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rebbieh
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28 May 2013, 6:50 am

This first part is a little bit difficult to explain since the school system here in Sweden is probably a bit different than in the US/UK/wherever. I started university in August last year and I've been taking a few different courses (physics, chemistry and biology) which are part of some sort of pre-degree-thing (so pretty much courses I study before starting to study for my bachelor's degree). It's a bit difficult to explain. Anyway, it's been a tough year due to a lot of stuff going on but I've been doing a lot better with my studies this semester (since I got some support at uni etc). I had my last exam yesterday and I think I passed it (which would be incredible since physics is something I find interesting but really hard). That means this academic year is over and that really scares me.

It took me a very long time to get used to starting university and studying and it took me a long time to get used to the new people, the new city, the new buildings etc. Now, when I finally feel like I've started to get used to it and when I finally feel like I've been able to socialise a little bit with some of my classmates, it's over and I have to start anew in August. Then I have to start my actual degree, I have to meet new people, I have to get used to a new huge building and all of that. I won't even get to "keep" the woman who's been in charge of my support anymore (I'll get someone else). It really scares me. Changes scare me and this is not a small change. It's actually quite massive and I'm not dealing with it too well because I don't know how to. I've tried to explain this to some people but they don't get it and instead they think it's a bit weird I'm so inflexible.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice?

EDIT: I'm not sure this is the right place to post this. I sort of feel stupid for posting here nowadays since I still haven't been assessed (I think my assessment will take place in November) and I don't want to seem like a liar or something. Anyway, I hope this is ok.



The_Walrus
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28 May 2013, 7:29 am

It's incredibly stressful, yes.

I find I get very distressed for about a month, but then adjust and continue as before. Get through the first month of so and hopefully you'll be fine.



franknfurter
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28 May 2013, 8:18 am

yeah im going to be in a similar situation, i start universtiy in september and i am finding the prospect very stressful, i feel stupid posting here sometimes as well because i have not been assessed either.

i dont think there is really much that can be done in terms of making the change easier to deal with, what im doing is going to visit the university and town before i go to observe where i will be staying, also my one life line is that my friend is also going to the same university and we have applied to be roomates, that will really help me because its one thing im used too amongst all the new things.

remember that everyone finds that kind of change scary, no one is going to go into that kind of thing not stressful. its just something that you have to go through in life, and since you have already had to get used to new things already you know that you can do it which should be a comfort. :)



The_Hemulen
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28 May 2013, 9:14 am

I will be dealing with something similar in October. Still at the same university but new building and office, new colleagues, new accommodation, new support workers... :? The only vaguely helpful advice I have is to remind yourself that you will feel better about it eventually, once it's the new familiar. I know I'm going to hate every minute of the end of this year, but if I can just get through it, I think I will get to like it.



zer0netgain
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28 May 2013, 10:36 am

I'm a bit backwards. I get stressed about going someplace new, but once I commit to doing it, it's not that bad except for the work of doing the move and settling in.



lelia
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28 May 2013, 11:11 am

One change at a time. You are piling up too many changes to think about. You will paralyze yourself if you think too far ahead.



rebbieh
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28 May 2013, 1:03 pm

lelia wrote:
One change at a time. You are piling up too many changes to think about. You will paralyze yourself if you think too far ahead.


But they're all happening at the same time so I don't see how I can separate them?



lelia
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28 May 2013, 1:20 pm

Okay. What are you going to do today?



rebbieh
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28 May 2013, 1:46 pm

lelia wrote:
Okay. What are you going to do today?


Well, this day is almost over (it's 8:45pm here now) so I won't be doing much more today. Tomorrow I'm seeing my therapist and then I'll be doing my last presentation for the year (in physics). Then I'll meet up with a few classmates. They're going to study so I'm going to read a little bit, say goodbye to them and leave. Then I have to pack my bags because I'm flying home to my parents on Thursday morning. I'll stay there for a week. Then I'll come back here for a summer course (scares me) and then I'm starting my degree in August.



lelia
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28 May 2013, 2:43 pm

Don't forget your toothbrush.



DVCal
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28 May 2013, 8:03 pm

Get over it and move on. Very simple.



lelia
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30 May 2013, 7:23 pm

What are you going to do today?



keerawa
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30 May 2013, 8:48 pm

That is a really big change, and change is hard.

One thing that has helped me, in similar situations, is to move into the space and get to know it before all the other people arrive. I also like to get my schedule as soon as possible, ,so I know where I will go first in the morning, find a good place to sit so the light won't bother me, where I can step outside for a break if I need it, where the bathrooms are, where I will eat lunch, etc. I walk through it all, step by step. Then I feel much more comfortable.