Part 2: Finding connection through common humanity Common humanity vs. isolation Part 1 of this blog series explored the importance of being kind to yourself, Part 2 focuses on something equally powerful: remembering that you’re not alone in your struggles. According to Kristin Neff (2022), this is the second core component of self-compassion: common humanity. …
Have you ever wondered why some students seem to be able to learn more effectively than others? Even if you put in a lot of effort, you may still find yourself struggling to keep up with your studies. One reason for this may be that you are not using your metacognitive skills effectively. What is …
Part 1: Being kind to yourself in a new environment Self-kindness vs. Self-judgment Want to skip straight to the strategies? Click here Adjusting to life abroad Let’s start with the obvious: deciding to study in another country is a huge step. You’re not just taking on academic challenges, you’re navigating a new culture, …
Think back to the last academic paper you read. Maybe it was for a coursework assignment or maybe just for fun. Which sections did you find easiest and most enjoyable to read? Which did you find most challenging? If you’re like many students (and academics!), the Method section was the most difficult to read (Hubbard …
I was sitting at a café, and I noticed a group of students studying together over hot drinks and snacks. They looked focused, yet relaxed, with occasional laughs, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. It instantly took me back to my university days. I remembered those precious moments during exam season: the stress, yes, …
Want to go straight to the techniques? Click here for ‘brain dump’, the ‘timetable’, ‘pomodoro technique’, ‘rubber duck’, ‘traffic light system’ Deal with the stress: The whole premise of this post is to provide support and (actionable) guidance on dealing with periods of acute stress, this could be during exam season, when there are a …
When transitioning into Higher Education, most students struggle with referencing. So here is my guide to referencing. The Reason for the (Referencing) Pain When writing any kind of academic work, whether for an assignment or publication, it is important to acknowledge all sources and ideas that have been presented by others. This ensures you are …
In 2015, I entered University believing the next 3 years of my undergraduate degree would be spent only studying and getting a degree. As the first person to go to university in my family, I did not realise how many opportunities I could take advantage of during this time that could both help my career …
Neuroscience is undoubtedly one of the most challenging topics for psychology students. One of the reasons is that it includes concepts derived from various disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Furthermore, the brain is the most complex and sophisticated organ in our body as it does not only keep us alive, but it …
Cannabis (marijuana) is the most commonly used addictive substance after alcohol and tobacco, in particular among youths. Many countries have already decriminalized its medical and recreational use in recent years. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard statements like “If it’s legal, it is okay to use” and “If it’s medicine, …