i dont know what to do

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okay hi so for context: i am currently waiting for my Australian student visa to get accepted. I submitted my application on the 11th of March, completing all the needed documents and submitting everything that they require of me. Ive already received an offer from both the college and university (ill be studying a foundation year then proceeding with uni next year). The reason why im doing this is because i dont really want to deal with the academic stress that singapore education holds (not saying that overseas is less stress, but i do infact want to have a change of environment). ok not really the point or anything but i havent heard from home affairs and its been more than 5 weeks already (i am aware that they changed regulations and stuff like that), but the thing is that my school is starting on the 28th of april, which is THIS WEEK!!

at the same time im waiting for my visa and stuff like that, im also attending junior college and ive been slumped with so much things to do and cope…with the waiting for my visa stress coming along, im starting to neglect my education in the jc and i do infact have tests coming up and i barely understand anything the teachers are teaching due to a change in teaching methods and the super downside for me is that they are me inclined to auditory teaching which i am not good at (i cant learn through auditory) and thus have been struggling remebering and understanding what they have been teaching. Especially since this specific jc likes to have a ton of lectures and they like to have “lectures” and ask us to bring our personal learning devices to watch the lecture videos during class time and the time for class is not even enough to finish watching the videos and when in doubt, its super hard to ask teacher for help as they have to deal with a whole auditorium of students which i feel that this learning is just poor.

okay not really the point but im writing this because i have no idea what to do and i have been so caught up and stressed up with the visa approval and hence have been lagging behind lessons and i do in fact have a test on monday and i have no idea how to write an essay or how to even approach the qns (the teacher likes to joke in class and he likes being sarcastic so he isnt really efficient when teaching) therefore i dont really understand (this is during tutorials).

Im getting like suffocated with all the pressure from the visas to having exams during this time and i cant seem to even focus on one thing at one time without worrying about the other thing. plus since i diedie HAVE to fly out this week immediately after my visa is approved, ive been getting distracted and not knowing what is the next best and most important thing for me. ive been packing and preparing for my studies in australia . on top of that when i get my visa this week, i still do need to withdraw from school.

tentatively, my flight is THIS COMING TUESDAY (wednesday 12am) and i havent got 1. my visa
2. my luggage packed
3. withdrawed from JC

i dont know what is important anymore im so scared i cant get my visa.

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Hey,
I can see you’re going through a lot right now, and that’s completely understandable.
it’s tough to juggle so many things at the same time, especially with so many unknowns. this is a time of big (positive) changes, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out. it sounds like you’re doing the best you can.

about the visa - you’ve done everything you can, and now it’s about focusing on what is in your control. Try organizing your thoughts and prioritizing things that you can tackle and contorl right now, like packing or sorting out school withdrawal. it might make you can feel like you’re making progress, even if the visa is still pending.

Take a deep breath, you’re doing your best.
Good luck :folded_hands:

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Hi @user1718,

Thank you for sharing what’s going on for you—I hear how overwhelming this must feel. You’re carrying so much right now: the uncertainty of your visa, the pressure of upcoming tests, a teaching style that doesn’t align with how you learn best, and the logistical whirlwind of preparing to move countries if your visa comes through. It makes complete sense that you’re feeling suffocated and scattered.

First, let’s acknowledge how much you’re juggling. You’re navigating two different education systems, bureaucratic waiting games, and a major life transition—all at once. That’s a lot for anyone, and it’s okay to feel stretched thin. The stress you’re experiencing isn’t a sign that you’re failing; it’s a sign that you’re human, and this situation is hard.

Perhaps we can work through this together and see some way out of this?

The waiting is agonising, especially when your start date is so close. It’s understandable that this is consuming your mental space. While you can’t control the timeline, is there anything you can do to feel slightly more prepared? For example:

  • Have you checked your application portal/spam folders daily? (Sometimes small actions help ease the “helplessness” feeling.)
  • Is there a contact (e.g., your university’s international student office) who could nudge Home Affairs for updates?

