Grad School With Ptsd

[passerine]

You know what's really getting to me? The readings. I literally just started classes a week ago and am already overwhelmed by the amount of reading that I have to do, particularly for one of the weekend intensive classes that I'm taking (two Friday evenings and two all day Saturdays and Sundays during the semester). I just don't have the concentration required to retain the information right now, which is frustrating especially since I generally really like to read and find some of the material to be really interesting. I guess I just need to keep honing in on my grounding skills because dissociation is going to make this impossible. Sigh. I have no idea how I'm going to make it through this semester without falling flat on my face again (like I did last year).

 

[Samantha_38]

I agree about the reading @passerine . It helps me to read out loud and also to plan it to only read a couple pages at a time, then do something quick (move laundry or whatever). Then sit back down and read another page or two. Make sure to end at the end of a section, and just promise yourself you're going to focus extra hard on really learning the stuff in the section you do read. It's very broken up, and may not work for everyone, but it seems to help me.

 

[passerine]

Good plan, @Samantha_38. I definitely can't read any more than a chapter at a time right now. My concentration is shot. I have A LOT to read before Friday, which is overwhelming and adding to my anxiety. I think the only way I'll be able to do it is to break it up into sections and tackle one to two pages at a time.

This semester is going to be so, so hard. I have good supports in place, but the work load is really heavy and like I said I'm already overwhelmed. I'm going to get my letters for the professors written up at disability services this week and am hopeful the accommodations will help me manage, but I'm also wondering right now what the hell I am doing even trying to attempt to get this degree given my current mental health status.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I have a degree in language and social development. You both are employing proven methods to aid comprehension of expository text. If you want to take it one step farther you could write on index cards the words who? Where! How? Why! When you've read a paragraph pick a card and form a statement that supports the question you picked. Over time increase the number of paragraphs you read. This will help you succeed in retaining what you've written.

 

[passerine]

Great idea, @KwanYingirl, thanks!

Right now, I'm focusing on grounding. I'll be able to attempt the readings again once I feel present enough to focus.