My first HSC total breakdown... eep. Help with appeal forms? (1 Viewer)

[Jesykka]

Last week I think I may have just had my first HSC breakdown... :O
I cried and cried all day every day amony other things while trying to get all my work done :s.

We have so much work! I don't understand how it's possible to do so much work and have the load never seem to decrease! I've been doing school work every spare minute, spending every lunch time in the library etc and I'm still falling behind :'(.

I didn't get my Society and Culture assessment in on time last week and I wanna try and appeal the zero mark awarding on the grounds that I had a sudden worsening of my depression, anxiety disorder and OCD among other things. The OCD has been especially giving me a hard time because it's slowing me down. I think all the stress is making these things worse and that they are actually worsening each other! . Eep.

I just don't really know how I'm suppose to fill out the appeal form. I feel uncomfortable admitting those things on paper to my teachers and I feel like they will see it as me just trying to get out of doing work . Although they have SEEN me working nonstop in the library every lunchtime etc. I'm not sure if I can get a drs certificate either because I'm not currently being treated for any of these conditions, not since early this year and that was by a specialist. I'm hoping though, that I can just get a certificate from a regular doctor that says I have been diagnosed with these conditions. Will this be sufficiant though??

I'm totally screwed huh? I just wanna give up and drop out .

Sorry to go on and on. I just needed to let it out and I really need advice on appealing!!

I really need sleep And at least part of my social life back!

 

[fly.away.fairy]

The thing is that it might be better to let your teacher now that your going through this. Theyve probably been teaching for a long timeand would have some idea how to help you. Otherwise just see a school counsellor or your specialist and say your having problems. Then leave it up to them to help you appeal the 0 mark...goodluck!

 

[Lani89]

I feel stressed out too. Last week my mum and my sister went to Qld so I had to get housework done on top of all my work. I have lots of commitments after school which I need to do in order to get into the course I want to do so I don't get to go out as I don't have any other time to do assignments.

 

[Sprinkles~]

Hey, no giving up and dropping out just yet *hugs*

I know it's not easy but it really is important that you let your teachers know that you're having these difficulties, simply because if they don't know you're having trouble they can't help you. You'd be suprised at just how supportive teachers can be .

Don't make the mistake of not applying for consideration because you're afraid they'll think you're just trying to get out of your work - they won't think that! I have health problems and it was a really bad habit of mine during year 12 and I ended up regretting it so many times. Basically it's not your fault and you have legitimate conditions that are affecting your work - you deserve consideration so you have the chance to get the best HSC you can. It's nothing to feel bad about.

Just go see your teacher or whoever it is that you get the special illness/misadventure forms from and then fill it out. You'll need to get documentation, anything from a GP or other medical professional saying that you have these conditions that have worsened recently will be more than enough.

It's also a good idea that you make your school aware of this and start collecting documentation because if it's something that will be affecting you long-term this year then you'd be eligable for the EAS (Educational Access Scheme). Plus they'll be a lot more understanding if you have any more problems with assessments during the year. Since you're not been treated right now maybe it could be something to talk to your doctor about? The stress of the HSC is definentely something that can make these things a lot worse.

Hang in there, and don't forget to give yourself a break now and then to go out with friends! You'll feel a whole lot better afterwards and will be able to get more work done.

 

[anthony vuong1]

well if since you had that many assessments getting a mark of 0, therefore your chance of getting into UNI is unlikely. Just being honest...

 

[Sprinkles~]

well if since you had that many assessments getting a mark of 0, therefore your chance of getting into UNI is unlikely. Just being honest...

that's not true, if she tells her school about everything, gets the documentation and applies for consideration then she won't get 0 in that assignement.

she can still get into uni if that's what she wants to do.

 

[Amy Lou]

I'm melting slowly, though I tend to vent it briefly here and there.
My main issue is procrastination...if I hooked in I'd do so much better, but it's just ...

 

[iambored]

Hey Jesykka,

We have so much work! I don't understand how it's possible to do so much work and have the load never seem to decrease! I've been doing school work every spare minute, spending every lunch time in the library etc and I'm still falling behind :'(.

Something isn't working there, have a look at where you're spending your time because you shouldn't be working that hard and falling behind. You mentioned yourself it might be the OCD, whatever it is, it's not right.

I feel uncomfortable admitting those things on paper to my teachers and I feel like they will see it as me just trying to get out of doing work .

There's absolutely nothing wrong with admitting this to your teachers, they may and should be able to help you, they can't help if they don't know what's happening.

Why don't you go back to your specialist? If things are getting worse, that's a sign to get help again. They may be able to give you advice on how to fill out the forms and get everything under control again. Have you thought about doing this hsc year over 2 years to lighten the load a bit?

I'm totally screwed huh? I just wanna give up and drop out .

Of course not, all the best

 

[kloudsurfer]

Know the feeling. Ive suffered from depression too (but luckily ive been fine this yr...so far anyway!)

Anyway, have you told your teachers about all of this? I know you probably dont feel comfortable talking about it with them, but I am sure that if you do they will be very understanding. They definetly wont think you are trying to get out of work, and they will certainly take this into consideration regarding your assessments and everything.

Anyway, make sure you look after yourself too. If you are feeling depressed go back and see your specialist, dont just continue as you are or you will just get worse and this will continue to effect your assesments (not to mention your well-being!)

All the best.

