals along the way 🙂

@LostAngel it is wonderful news that you are studying. Big Congratulations.Only you can know or juggle all the requirements.

I have not done much online study ... just a bit.

I like that @MatchaToad mentioned screen fatigue, which I struggle with. My eyes get really sore. So time off is important too.

@papermoon @NightFury @tyme had great ideas.

Find your balance in time on and off, and reaching out for reasonable support or extensions as needed.

@LostAngel

I was just reading this article, thought it may help

https://studentedge.org/article/five-study-tips