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Getting the right balance

These seven categories of self are one way of looking at your dimensions of wellbeing.

Your intellectual self

You are acquiring and retaining new knowledge. You study better because:

  • you're receptive to new ideas
  • you consider others' opinions
  • you openly debate ideas
  • you express your opinions
  • you try new things
  • you ask questions
  • you think critically
  • your opinions are well informed

Learn about your world at Deakin:

  • join a DUSA Club
  • read the DUSA newsletter
  • get involved in your faculty activities
  • read something new about other cultures, religion, etc.
  • participate in forums and attend lunchtime seminars
  • get involved in student issues

Tips for your study:

  • don't limit yourself to reading course material; read a novel, an autobiography, or other non-fiction work.
  • think about how you think. Consider what you learn from different perspectives.
  • how does what you learn tell you how to live in the world?
  • find something relevant in your study, don't just do it because you have to.

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Your emotional self

Aim for the deliberate and safe expression of your feelings. You will then study better because:

  • it stops the build up of stress and tension from study
  • study times are not distracted by feelings about other matters
  • you recover quicker from upsetting events
  • you get appropriate support from university staff
  • your feelings guide your actions to resolve difficulties

Ways to express your feelings at Deakin:

  • talk to a Personal Counsellor
  • talk to a Chaplain
  • talk to a friend who can listen
  • join a DUSA club that understands you such as: Christian Union, Deakin Indonesian, Islamic Society of Deakin University, Malaysia Society of Deakin, Multicultural Student Fellowship,  Australian Union of Jewish Students

Tips for your study:

  • express your feelings about your study to someone
  • celebrate success with the other students
  • introduce yourself to your lecturer/tutor during consulting hours - before something goes wrong
  • deal with your emotions to events as they happen - don't bottle them up
  • if you do not have family or friends close by, talk to a counsellor
  • when you know what you are feeling, act on this feeling, don't act it out

 

Your physical self

Being active, respecting your body, and eating and drinking healthily. You will then study better because:

  • it keeps your body, and particularly your brain, healthy
  • you can study for longer
  • you concentrate better
  • you remember better
  • you have fewer illnesses
  • you sleep better
  • you are less tired in class
  • you maintain a healthy weight
  • you can deal with greater levels of stress and tension

Things you can do at Deakin:

Tips for your study:

  • eat a small snack between classes and drink water regularly throughout the day
  • stretch every hour and walk for 30 minutes daily
  • get off the tram two stops before you need to and walk the rest of the way
  • park safely as far from the campus buildings as possible and walk to class
  • drink alcohol only occasionally and moderately
  • avoid illegal drug use
  • when studying, work for 60 minutes, then break for 15 minutes and get away from your desk and computer
  • make sure your workplace is comfortable, warm, and well ventilated
  • if you are feeling pain during or after study, find out why and do something about it

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Your social self

Enjoying time with your family, friends and colleagues. You study better because:

  • you learn from others
  • you have more support, both academic and personal
  • you don't feel isolated
  • you find out the tricks and traps of studying at university
  • you can offer your experience and advice to others
  • it makes studying alone for long periods of time more tolerable
  • it allows for a release of tension built up by studying

Ways of meeting people at Deakin:

Tips for your study:

  • go to class.
  • make an effort to get to class early to meet the other students.
  • discuss what you learn with other students
  • study with others on campus between classes
  • join at least one DUSA club or society
  • introduce yourself to one new person every week in every class for the first 4 weeks of each semester
  • stay in touch with old friends

 

Your vocational (occupational) self

Be enthusiastic about working in your chosen profession. You study better because:

  • you have a genuine interest in your course
  • you are committed to your course
  • you are prepared to work hard and seek extra experiences in the field
  • you actively make contacts with people in your profession
  • you think there is relevance in what is being taught
  • you respond to critical feedback positively
  • you bounce back quickly after disappointment.

Ways to get your career going at Deakin:

Tips for your study:

  • plan for graduation before it happens
  • make contacts within your chosen profession
  • visit the Careers website at least once a semester to see what is new
  • if you don't know what career you want, see a careers counsellor at Deakin
  • even if you don't know where you are going, you can choose a course so that you will enjoy the journey

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Your psychological self

Respond positively to life at university. You study better because:

  • you take responsibility for your learning and your results
  • you take the initiative in your learning
  • you understand what you need to do to get the results you want
  • you seek clarification and support as you need it
  • you tolerate administrative frustrations
  • you tolerate some anxiety during exams

Things to help yourself at Deakin:

Tips for your study:

  • be realistic about what you can achieve, in your circumstances
  • don't wait to be told. If you don't know, find out
  • get assistance as soon as possible if something goes wrong
  • have a life apart from your study that is enjoyable
  • consider feedback from academic staff thoughtfully

 

Your intrinsic (essential) self

This is your set of beliefs and ideas that provide understanding of ambivalent events that occur in your life, and in the world. You study better because:

  • these beliefs guide your actions, and reactions to events
  • you overcome disappointment more quickly
  • these beliefs motivate you to do daily study tasks during difficult times
  • you deal more effectively with unexpected events
  • it provides motivation to study even when you are uncertain

Activities at Deakin:

Tips for your study:

  • learn about yourself, not just what is taught
  • enjoy the steps of the journey as well as reaching your goal

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12th August 2011