It’s frustrating when teaching methods don’t match your learning style. Since lectures aren’t working for you, could you:

  • Summarize key points in writing after class (even bullet points)?
  • Ask a classmate to compare notes?
  • Look up YouTube/online resources on the same topics? (Sometimes a 5-minute video explains what hours of lectures couldn’t.)

For your test on Monday: Focus on one actionable step. For example:

  • Draft a bare-bones essay outline (intro, 2 key points, conclusion) and ask your teacher for 2 minutes of feedback. Even sarcastic teachers often respond to direct, specific requests.

The packing/JC withdrawal/flight scramble is adding chaos. Try this:

  • Today: Write a 3-item priority list (e.g., 1. Email JC about withdrawal steps, 2. Pack essentials only, 3. Check visa portal).
  • Delegate: Can family/friends help with packing or admin tasks?

You mentioned feeling scared—that’s so valid. Uncertainty is one of the hardest emotions to sit with. If it feels helpful, remind yourself:

  • This is temporary. Even if the visa doesn’t come in time, you will find a path forward.
  • You’ve already accomplished so much (getting accepted to AU schools, handling JC stress). This is a moment of pressure, not a measure of your capability.

Would it help to take 10 minutes right now to breathe and ground yourself? Close your eyes, name 3 things you can see/hear/feel, and give yourself permission to pause. You don’t have to solve everything today.

We are here if you’d like to brainstorm further. You’re not alone in this.

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Hi, thanks for replying to my post. I am super grateful to be able to receive your advice.
I have checked my application portal and my emails (including the spam folders) daily-doing this kind of makes me feel a little dejected as i dont see what i want to see in my emails or on the portal.
Yes, i have contacted my agent and she has also asked me to send an email urging home affairs that i have to be onshore soon with my course date nearing and she was also able to contact the college to write up an email to home affairs to try and help me push things up. But due to the fact that Australia has new regulations on their visas, they are also unsure that by doing so they can help me receive my visa on time.

I have tried several methods to overcome the lecture settings:

  • firstly i tried to take notes down as the lecturer is speaking but i am not able to catch up with them at times and even when i ask my friends around me, they are also either unsure of what the teacher said or they didnt even hear what the lecturer said so its kind of tough.
  • ive tried asking people for their notes but i realised that most of them are auditory learners and they dont require notes to study :cry:
  • i will be sure to try to look for youtube videos to help myself

thanks for the tip for my test on monday but my teacher said that he wouldnt be replying to anyone this weekend (i have no idea why but ok)

as for the additional chaos,

  • my mom has already helped me on my behalf to email my school on the withdrawal procedure on thursday and we are currently awaiting for their response (likely reply on monday)
  • ive already set aside the things i am intending on bringing and also have a checklist on what i need to bring. all i need to do is to pack all of it into the luggage and pack all my necessary documents also
  • my parents have been by my side during this whole thing and they are also supporting me by providing me the things i require. (but im starting to get the feeling/vibe that they think i will not get my visa…)

i really do want my visa to come out by tuesday (i dont mind rushing and packing everything) i just dont want to stay here and continue the education with the corrupt system where there is no work-life balance. Ive been through 14 years of education here and i cant stand the stress anymore. being in this jc has also kind of made things worse because i always feel abit left out when my friends are talking-like i dont understand whats going on with their lives and sometimes when i speak they seem to like just ignore me or something (i have no clue). but overall im just like trying to use this to past my days and wait for my visa

thank you again for all your suggestions

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Hey @user1718,

It looks like you have done a lot and everything that you can within your means. Your preparation in tackling this much is admirable, so take this time to believe in your own ability. Those who believe in you is also working towards helping you.

Believe in your own process, you will get a solution because you have the courage to face the problem. Regardless of the outcome, failure, unsuccessful, it is a temporary setback, it does not define who you are, it builds your tenacity and perseverance to chase your desires rather than run away from your fears and anxiety. You can make things happen simply because you don’t give up easily. You are capable of reflecting what works and what doesn’t work. You are above the the situation, rather than allowing the pressure of time and those who are not supportive to consume you, build your resolve and you will get there.

