College

Today was a start of a new midterm semester classes... lol it was English, my favorite subject. But I was so nervous the other three people there was starting to get tired of me.. I knew I was doing it, but i couldn't stop.. i'd stop for a few seconds then start back up and not even notice it until they glared at me again... We had these chairs that you could swing side to side in.. and then when i wasn't doing that i'd be clicking my pen, or messing with the keyboard, or something where i was moving (Even pacing in circles on break)... lol and that's when i get labeled with ADD... and yet i'm not.. i just have times when i get that way... But overall today's been a pretty good day.. I'm stuck on contemplating on how to explain to my parents that i need help... again.. but that's just something that's gonna take some time...
Anyone else in college? I noticed a post on here a few days ago about college... but my browser crashed before I could reply to it.

Does your college have a counseling center? I got help at mine. They're geared to the stresses at college.

I use to play with rubber bands, things that were "quiet" when I was anxious (shredding napkins or tissues? :-) Can you do some sport/activity that will wear you out a little bit? I read one place about how, if you grind your teeth (at night/sleeping) that that is similar to your brain twiddling its thumbs :-) and if you eat a bagel or apple, it will "wear out" your jaw muscles so you won't do that behavior. Maybe you can figure out something to do before classes that are hard so your body can relax more?

I get like that too...I do more destructive things though, like tear at my nails till they bleed.

No, but i could probably ask the teacher if they could get a counselour to our campus....
and hmm... sounds interesting.. lol.. i have plenty of apples.

and owch... that sounds painfull.. *tries to avoid from biting my nails much...

gum. something to chew that won't distract others (just try and keep your jaw closed when you chew!)

or boiled sweets or hard mints to suck on or something like that.

have you done any mindfulness meditation attention focusing type stuff? that might help with the urge to fidgit. i get a little like that when i'm anxious too. typically end up biting my nails or chewing on my lip

hmm, teacher said no gum, it drives her "batty" even if she doesn't hear it, she still says it brings back bad memories for her.... sooo.... can't do that... (I can in Math though, so thanks for the idea)

and I never have tried any of that stuff.... I'm not even sure how to meditate.......... Sounds interesting though ^_^

There are so many ways to meditate. Its not a one-size-fits-all thing so basically it is a way you find where you can calm your body and mind. I sit in a comfortable position and pick some random, one-sylable word or sound and repeat it over and over with my eyes closed. Many people just focus in on thier breathing, but the word or sound helps me focus on my breathing - I make the sound or word as I breath out and it keeps me at a steady pace. If I just try to focus on my breathing my mind wanders too much. A little wandering is fine but the focus is what calms you most. Do this for about 20 min before class and you will feel so refreshed. It takes some getting used to but it'll work eventually. Also, make sure to set an alarm... even though you are not asleep you do not want to keep breaking the meditation to see what time it is AND don't use a timer that ticks... it will only get in the way of your focus! I tell you, it got me through a lot!!!

If that doesn't work for you, do you have an animal in your life that enjoys just quietly being pet? At school (I went to a school for zoo keepers/exotic animal trainers) there was a Galapagos giant tortoise who could sit for hours having his neck scratched. Its like he would go into a trance. An hour before a major test I would sit by him and just quietly scratch him... that was very relaxing too!

Okay, I'll try that ^_^

and I have pets around... but none of them are quiet... Maybe I could get a turtle at the pet shop or something ^_^ or a lizard.

Yeah, pretty much lifelong experience with lizards here tells me that most wont sit still long term to get pettings! Some people's bearded dragons will... but mine certainly wont. Tortoises are best for this... but they take a LOT of work! One of the pets I had that was the most relaxing for me were rats. Not so much the females... they are all over the place... but the males, when they are adults, tend to be loving little squishes. I miss petting my little, soft ratties to comfort me.

But do not get a pet if you are not financially able to handle it... lots of pets are inexpensive, but between the proper housing, bedding, lighting, food and possible vet bills, they can be extremely expensive. Three of my 6 rats were freebees and the other three all cost less than $10 a piece, but I'm sure that a couple thousand went into them altogether, expecially the females dealing with mammory tumors and infections.

Give the meditation a shot first if pets aren't the answer... on the other hand, if you feel you can give the necessary care an attention to an animal... well lets just say I'd never get through without mine!!!