Written by Jess Anderson
Hi, I’m Jess! I’m nearing the end of my Bachelor of Arts degree, with special interests in sociology and political science.
I first enrolled at university in 2020 as a mature-aged student. For a few months, I loved falling into a shared weekly rhythm with my classmates. But ever since the pandemic ushered us all safely inside, and I continued my study by distance, I have found myself struck by the double-edged sword of being an online student.
Online study is wonderful because it makes tertiary education accessible regardless of time or space. I wouldn’t be able to complete my degree without this option. However, this total freedom quickly became a thorn in my side, as creating structure and routine was entirely up to me. I frequently felt overwhelmed by endless streams of information, struggled to initiate tasks, and was riddled with guilt for not using my time efficiently.
I tried every productivity hack out there. Pomodoro apps, task and time-management systems, changing up my environment to local cafes (which in a small town, just meant constant interruptions from friendly familiar faces). It also didn’t help that my rabbit, Miffy, frequently decided my study notes were his personal resting spot and/or tasty snack. Alas, a messy pile of failed attempts grew around me, and my motivation drained as I began seeing myself as the problem.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned on this twisting journey is that feeling alone in your struggles makes them so much harder to overcome. I finally realised I wasn’t weird or broken, but that I lacked a certain kind of support. Despite what productivity gurus will preach, there is no “silver bullet” to turn yourself into an efficiency wizard. Instead, my entire trajectory changed when I finally reached out to see what support the university could provide.
This turning point began with speaking to a Charles Sturt Counsellor. Not only did I find a free, compassionate space for venting my emotions, but I also received a game-changing recommendation: book an appointment with an Academic Skills Adviser. Over a series of meetings, I was able to make deep, meaningful progress in several important areas I couldn’t have even identified previously – things like time management, interpreting essay prompts, and breaking big tasks down into approachable pieces. I’d heard about “SMART goals” before, but always shrugged them off as another shallow productivity hack – now I eat them for breakfast.
But even once I knew what to do, I still needed help executing it. This is where the Body Doubling pilot program came in. I had tried forms of body doubling before – like attempting my study whilst playing a YouTube video of an internet stranger working to a timer – but I found myself with the same problem: too much freedom and not enough structure. Joining a real, interactive body doubling session instantly quelled that uncomfortable untethered feeling.
I had always believed I preferred independent work, but I was undervaluing the basic fact that we humans are pro-social creatures. While “body doubling” might sound like a buzzword, the concept of having a companion while tackling chores or homework is a tried-and-true, community-centred practice. For decades, communities – particularly neurodivergent ones – have relied on shared presence for initiating and maintaining focus on tasks that feel difficult. Body doubling offers to hold you in a space of refreshingly gentle communal support, rather than being a punitive zone for productivity-maxxing.
Now, I don’t feel intimidated by the simple direction to identify a goal for a study session. I feel a newfound confidence in arriving, knowing exactly what I need to do, and having an ideal, supportive environment to do it in.
It may sound cheesy, but my attitude towards study was completely transformed by leaning on a combination of university support services. If you’re studying online and feeling trapped in an isolating echo chamber, please know that you aren’t the problem. You might just need a different kind of support, and it’s out there waiting for you.
At Charles Sturt, body doubling is open to everyone as a virtual study space. Come join: Body Doubling Registration Form – the more of us, the merrier!
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