Hey Melbourne Uni, I’m filing for divorce. In fact – I don’t think we can even be friends at the moment!
It’s the week 8 curse. It’s definitely that time of semester where stress and anxiety levels skyrocket.
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of work that we have to do. From day 1 of second year, I felt like I’ve missed something. Lecturers blabble on about concepts that we should have ‘apparently’ covered either in high school or in first year. Such things that I have ZERO recollection of ever learning.
The motivation to attend class is disappearing. As much as I prefer to attend lectures, I’ve been leaving my lectures feeling even more confused and helpless, and just plain miserable.
I wished I had more time to soak in the information and enjoy what I’m learning. I can barely keep up with the workload and on top of that, assignments deadlines are adding to the stress.
Uni is slowly shattering the remnants of self confidence in my abilities and in myself generally. Maybe it’s the case of the big fish in a little pond (high school), transitioning into a little fish in a very, very big pond (uni).
Why can’t I be one of those people who are naturally talented, getting great marks without lifting a finger. Maybe I’m overworking myself…
It’s been a challenge trying to balance everything lately. I think I’ve been a bit over-ambitious and tackled on too many things. I just want to sleep…
I’m getting pretty frustrated with the academic side of things. The lack of clear instruction, communication, organisation and support from lecturers is slowly driving me insane. It’s the little things like putting lecture slides on the LMS, providing clear instructions about assignments, responding to emails…
I completely understand why so many students drop out of uni.
Maybe I’m not cut out for uni. Am I in the right degree? How can I call myself a science student when I don’t do chemistry, physics, maths…I’m practically an arts student in disguise. I should just change degrees…
All I know is, I am in desperate need of a break and a glass of red.
So what am I going to do about this?
Where to start?
1. Reducing study load next semester
I’ll have to chat to my advisor and investigate my options. I’ve heard that I can drop down to 3 subjects instead of 4, and do intensives over my breaks to make it up. This will at least give me more time to study and enjoy it.
2. More exercise!
I’ve been so busy to the point where I haven’t been getting some exercise. Time to get more happy hormones pumping into my system.
3. Cut down on the caffeine intake.
My caffeine intake is probably not good for my health at the moment. Might be time to start cutting down on the coffee.
4. Go to bed earlier
I’m simply exhausted because I’ve been staying up later to get more work done. And I think I’m over-doing it. Time to get more sleep!
5. Form study groups!
Time to find a group of people to study with. Learning on my own is isolating and lonely.
If there’s anyone out there suffering from the week 8 curse, don’t forget that Counselling and Psychological Services is available to help if you need to speak to someone.
Things will get better! I am sure of it. Uni can’t be all fun and games…
Stay strong!
Daph
Unimelb Adventures 
^ that right there pretty much is how I’m feeling. Hope things get better for you soon (:
Thanks Ivy! And likewise to you too!
p.s. You have a new follower now! :D
Hey Daph, this is a common problem for really competent, clever, hard working students. The problem is often that you are working too hard (yes! it’s a massive issue!) and there are some really easy ‘working smarter’ techniques that not only take the stress off, but help you get better grades. Let’s go for coffee and I’ll pitch a post for you!
Working too hard? Or hardly working? haha
Yes, coffee sounds fantastic! What’s your email address so we can organise something? Or, my email is dhng@student.unimelb.edu.au!
Thanks for your comment :)
Haha, there are so many people in this situation, myself included. Makes me feel a bit better :D
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear a glass of wine calling my name :)
haha! It’s always comforting to know that we’re not alone.
WINE FOR ALL!
You’re pretty normal, y’know that? :p
When you’ve been at Uni long enough, you’ll recognise that it’s always around this time of the semester (i.e. ~8th week) that things get stupidly stressful to the point where we all start contemplating thoughts like these.
Keep your head up! Persistence is the key :)
Normal I am! :D
Thanks for your words of wisdom mattras! Really appreciate it
Sometimes you just have to take a day break and don’t stress too much about it :) take a night off, watch some tv and enjoy your day. I do that sometimes :)
You are 100% correct! :)
I definitely recommend dropping your course load over the regular semester and picking up extra subjects during summer/winter. I’m only doing 3 subjects at the moment, since I did Flora of Victoria (second year botany) in February. It was only two weeks at uni, plus a week for a mock ‘swotvac’ before an exam, and an assignment due after the first week of semester one. I don’t even like botany that much, but the reduced course load definitely makes it worth it. I got a great score out of it, too :)