Bring some self-kindness to your study

Part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: 15th to 21st May

Many students would benefit from a little more self-kindness and self-compassion. The ways in which you approach studying can add greatly to its inherent challenges and difficulties.

Select the headings below and consider which, if any, apply to you.

Pushing towards unreasonable goals, rather than being inspired by good, aspirational ones.

Assuming that all future success hinges on a particular degree or grades, instead of considering the many options that are available now or that can be created across a lifetime.

Limiting options by deciding something is 'not for you', 'boring', that you already know everything or that you can't learn in a particular group, rather than being open to possibilities and taking action to make things work.

Taking on too many things at once, making disappointment or failure more likely.

Being self-critical or blaming others when things don't go brilliantly, rather than focusing on the valuable lessons to take away from the experience.

3 strategies for building self-kindness

Don't focus on what you haven't achieved

Instead, bring your focus to what you are doing now, and to how skilfully you are approaching it.

Don't think in terms of 'right' and 'wrong' ways of studying

Consider whether your attitude and approach to studying is helping you to achieve what you wish for academically, without damaging your mental or physical health, relationships with others or your happiness.

Allow yourself to enjoy the experience

Be active in searching out the fun and interest in what you are studying.

Pause for thought

How does your approach to study add to pressures you are under?
How could you be kinder to yourself in the way you think about or approach study?
Do you ever drive yourself to achieve, to the extent that you lack compassion for what your mind or body really need? If so, how does that lack of self-kindness manifest itself?

Record your observations and reflect upon them. What do they tell you about yourself and your approach to study?