Ima wa, Atashi wa Futatabi Daigakuseidesu

Semuaaaaaa

I am back as a student now!

Alhamdulillah, I was accepted as a student in Master of Clinical Psychology for the batch 2020/2022 <3

Life as a Masters student?

I wouldn't say there is an absolute difference than when I was a undergrad. Yes, the workload may increased a tiny bit, probably the stress too, and of course the practicality of the assignments too, but it is not something out of expectation or like a sudden gap of knowledge in between.

I do need to thank my lecturers (some) back in undergrad for the basic knowledge and my interning colleague and the experience there for providing me sufficient information to start my post-graduate studies.

Had lots of upside downs during both experiences, but they have indeed been beneficial so far. Not to say that I don't struggle at all now, that would be a huge life.

My 'symptoms' reemerged last semester too (I'm in the second semester now semua). Middle towards the end, I had lots and lots of self-esteem issue and questioning myself now and then. I still do.

So here are some celebratory preaching untuk semua whether you are like me or not, you may end up living or working with someone like me. So it is an advantage to know how we (theoretically) works better~

1. Being nervous is totally fine

    I found myself fidgeting and avoiding eye contact a lot especially during the first few classes. Mind you, I am studying online due to the Covid-19 pandemic that hits Malaysia quite badly (the waves are worse that the initial hit). So even I find it strange for me to be so nervous when I'm basically talking to a gadget, a non-emotional camera. But again it is fine.

    Hey now. Don't go mistaking 'fine' with 'it's okay to happen' or 'it is not disadvantageous'. Because it is disadvantageous. I ended up cutting my explanation short, or missing out the non-verbal responses my classmates are giving and I might stutter. Fine here means that if it happen, it is not something that will end you.

    Take a breather. Every time it is happening, try to take note on the event. What is it that triggers you, which part scares you more, are there evidence supporting your feelings or are they all in your head? This is absolutely SCARY observation to be done. At least for me it is. I don't like knowing that something is wrong with me. But I need it. Because I want to change.

    Hey now the second time. It is scary, and it is not easy. So don't expect to change immediately. Just because you know what triggers you doesn't make you change. But what it does give is the opportunity to change. If you want to :)

2. Due Due Due Due Due Due Due Due Due

    Being a student equates multiple due dates from multiple classes. Don't kid me, it's nothing new. So why do we still struggle with it?

    Sooooo many reasons why. Lack of motivation, lack of discipline, pure laziness, overloaded emotion, packed schedule, you name it, and it will be a reason.  Can we deal with it?

    Yes sir yes. Before that though, like the previous tippy tips, you need to know thou self first. Is having a proper plan important to you? Is the final goal the most important to you? Is a balanced life important to you? Is anxiety a motivator or a destruct-or? Be kind and observe yourself. All those modo-modo study methods won't work if it is not what you believe in nor what you deem important.

     Remember though, that you are currently a student, voluntary or not, you do have deadlines. As much as the preaching of whats important to you yada yada, be aware of the time spent. Be aware does not equate to ruminating about it! Just a direct noting down of how much time you have left and work with that.

 

3. Pause

    Say utilizing your time to the max is the most important thing to you. So you wake up in the morning, had your breakfast (or not) and went straight to grinding your brain for revisions, assignments, mock tests, extra knowledge and what not. Cool cool, that is totally fine.

     Just don't abandon your other life goals. You are a human before you are a student. Grinding hard might be your number 1 of importance, but what about number 2, 3, 4, 5 ? 

    So pause your number 1. Take a breather. Try out number 5, 6, 7, 8. Who knows if it actually brings some inspiration to you of just as a break from straining your life and probably burning out in the near future.

Wokeysss, I have typed too much. I'm not a talker alright. You want me? Pay me once I'm called a psychologist then hahahahahahaha.

Anyways, enjoy your day or night, happy Ramadhan to those practicing, stay insightful and matta ne~