Preparation, Procrastination and Balance

We are nearing the end of week 12 and with assessments and exams coming up, mySupport has put together a few tips to help you with preparation, procrastination, and balance!

PREPARATION

We know that preparation reduces stress, so be strategic and set yourself a few priorities for exam revision and assessment completion:

• Find out about your exam
• When is it?
• How much is it worth?
• How is it formatted (multiple choice, essays, short question and answer)?
• Write up a study revision timetable for the next four weeks (see attached template). Start by adding in any upcoming exams and assessments, and follow by adding in any work, revision lectures, and any other important dates. From this you should be able to better allocate study time to any upcoming work.
• Create a to-do list of all upcoming tasks you need to do before your exams. This may include writing up master summaries of content, sitting practice tests, going over difficult content, or even attending PASS.

DEALING WITH PROCRASTINATION

For some reason, many time sensitive tasks seem to come out of nowhere as exam revision is commencing! The house desperately needs a spring clean, Facebook has many photos and articles you have never seen before, and those odd jobs that you have put off for 13 weeks are suddenly at the top of your priorities! Procrastinating can take up valuable study and preparation time. If you become distracted whilst studying, you might like to try the following:

• Arrange to work alongside another student who works well
• Take short, regular breaks
• Set a specific time for study and see what you can get done
• Use your ‘to do’ list – ticking off those little tasks can keep you motivated to continue with the bigger tasks
• Set a specific amount of time for study and see what you can get done. 

Check out the Counselling service’s tip sheet on procrastination for more information.

BALANCE

Maintaining balance can be difficult during as the stress and workload increase. It is worthwhile trying to keep healthy, positive and supported during this time:

-          Eat healthy foods (why not try out a few brain foods)
-          Drink plenty of water
-          Make sure you are getting enough sleep
-          Keep up your regular exercise

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Managing Stress

We understand how busy it can be at the end of your semester / trimester of study; between assessments, revision and weekly work, there are many things that can make studying seem challenging. As such, we would like to talk to you about stress and provide you with a few tips to avoid and overcome stress leading into the busy end of semester one and trimester two. 

Firstly, what is Stress?

Stress is the body's way of dealing with pressure. Most people will feel stressed from time to time, and stress can be both good and bad;  Often mild stress will be a healthy coping reaction allowing us to manage challenging times. However, too much stress can affect our mental health, our physical health and impact on our ability to deal with a demanding situation. 

Recognising Stress

Recognising the signs of stress is important. These can include:
-          Lack of motivation
-          Feeling overwhelmed
-          Not coping with workload
-          Sleeping problems
-          Increased eating and drinking
-          Moodiness and other erratic emotions

Managing Stress - mySupport

Here are ten mySupport tips for managing stress:
1)     Exercise and keep active
2)     Eat a healthy well balanced diet
3)     Talk to someone you trust 
4)     Find time to do activities you enjoy
5)     Think positive thoughts
6)     Take charge of things you can control 
7)     Keep in touch with your friends and family 
8)     Be kind to yourself
9)     Focus on one thing at a time 
10)  Take up support from UoN

Managing Stress - Additional Resources

• Staying Well - Beyond Blue 
• Why not check out the Mental Health Association top ten tips to stress less. 
• For further information on overcoming stress, check out the Lifeline Tool kit on stress.
• The desk aims to provide Australian tertiary students with information and skills to help them be relaxed, energised, and connected during their time at uni.  

The Counselling Service

The Counselling Service have many additional resources to help you cope with the demands of study:

• Appointments are available for individual and group counselling. Individual counselling is available on appointment basis, with some evening appointments available.
• In addition to booked appointments, the Callaghan service offers a Walk in Clinic at 2 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. These appointments cannot be pre-booked and spaces are limited so we advise students to arrive at least 15 minutes before the clinic opens. 
• Listen to their mindful meditation podcasts online. 
• Check out the Counselling service advice sheet on stress and relaxation, or view their other tip sheets.
• The counselling service offers additional useful links on stress. 

Contact: 

Callaghan    4921 5801
Ourimbah -   4348 4060
Port Macquarie 6581 6200
Email counselling@newcastle.edu.au.

Kind Regards, 

mySupport Staff

For more information on this program please visit:
http://www.mysupport.newcastle.edu.au/