Getting the right balance

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

your emotional self
your intellectual self
your intrinsic self
your physical self
your psychological self
your social self
your vocational self

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.

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 United Cantonese Society, Islamic Society of Deakin University, Malaysian Student Society, Muslim Cultural Group, Overseas Christian Club, Students For Christ, 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:

eat healthily when on Campus
have a health checkup
walk around the bush and gardens on campus between classes
exercise three times a week no matter where you are
join the Gym on campus
know what there is to eat
join a DUSA Club
play sport for Deakin
have some healthy and quick recipes (external link)

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
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

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:

get down to the Health and Recreation facilities
join the Distance Education Coffee Club
join in the DUSA Activities
join a DUSA Club
play sport for DUSA
hang out at the Bunker/cafes
attend DUSA run events
attend DUSA and Faculty orientations sessions

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

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 tolerante administrative frustrations
you tolerate some anxiety during exams

Things to help yourself at Deakin:

find out what you need to know - your First Year at Deakin.
participate in the Off Campus Orientation
if you are unsure what to do, talk to a Counsellor
attend Academic Skills Workshops
know where The Guide is, and how to use it (authentication required)

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:

talk to a Chaplain
talk to a Personal Counsellor
read some philosophy from the library

Tips for your study:

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