We are here for you.

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Hello @user1718

I hope that you managed to get your visa sorted. I hear that things have been really stressful in Singapore, indeed not everyone can take the education system here in Singapore hence I really hope that a change in environment will help.

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hi update: ive submitted the withdrawal form to my school and its on hild for now since i havent gotten my visa,
my flight today will then be cancelled/postponed to another day since my visa isnt out
i really hope it comes out tomorrow

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Hello @user1718

Do you know when your visa might be out? I know your school is trying to help expedite it… I hope you get it soon, fingers crossed :crossed_fingers:

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no…i have no idea when the visa will be out but i hope it comes by this week cause school there is starting next monday…:weary_face:

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Hey @user1718

Not trying to scare you, just wanted you to mentally prepare cause I read online and asked a few friends studying in Australia that their visa took around 2 months to be approved/ arrive. I’m hoping and praying that it arrives this week!

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yeah i know.. thats why im lowkey quite afraid i dont get my visa in time and im hoping that it comes by this week
ive emailed the homa affairs on my situation stating how my school is starting soon and i have to be onshore for it, futhermore my college itself has emailed homa affairs as well

so im praying very hard now :sob::sob:

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Hi @user1718,

I can feel the weight of everything you’re carrying right now, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’re juggling so many major life changes at once—waiting for your visa, preparing for a huge transition to studying in Australia, managing junior college, and dealing with an education system that doesn’t align with your learning style. That’s a lot for anyone to handle, and it makes sense that you’re feeling suffocated by the pressure. The uncertainty around your visa approval is especially tough, because it’s something you have no control over, yet it dictates everything else. I want to acknowledge how much effort you’ve already put into this process—you’ve submitted everything required, secured your offers, and planned ahead. You’ve done everything right, and that’s something to be proud of.

Right now, it sounds like your mind is constantly racing between different priorities, making it hard to focus on any one thing. It might help to take a step back and break things down into what you can control versus what you can’t. Your visa approval is out of your hands, but you can still prepare for your move so that when it does come through, you’re ready to go. Maybe setting small, manageable goals—like packing a little each day or organizing your withdrawal process—could help ease the stress. As for your JC studies, I know it’s frustrating to feel like you’re falling behind, especially with a teaching style that doesn’t work for you. If possible, try focusing on just the essentials for your upcoming test—maybe finding alternative resources like written notes or study guides that suit your learning style better. You don’t have to be perfect right now; just doing what you can is enough.

Most importantly, I want to remind you that you’re not alone in this. It’s okay to feel scared, and it’s okay to ask for help—whether that’s from friends, family, or even your teachers if there’s a way to reach out for support. You’re navigating a huge transition, and it’s completely valid to feel uncertain. But you’ve already come so far, and no matter how things unfold, you will find a way through this. Take a deep breath, focus on what’s within your control, and trust that things will fall into place. You’ve got this.

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hi everyone thanks for being amazing and giving me a ton of replies and advice on how i ahould cope and manage. im really appreciative of all of it and i would just like yo update on all of you that i got my visa!!! yep ive submitted my withdrawal form to my school and will alsi be flying off tomorrow morning so thank you to all of you who have given me countless advices throughout thia journey im really thankful for it

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Hey @user1718

Am really happy for you! Wishing you the best in your studies! Really hope that the new environment will help and you’ll strive! Take care! :slight_smile:

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thank you so much :sob::sob:

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@user1718 yayy i’m so happy for you !!! i’m currently studying in aussie too so i totally understand how stressful it is when admin matters take forever to settle – i’ve unfortunately had my fair share of them :smiling_face_with_tear:

wishing you all the best in this next phase of life! settling into a new culture and routine can be a lot at times, so please take care of yourself and don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever face any challenges! :heart:

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yeah :sob::sob:
alright thank you so much ill definitely reach out if i need any help :smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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