College Stress Support Group
This community is dedicated to the unique challenges and stresses of being in college or university, including: relationship challenges, roommates, financial issues, academics, and questions about careers and future. College is exciting, scary, fulfilling, and sometimes a little out of control. Get support from other students and make a new friend!
WELL,
here's the thing,
as part of my Masters degree; I have to squeeze two years into one with my placement. Meaning 750 hours need to be done by November this year. While I also have to do full time uni work assessments and work my two other jobs two days a week. I'm struggling a bit with that already.
At this place - a psych ward - I've had some bad experiences and not sure I'm coping with the intensity of the clients. Adults with dual psychological disorders, some with aggressive behaviours and thought disorders etc. So I've also got no set one supervisor yet there and i'm so frustrated!!!!!!.... but I can't really wait to find another place; nor can I even find a place if I could wait. I've called EVERYWHERE around the place with no luck anyway.
My problem is knowing what to do!
The first day at this place was the therapist's last day (i'm training to be a therapist)... and she said that with these clients dont' really improve ... but that the art therapy helps from day to day. I found this really off putting and it made me contemplate why i'm even doing art therapy.
I guess I'm having a crisis of choice. I've studied 7 years to reach this point though and I really want it to be reached/over.
advice welcome!
here's the thing,
as part of my Masters degree; I have to squeeze two years into one with my placement. Meaning 750 hours need to be done by November this year. While I also have to do full time uni work assessments and work my two other jobs two days a week. I'm struggling a bit with that already.
At this place - a psych ward - I've had some bad experiences and not sure I'm coping with the intensity of the clients. Adults with dual psychological disorders, some with aggressive behaviours and thought disorders etc. So I've also got no set one supervisor yet there and i'm so frustrated!!!!!!.... but I can't really wait to find another place; nor can I even find a place if I could wait. I've called EVERYWHERE around the place with no luck anyway.
My problem is knowing what to do!
The first day at this place was the therapist's last day (i'm training to be a therapist)... and she said that with these clients dont' really improve ... but that the art therapy helps from day to day. I found this really off putting and it made me contemplate why i'm even doing art therapy.
I guess I'm having a crisis of choice. I've studied 7 years to reach this point though and I really want it to be reached/over.
advice welcome!
From what I understand, you have to work at this place for a while in order to get your degree? If that's the case, then you can try to tough it out. This place may not be the type of place you want to work in the long run, but if you can finish your degree, then you can move on to a job that you like better.
There are lots of possible places and people you can help with art therapy - it doesn't have to be these really difficult cases in a psyc ward.
It kind of sounds like you just need to put in your hours and try not to let it get you down too much. Try to rest while you can and don't think about the stressful stuff except when you absolutely have to. A lot of grad students get really stressed out because of similar situations. Maybe there is a support group or other students you can talk to. Venting to a counselor once a week could also help.
I think it's worth it for you to see this through if you can. At least I think it's worth a try. If you get your degree, and then decide to do something else, at least you will have finished what you started and ended up having something to show for it. And even if you get to the point where you just can't handle it anymore, and have to stop, that's ok, because you might be able to transfer or go back to school later.
I think you're just going through a difficult time right now, and you just need some understanding and support to help you through it. Try to prioritize your tasks, and focus on only what you have to do at the moment. Only put in as much effort as you think is necessary or worthwhile to avoid getting too burned out. Go easy on yourself and make sure to give yourself whatever breaks you can. Take a little time out each day to relax.
After this is all over, you will look back and realize that you went through something very challenging, and came out the other side. Use this as a learning experience in not overcommitting yourself in the future. You can always look for a less-stressful job and find work/life balance.
Art therapy can be a wonderful thing, and I think you can find a fulfilling job after this. Also, even though the patients you work with now may not "improve", if your work is helping them get through another day, then that's pretty amazing.
Hang in there!