The Not Happy Thread

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by Cogito, Nov 20, 2010.

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  1. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    Taking what you've said across three threads as a whole working yourself into the ground isn't healthy .. the more you don't sleep and stay up all night fretting about coursework and don't eat properly and so forth the harder it gets to do anything decent, so your work suffers and you fret more, get less sleep etc etc... that vicious circle is no good for anyone.

    I don't know if you've come across the 'good study guide' but it really helped me with this shit when I was where you are (about 25 years ago)
    to precis next time you get an assignment:

    on your first work session write a plan for the assignment - nothing else, just a plan.
    Then based on that plan do the research you need to do
    Then write the first 500 words (don't worry about them being great just get them down)
    Then the second (ditto)
    Then the third (ditto)
    Then the fourth (ditto)
    Then polish it (one session)
    Then submit it and forget about it

    Rinse and repeat for other assignments

    Even if its not perfect you'll get a sight better grades for a 2k word assignment submitted.

    The other thing is that adapting to student life isn't easy, especially if you came from a highly structured school environment. Universities know that, so talk to them, talk to your lecturers, talk to whatever guidance service they have, likewise for the student union.

    Lastly no one will die if you have to repeat a year - I had to redo 4 out of 6 modules on my first year, and partied my way to a 2:2 in years 2 and 3, it never did me any lasting harm
     
  2. XRD_author

    XRD_author Banned

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    Sometimes you need a decade of hindsight to tell a blessing from a curse.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
  3. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    You're right. You will feel worse at night. Not sleeping makes it worse too.

    You're better off getting a good night's sleep than working on your assignment when you're tired. A genius (yes, a real one), who also happened to be my best friend, tried to do what you're doing during our honours year dissertation and lost 20% of his grade because he wasn't actually writing English, or any other discernible earthly language, at the end of it. You're better off sleeping and tackling it when you're fresh. Fortunately, he could afford to lose that 20% because he was already a first class student, but he would have been better off handing in an incomplete dissertation than what he actually handed in.

    Also remember that done is better than perfect. You need to meet that deadline, even if you end up using bullet points. 80% of the marks are made in the first 20% of the time you spend on an answer. Remember that. Sketch out an answer and fill it in from there if you have time. If not then hand in the sketch. Provided you've covered off most of the required material, even in bullet point form, you'll likely pass.

    The corollary is if you spend all of your time making 20% of your assignment look perfect, then you're almost certainly going to fail. I see you've got "I'm a procrastinator" in your signoff. Did you know that perfectionists are some of the worst procrastinators? I'm the king of procrastinators and I've had to be very strict with myself over the years to just get it done and worry about fixing the quality after the first draft is actually down and locked in. You might need to do the same thing to get through the work.

    Remember too that you've won a competition on this forum and have the badge to prove it. You did this despite stiff competition, so we know you've got what it takes and you're definitely worth it!
     
  4. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

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    How many people you cooking for? 500?
     
  5. Shenanigator

    Shenanigator Has the Vocabulary of a Well-Educated Sailor. Contributor

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    Glad to hear it, E.M.! :friend:Please take good care of yourself.

    What he said.

    And him.

    Not eating and not drinking enough water makes it worse as well. Mine is so much worse when I don't eat or when I haven't had enough water...For me, it's far worse than lack of sleep, even. Healthy brain function requires oxygen and food, especially protein, and low blood sugar (from not eating) affects mood.

    For anyone who hasn't seen this self-care acronym...

    Stop and take care of yourself before you H.A.L.T..

    Don't let yourself get too

    Hungry
    Angry
    Lonely
    Tired
     
  6. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    Also, physical activity and sunshine. Something I started doing way too late in my time at Uni was to get outside and go for a run every morning before class. The increased blood flow and endorphins actually helped my retention, upped with my mood, and helped with the back pain I used to get from spending too much time in lousy chairs either in class or writing papers.
     
  7. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    The captain has told my aunt to return her seatback and tray table to their upright and locked position.
     
  8. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    A little bit more context may be in order here, @Iain Aschendale .
     
  9. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    That's the announcement they give on the plane prior to arriving at your final destination.
     
  10. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    Resident curmudgeon indeed. I thought that was my role, but you sir have far surpassed me.
     
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  11. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    Hmm, I'm worried I may have unintentionally given offense, so let me clarify.

    My aunt has been moved to hospice and will be dead in a few days.
     
  12. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    I'm sorry to hear that. Losing people is never easy. I'm sorry.
     
  13. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    I am sorry to hear that. :(
    :friend:
     
  14. Night Herald

    Night Herald The Fool Contributor

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    Real sorry to hear that, Iain. My condolences.
     
  15. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    No offence taken. That idiom obviously isn't one I'm familiar with. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I hope she passes painlessly.
     
  16. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    I like to speak obliquely, and thank you, it's all we can hope for now.
     
  17. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    Well, she went peacefully.
     
  18. EstherMayRose

    EstherMayRose Gay Souffle Contributor

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    I'm so sorry, Iain. I hope she at least had a good life, and is enjoying whatever's on the other side.
     
  19. flawed personality

    flawed personality Contributor Contributor

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    My sympathies.
     
  20. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    Sorry to hear that she passed but, as you say, at least she went peacefully.
     
  21. T_L_K

    T_L_K Senior Member

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    I've just had one of the worst weeks in my adult life. I literally woke up from sorrow over an hour ago, and it's sorrow that's keeping me from going back to sleep. I mean there has to be a way for me to express who I am so I can at least be left alone. I want to be known (not as in famous, as in found) so you'll actually know me a little when you believe you know me a little. I don't get to reach that place with most people because too many things are in the way. Too many peculiarities of mine are in the way. It wouldn't really be an issue if I didn't have to be around so many people, because I don't really think I need so many people at all. But I need to work, so the many people are going to be there. I don't give a f*ck until I really do. Right now I really do. I can't be strong all the time. I hate being taken for exactly what I'm not. I wish someone could tell them. I'm everything you believe I'm not; you're troubling me for nothing. I can't stand the feeling.
     
  22. Reece

    Reece Senior Member

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    <8

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Giant Teddy.jpg
     
  24. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    [​IMG]
     
  25. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    :supergrin:
    8thLegionStoryTime.jpg
     
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