Hi so recently I took a break because my anxiety and depression had a spike?!? I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve made a post about it to show why exactly I had to take some time away. Anyway I thought I’d give a few ideas and tips for studying when you have a mental illness. A lot of them can be used by anyone but are very important
Take regular study breaks rather than do it all in one go. I tend to only be able to focus on tasks for a certain amount of time before I have to change so it’s good to do 20 mins then change the task
Look at maslows heirarchy of needs
You need to fulfill the bottom four before you can even begin to study. I think this is helpful for people with mental illness because often it’s easy to forgot and disregard these needs so it gives us a chance to focus not them.
Talk to your school and teachers. My teachers would be fine if I had to leave their class due to anxiety so they let. E go if I need to. My teachers tend to also ask me how I’m doing very often which is small but to me is important. It can also help with elongating due dates.
Do more on good days and less on the bad ones. I’m more motivated and energised on good days as is everyone else so I can do extra work whilst on bad days you may do less or none at all. Utilise the good days so you don’t feel so bad for not doing much on bad days.
Celebrate the little things. Read for 5 mins? Celebrate! Study for 10? Celebrate! Actually get up and do something on a bad day? Celebrate! Encourage yourself with rewards or even just a pat on the back.
Minset. I’ve said this so many times but just tell yourself you can. Saying it may even teach you to believe it because saying you can may make you even slightly better.
Sleep well. Referring back to the heirarchy but it makes a difference.
Take time for yourself. Don’t continuously study cause it’ll just make you feel a lot worse. Sometimes you might have to force yourself to read over stuff but only in extreme circumstances and never to the point where you feel a lot worse.
Understand it’s ok to feel this way. I often feel terrible and can’t do anything but I understand that it’s not my fault and if I try then I can get better. You’re amazing and you can do it.
Anyway I’m hoping these make sense ahah I’m not sure if they do or not but wanted to share some key tips that I’ve been thinking about recently. I’ve had to take the week to just think some stuff through and haven’t been able to do everything as well as I’d hope but it’s important. To all my followers or people reading this who are struggling just know I’m proud of you!
