Study - Getting Back into the Groove

It can be really hard when you have been on a few weeks break away from the hard grind of school, studying, assessments, and associated commitments. Just as you get adjusted to the idea of relaxing and creating a new routine without school and study in the picture, BAM – you are flung black into educational pool and expected to hit the ground running. Such a situation can be hard enough for anyone, let alone those who suffer with mental health issues or illnesses.

This hits me hard: I find it difficult to ‘relax’ without study in the picture; I take a few weeks to get into a routine of work, and to be able to cope with days without any plan; I get severe anxiety in the week and day leading up to study resuming; and, I take a week or two to adjust to the studying routine. Fair to say, it’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. However, over the years I have managed to know what I can do to ensure that my transitions from study to work to doing nothing as smooth as possible. And, luckily for all you readers, I have devised my 8 top tips to help you have an easier transition in and out of study and school.

1. Get organised before the term/semester begins, and in the weekend before the

next week begins

It pays to have a look at the syllabus that is ahead of you, and organize any textbooks or resources you may need before you need them. An added bonus, if you can, is to make a head start on some readings that you are required to have done for the first week – this makes sure that if your mental health takes a bit of a dip, you can at least say to yourself that you have taken some of the load off to cope.

2. Don’t be afraid to seek help and accept what can be provided – it does not make

you ‘weak’, ‘different’, ‘special’ or ‘more/less disadvantaged’

There is seriously so much support that schools and tertiary institutions can provide to aid their students. Advocacy services, health centres, counselling, disability support, welfare support, recreation centres, clubs/groups/organisations – the list goes on! Remember – seeking extra help and support to aid you in your educational ventures does not make you weak, different, special, or any less/better aided than others; it means that you are able to access and utilise the extra support you need in order for you to reach the potential you are capable of doing. The disability resource service at the University I attend has been an absolute life-saver for me – without their services and support they provide I would have either dropped out of my degree entirely, and/or my mental health would be poorly and even more unstable.

3. Know your limits

It is okay to say ‘no’ to any events or opportunities that arise throughout your study. Getting through your studies alone is a massive feat in itself – adding on extra stressful commitments could be the thing that tips you over the edge. Most importantly; do not compare yourself to anyone else – others around you will have different levels of mental health, and consequentially may be in a different mental place where they are able to take on such commitments. In saying this – I am in no way saying that you should never take on extra, but simple be sure to factor in your mental health and wellness when you decide what to do.

4. Make your health a priority

This one is simple, albeit hard – what is a degree, or an education, without your health? The saying is true – you need to help yourself before you help others.

5. Establish a routine which remains as constant as possible

If possible, endeavour to get a relatively consistent pattern of daily life as possible. You may want to set some alarms to make sure you wake up at a certain time each day, prepare your following days food the night before to prevent running out of time (hello leftovers!!), and/or allocate some time for an exercise class or relaxing walk. Doing such things, which may seem small in words, can have such a positive impact on dealing with any obsessive thoughts, heightened anxiety, or any other issues you may have (especially around control).

6. Make time for your friends, family, hobbies, and most importantly – yourself

Leave some time for a coffee or a walk with your friends or classmates. Make an appearance at that family occasion you have coming up – or even just ensure that you have dinner with your family each night. Allot some time for some TV, gaming, exercise, any hobbies that you know gives you a wee bit of a boost in your day – no matter how small it can be – the simple task of showering/bathing while jamming to some decent can be just what you need!

7. Don’t sacrifice your sleep!

Sleep has such a massive, and often underestimated, impact on your health – both physically and mentally. If you find yourself awake at midnight, let alone in the early hours of the next day, still cramming for that test or doing that reading for the following day – STOP. You will be in no state capable enough of producing the work you know you are able to achieve when you are properly rested. Remind yourself of steps 1, 3, & 4 above – you need to look after yourself, and remember that there is always tomorrow and another time to finish off what you were doing.

8. Learn that school is not the be all and end all

Have you ever heard of any adult human being going on about the number of Excellence credits they achieved at high school, or the grade they got on that essay for that paper they did that one semester? HELL NO! Why? Because it does not define you! What seems huge and massive at the time really does not mean that much in the long term. If you finish school with Excellence or Achieved endorsements – you should be damn proud. If you get that degree through full-time, part-time, in several stints of study – you made it and that is what counts. Remember the importance of enjoying life and making the most of it. There is only one time you are the age you are – don’t spend it worrying or ruminating over times in which you have no control over, or excessively fretting about assignments, grades, or study.

So, there you have it team! I hope that there is at least one of my tips that you can apply to your life. If you are not studying, and are working or making recovery your priority – you apply these tips in just the same manner. I don’t suggest completely overhauling your current routine as this can often lead to such changes not lasting in the long run. I’d rather you take on one tip at each time, and only tackle the next one until you are in a position where it can be most effective in making changes in your life.

Until next time!

Your friend,

Rawing Meg

xx