Academic Advocacy is a professional service of QUT Guild committed to supporting and representing the interests and needs of students in academic matters, navigating university policies and advocating for better quality of education. This year the Advocacy Team are collaborating with Glass on a Kindness Campaign to promote the values of empathy, compassion, and kindness among members of the community. The campaign will consist of a series of articles that will encourage people to engage in acts of kindness towards each other and themselves. Supporting you with kindness and guiding you with knowledge.
This article was written by Advocate, Amy Collins.
All university students are too familiar with the ongoing stressors that come with studying. As we often see in Advocacy, the overwhelming pressures of juggling multiple assessment items and your personal responsibilities can quickly become too much to handle. Allowing yourself the time to re-set and refocus is a great way to manage stress as we get closer to the end of the semester. So, how can I re-set and refocus?
Reach Out for Support
It is important to check in with yourself and reach out to the support systems available to you. Reaching out for support can often be a challenge, but even booking an appointment to discuss your concerns is a positive step in the right direction. Often students leave their Academic Advocacy appointment with newfound knowledge and tools that better equips them to handle the challenges of studying such as; information on how to apply for special consideration, AEP info, or our Withdrawal Without Penalty Checklist.
Free support available to QUT students includes Academic Advocacy provided by the QUT Student Guild, along with QUT’s services that include welfare support, disability support, and counselling.
Set New Goals
While all students have the long-term goal of studying, what are some short-term goals you can set to help guide and motivate you? Everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to think of some goals that are personal to you and will ultimately help you achieve your long-term goal of graduating. An example could be attending all your tutorials, allocating a set number of hours to study each week, or scheduling a social activity with friends to help you wind down and relax.
Reflect on Achievements
Finally, the most crucial part of re-setting and refocusing is reflecting on everything you have achieved so far. It can help to make a list of the things you have achieved – both big and small! Don’t forget that your continued commitment to your studies is a great achievement. So, as you continue your academic journey, know that by putting these ideas into action, you’re not merely surviving; you’re thriving, one step closer to your goals, one achievement at a time. Keep pushing forward, you’ve got this!
About the author, Amy Collins, Advocate at QUT Student Guild Advocacy:
I’m Amy Collins and I am a QUT Guild Academic Advocate who joined the team earlier this year after graduating from my Bachelor of Fine Art (Visual Art) at QUT in 2022. After experiencing the trials and tribulations of studying myself, I am passionate about providing a student-facing service that provides non-judgemental and trauma-informed support to students. I aim to kindly assist students through difficult times and help students achieve success in their studies.