 

[m0ofin]

Though none of us know you at all, you're not as screwed as you think you may be, I'm sure of it. The fact that you've actually put your hand up for help is a clear signal that you're willing to fix up your problems. You'll always get a bit of help if you ask for it and are willing to accept it and you've done both of those things now, that's a great achievement so far. There's plenty of help out there, you just need to know where to look.

Hope all is well soon.

 

[steffiduck]

See the councellor, speak to your teachers, and talk to your friends and family. they are your support network, and they will help you if you ask them for it.

Take a break from studying at lunch and spend the time with friends, sleep well, eat well--this helps if your study seems to be getting you no where.

see your doctor now--if you don't see one, it may make you feel even worse when you continually see yourself not doing as well as you expected.


remember that life doesn't revolve around the hsc, assessments, UAI, etc. Life won't end because you drop out!

I hope this advice doesn't seem too repetitive or totally unhelpful...

 

[princesskt]

I can relate to 2 of those things *hugs* since starting year 12 my depression has been getting worse and so has my anxiety as well we can all get thru this. no way should you drop when we're already sooo close to the end. i think you should see someone, counsellor or teacher u know well or someone. it will help so much if someone knows. u can PM or add me on msn if u like im with u on this.. to a degree

 

[shinji]

wait tilll u get into uni. lol,

yeah, well there's nothing wrong with putting in an appeal form. if the teachers know that your the studious type, they'll show some leniency towards your case i guess.

yeah, if u need someone to talk to, i'm always here =D
i literally went crazy due to lack of social contact during hsc. haha, yeah.
i started hearing voices/talking tomyself

 

[Sprinkles~]

It's pretty bludgy! People I know from 2nd and 3rd year just play pool.

Really?

Everyone I know says its worse than the HSC :/

From what I've experienced in my four short weeks its far worse, heaps more workload. And its apparently harder to go well in a subject than it was for the HSC, because there's a higher standard or something. I'm far more stressed than I was during the HSC and I went totally nuts last year haha .


Plus, there's the extra pressure that you if fail anything you've wasted all that money lol.

 

[anthony vuong1]

look everyone is stressed out from HSC but still they get their assignments on on time. So stop complaining its your own fault for sitting on a chair all day stressing out doing nothing...

 

[SoulSearcher]

look everyone is stressed out from HSC but still they get their assignments on on time. So stop complaining its your own fault for sitting on a chair all day stressing out doing nothing...

Yeah, because you know everything about her situation and her actions.

 

[Sprinkles~]

look everyone is stressed out from HSC but still they get their assignments on on time. So stop complaining its your own fault for sitting on a chair all day stressing out doing nothing...

That is really slack.

She has depression, OCD and anxiety. Illness' that are beyond her control so you cannot blame her for that. Think about how hard it is for people who have no health problems to complete the HSC, its a million times harder when you do.

 

[Testpilot]

You HSC kiddies need to harden the fuck up. Uni is the HSC with chest hair.

 

[Sprinkles~]

If that is the case, her psychologists and psychatrists will be able to vouge for it and due course will be taken. And dont bitch about how hard it is - I did it with a massive Anxiety disorder and deep Depression.

I actually do know what I'm talking about, very much so, so screw you

I was sticking up for her, if you didn't notice, because I know shit it is when people tell you to do things like get up off your ass and do something as if its that easy and you're just being lazy.

Whether you have physical health problems or mental health problems it's going to make schooling harder. duh. And I'd have thought you'd have known that going through it yourself.

 

[Jesykka]

Erk. What a fine mess of bitching and debate I've created.
Well thanks for the support and the advice to those of you who supplied it . Especially to you sparkles xx.

And Anthony, I am NOT sitting on my arse doing nothing. Do NOT tell me this is what I'm doing. I haven't been bitching about how hard it is to do the HSC with these disorders, I discribed my situation and asked for advice. I was having a hard time and so yeah, my post had a fair bit of emotion attached to it. I don't recall saying that it was so much harder for me than everyone else. I wouldn't have said that. I was mostly just after advice regarding how I fill out the appeal forms and what I would need to supply to back them up etc. I screwed up and now I'm trying to fix it. You don't know me, you clearly don't understand what you're talking about and judging me on, so really, I think you should keep your uninformed opinions to yourself .
I'm sure "everyone" is stressed, but wow, "still they get their assignments in on time" is a pretty big generalisation to make.
Do not tell I'm stressing over nothing. Not until you've worked flat out for three hours and still haven't finished the first section of your assessment because you have to stop every two minutes and press your wrist into the desk, press unnecissary keys on the keyboard until it feels ok again, or write with your pen perfectly straight ensuring that you're writing with the middle point of the ball exactly, having to stop at every chance to scribble hard on the side of your page amognst a million other compulsions you have to act out on. Mixed in with everything else, yeah, it kinda gets in the way of my school work sometimes.
So sorry for that 'complaint' but I hope it demonstrated my point. It isn't "nothing". It's probably the most prominant part of my life and life is not just nothing.

Anyway, I visited my GP, I got a certificate to say I had one condition which has worsened recently and is pretty constant anyway but I can't get certificates for the ones I mentioned earlier from him because the specialist who diagnosed me hasn't sent back any information regarding me to my GP since like 2004! So I'm going to have to wait a while for those. I asked for a referal to someone else too since I've stopped seeing that guy but I have to wait until my GP has spoken to him even to get THAT. Gosh.

It'll work itself out anyway. Thanks guys