Good morning,
I am Huizuko, and I am dedicated to personal growth. After reading your description, I feel a strong resonance. I also had a similar experience to yours. I once studied in a class that was not as motivated as it could have been, and I had to work hard to prepare for the college entrance exam. Therefore, I had to fight against the pressure of the exam and the negative influence of the people around me at the same time. It is easy to waste energy, so it is normal to have a poor performance in the exam. I wish you the best of luck in the second battle of the college entrance exam. I also hope that some of my thoughts and experiences can help you.
☘️ First, I would like to present the psychological concept of "task separation." Understanding this concept can effectively address a vast majority of interpersonal relationship issues. We can comprehend this concept in the following ways:
Ideally, each of us is an independent individual with clearly defined boundaries. In the state of topic separation, you are fully aware of your objectives and aspirations in life. You have complete autonomy over your own life.
2. It is important to understand that while you have the ability to make your own decisions regarding your whereabouts and life choices, you cannot control the attitudes and emotions of others towards you. Therefore, you should not concern yourself with the comments and opinions of others about you, as these are beyond your control.
3. It is advisable to focus your attention on topics that you can control, that is, your own goals and plans, and to minimise or even avoid excessive attention to other people's topics. It is important to remember that we have no control over what others think of us or whether they like us. Attending to things we cannot control can lead to feelings of powerlessness, meaninglessness and a lack of control.
From this perspective, the root cause of your distress can be attributed to the misallocation of your time and energy. Rather than investing these resources in your own topics, such as preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam or future planning, you have directed them toward others' topics. These include concerns about how others perceive you, whether they are taking the postgraduate entrance exam, and whether they are studying hard.
Therefore, from a psychological perspective, my objective is to help you establish a clear distinction between yourself and your classmates. In other words, they are individuals with their own choices and preferences, while you are a unique entity with your own set of priorities and actions. You have the autonomy to choose to study rigorously, while your classmates may opt for different approaches, including not studying or even discussing your academic performance. However, these external influences will not alter your personal decision to pursue academic excellence.
While you have grasped this concept, it will take time and practice to integrate it into your daily life. Over the coming weeks, I encourage you to take part in the following exercises to help you develop a clear sense of personal and social boundaries. This will be invaluable in preparing for the exam and navigating future challenges.
1. Utilize visualization techniques to establish clear boundaries with others.
You have indicated that you frequently experience discomfort when in the presence of your colleagues. This suggests that you tend to focus on the challenges and issues that others are facing. When you next interact with your colleagues, it may be helpful to imagine a clear and defined boundary between you and them. This can help to create a sense of safety and control within your own personal space, allowing you to focus on your own tasks and concerns without being distracted by external issues.
2. Demonstrating empathy, respect, and understanding for the choices and issues of others represents the most complete form of liberation for oneself.
In accordance with the principle of separating topics, each individual is entitled to determine the course of their own life. Consequently, your classmates' decision not to study or discuss you is just as valid as your own choice to pursue academic excellence.
I would like to invite you to take a moment to observe your classmates. You may notice that they have chosen not to work hard because they are content with the status quo, have low self-esteem, are lazy, or for other reasons. You may also notice that you, who have made a different choice, are experiencing feelings of jealousy and anxiety.
Therefore, their judgments of you are also a result of their inability to process their emotions and engage in constructive self-reflection. When you recognize this, you will understand that you are not the object of their emotions, and ultimately, they are the ones being evaluated. This is the underlying reason why you cannot control their attitude towards you.
Once you have a clear understanding of the situation, you will be better equipped to handle it with less blame and more compassion and empathy. It is important to remember that everyone is responsible for their own choices, and you are solely responsible for your own actions.
It is important to understand others, but it is equally important not to interfere in other people's lives.
3. Use meditation to help yourself cope with extreme emotions. It is possible to remain calm and rational even when we are emotional. Practice separating emotions from actions.
When irritability arises, I suggest a brief meditation exercise. First, pause your activity, then focus on deep breathing. Finally, detach from your immediate self as an objective observer. Next, describe your emotional state and thoughts in a calm and objective manner. Then, communicate with the emotion in a patient and calm manner, attempting to calm it down.
One possible approach is to engage in self-talk in the following manner:
"I can see that I am currently experiencing a troubling emotion, as evidenced by the fact that my classmates are discussing me over there. This is very disturbing to me, and it is affecting my ability to concentrate on my studies. I am starting to feel worried and irritable, and I am also experiencing a degree of shame.
My breathing rate increased, my heart rate accelerated, and my face became slightly flushed. However, this is a normal physiological response to emotions.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, I am confident that my resolve will not be affected. My current priority is preparing for the exam. I acknowledge the presence of this challenging emotion and recognize its potential to impede my progress. However, I am determined to maintain control and ensure that external influences do not impact my performance. Your concerns are valid, but I am equipped to handle them. Ultimately, they will not affect my exam outcome.
"I will continue with my studies, but you are welcome to stay for a while longer. I will return to provide comfort after I have completed my tasks for the day."
If you take the time to interact with your emotions in a patient and constructive manner, you will find that they dissipate quickly. It is crucial to recognize that you possess the capacity to manage your emotions effectively. By engaging with your emotions and communicating with them, you can foster a more positive and productive relationship.
I wish you the utmost success in your upcoming examinations and hope that these experiments in life will bring joy and insight to your journey of preparation.
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling out of place in an environment that doesn't match your ambitions. It's tough when you're surrounded by people who don't share your drive. Moving forward, try to focus on your personal goals and not let others' attitudes affect you.
It sounds like you were carrying a heavy burden all by yourself. Maybe it's time to reach out to someone who understands what you're going through or even consider speaking with a counselor for support.
Your past shouldn't define your future. Failing an exam is just one moment in time. What matters now is how you respond to this setback. Consider each failure as a learning experience that can help you grow stronger.
The pressure you put on yourself must have been immense. It's important to remember that success isn't just about the outcome but also about the journey. Try to find peace in the effort you put into studying and preparing, regardless of the results.
Feeling like you've let others down can be really hard. But remember, your worth isn't determined by others' opinions. Take this opportunity to reconnect with yourself and redefine what success means to you personally.