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The New Social Worker is the quarterly magazine for social work students and recent graduates, focusing on social work careers for those new to the profession. This blog is a companion to the free online magazine at http://www.socialworker.com.

Monday, September 28, 2009

I said: "Doctor: Is there something I can take?"

I WENT TO THE DOCTOR this morning partly because I was having some flu-like symptoms, and partly because of my anxiety. The good news comes on both fronts: no viral infections are present, and she gave me some really good advice regarding my anxiety. My doc said that when she was in med school she struggled with the same types of stuff I am experiencing now.

She supported my decision to study away from my home. She shared her experiences of finding private little spots among the stacks in her university's library. She said that it's normal to not want to study or do homework and our mind will tell us we need to do almost anything to prevent us from studying.

She also suggested that I create deadlines and schedules for myself. She said my brain wants that, especially since I worked in the publishing world for more than a decade (I noticed my brain was in resistance mode while she was talking, however).

So I came home and I got out the egg-timer. I've set it for an hour. I will allow myself an hour of computer time, including writing my blog, and then I will re-set it and clean the house for one hour. At 5 p.m., I am going for a one-hour walk with a friend. I will come home, have dinner with my husband, and then hit the books or go to a meeting (12-step) for an hour. I must relax from 9-10 p.m. and get in the bed by 10 p.m.

I feel better already!

~Ms. T. J.

3 comments:

  1. Great Advice! Isn't it amazing that when we have a paper or studying to do, all of a sudden we have an urge to clean the oven, the toilet, or some other household job we normally find distasteful?I like the idea of the timer to break up your tasks. Don't worry, you'll get through.    

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  2. BSW Social Work StudentSeptember 29, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    I enjoy reading your daily blogs. I found it while doing a search for something with my one of my research papers. Anyways...I can relate to finding time to sit and study and or work on homework. My mom who fully believes in FlyLady.com taught me that I can do anything for 15 minutes. So by using the timer method of placing it on how long you need, you are able to accomplish the things that you need.

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  3. Dear Guest and BSW SW Student-
    Your comments mean a lot.
    Thanks!
    ~Ms. T. J.

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