A man sitting at his computer, looking frustrated, with question marks around his head

Feeling overwhelmed? Dw, Nav has your back

Every university student can relate to feeling overwhelmed at some time during their studies. Whether it’s the end of semester rush, balancing life and uni responsibilities, or that one group project (we’ve all been there!). It’s important to know you’re never alone in dealing with these feelings. There are many helpful methods that can organise your time and headspace, as well as resources you can … Continue reading Feeling overwhelmed? Dw, Nav has your back

How to get help when you feel like you’re in too deep

It may be tempting to dismiss your hardship as another problem that isn’t important, but it’s vital that you speak up because people can only help you if they actually know what’s going on. Luckily, the University has a bunch of services targeted at helping you overcome your challenges and find success. Speak with a Program Advisor Program Advisors provide support and enrolment advice throughout … Continue reading How to get help when you feel like you’re in too deep

The magic of positive reinforcement: why you should reward yourself for studying

Exams and final assessments are looming, and every student feels a different way about the pointy end of the semester. Perhaps you’ve reached the point in your university career where you’re used to the exam butterflies, or maybe these are your first ever uni exams and you’re brimming with nerves at the thought. How does one deal with this kind of stress at exam and assessment time? Whether you have a study system in place, or you’re flying by the seat of your pants, there’s a neat little idea called positive motivation that can benefit you.

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Maintaining your balance in isolation

I’ve been feeling a bit off lately, and I think it’s because of the whole isolation thing. It’s like staying home all day and doing nothing is bringing me down. A quick survey reveals that a lot of my friends and fellow students feel the same way, that all of this downtime has lost its initial shine and what we’re left with now is an unsatisfying fug. And once you’re in a fug, well, it’s fug as far as the eye can see. It’s hard to understate the difficulty of getting yourself out of a fug like this, they can be comfortable in a way, and being surrounded by fug makes anti-fug efforts that much more difficult. So how do you restore your balance when you find yourself in one?  Continue reading “Maintaining your balance in isolation”

How to Balance Study with COVID-19 Anxiety

You wake up with a sore throat and assume the worst is coming. You check your inbox and see the bills you need to pay, even though you’ve lost your job. Maybe you’re not worried about yourself, but you are concerned for a family member.

Whatever the reason, there is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our mental wellbeing. When everything feels out of balance, it can feel impossible to keep up with something so ordinary as uni.

I Zoomed in for a cup of tea with University Counsellor, Dr Emma Kerr, to talk about the ways the pandemic is affecting students’ mental health. Emma also shared her top 3 tips on how to manage those feelings while soldiering on with uni.

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How to access essential uni and non-uni services: COVID-19

The past few weeks have been a tumultuous time for Australians, as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread around the globe, eventually being announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

University of Newcastle Students are now studying from home – some have lost work; others are balancing their course loads with caring for sick relatives or home-schooling children. It is important to note that amid all the chaos, support services are available.

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5 ways to adjust to studying at home

With the University transitioning most teaching activities to a virtual delivery, many of you will now find that you’ll be required to study remotely.

Adjusting to studying away from campus can be challenging in different ways for different students, so here are 5 tips to help you have a smooth transition from the classroom to the loungeroom/bedroom/living room.

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“I’m not ok”: What to do when a friend needs mental health support

Not long ago, I had a very close friend of mine experience a major loss. Given the circumstances, they seemed to be coping well. They were going to work, keeping up with their social and sporting commitments and had an extraordinarily well-rehearsed speech they would perform when asked how they were doing. A speech that was so reassuring, it managed to fool even me for months, and now I look back on it, probably over a year. Continue reading ““I’m not ok”: What to do when a friend needs mental health support”

Your guide to achieving success at university

You’ve made it. All the hard work has paid off and you’re finally a student at the University of Newcastle.

Congratulations!

It may seem like you’ve reached your end goal but this is just the beginning.

A plethora of exciting, rewarding and sometimes challenging experiences are coming your way. Best to be prepared.

Continue reading “Your guide to achieving success at university”

Left in the (last-minute) lurch: avoiding assignment procrastination

We’ve all been there. Every single one of us. Don’t lie. Across all degrees in all universities, in all fields and colleges, there is one thing that unites the common student: our bittersweet love of procrastination. It’s the cornerstone of the uni student stereotype – 10 pm, leaning forward on the couch, leftover Thai on the table and Netflix on the TV, rushing an assignment … Continue reading Left in the (last-minute) lurch: avoiding assignment procrastination

That time I went to counselling: Demystifing Adverse Circumstances

At the end of the second semester of my second year of uni, I was struggling. I had some fairly unpleasant family drama come up in the middle of the semester and, as a result, I was feeling isolated and unmotivated which seriously impacted my work. I had dropped out of one course, had barely managed a credit in two others and was dangerously close … Continue reading That time I went to counselling: Demystifing Adverse Circumstances

Navigating addiction: Alcohol

Let’s be honest, becoming a student and morphing into a steaming, booze monster is something of a stereotype. There’s not necessarily anything abnormal here, as The University’s Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions counsellor, Michelle Lampis explains, “Most people drink a little heavier when they’re younger and reduce their intake as they get older. However, some people don’t”. While this smashed student archetype has given us … Continue reading Navigating addiction: Alcohol