Draw my life - SimonOxfPhys
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- čas přidán 22. 02. 2015
- Featuring bad latin, heartbreak, a cat, a famous CZcamsr, and lots of stick men - it's my draw my life video! Also all the evidence that you could ever need that I should never be an artist.
I'm very sorry that this has taken so long to do, and that it takes so long to watch - I went a bit overboard on writing this one. It contains far more detail than any of you could ever be interested in, but I hope that you enjoy it regardless :) This obviously contains a lot of sensitive material that I haven't talked about before so please be gentle in the comments section. I realise that I haven't acted in the best manner possible for my whole life, and I'm perfectly open to constructive criticism about my conduct - but hate or destructive criticism isn't something that I respond to well.
Some of the issues discussed in this video can be triggering for some people, or strike close to home. It's very important that you know that there is always help available - if you are not at university then resources such as Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org or ChildLine www.childline.org.uk are always there. If you are at university then please remember that your university will have a counselling or mental health service that can help you. Please don't be afraid or be too proud to ask for help - that was the mistake that I made, and it cost me bitterly. Help is always there, and if you think you need it, don't be embarrassed to ask. They are there for a reason and that reason is you.
If this video inspires you to do your own draw my life please link it to me! I love watching them, and would love to learn more about you guys :)
--------- II ---------
I am Simon, a first year PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. I upload videos on bits of science which are relevant to what I do, and sometimes just because they're really cool.
Vlogs from Oxford students - / oxvlog
My twitter - / simonoxfphys
Music - Kevin McLeod, www.incompetech.com/music/roya...
Mate I wanna give you a big hug after that
How to feel bad about yourself. This video.
As long as you do your best, you should feel inspired by it!
Michael Massa Jr. doing your best is harder than people sometimes think
You seem like a really genuine and nice guy who has just tried and tried to get where he is in life.
Thank you :)
I don't know if you realise this but you're remarkable. It's so inspirational of you to pull through the difficult days. A lot of your viewers appreciate the thought and effort you put into your videos, particularly the ones that answer our academic inquiries. I love your channel. I'm so grateful for the fact that you popped up on my recommended list. You've just gained a loyal subscriber. :) I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavours.
Thank you so much
So you didn't think you were too great at maths when you were young. However, you did maths, further maths and physics at college and got all A's, wow thats very inspiring. Great resilience
Now he has a phD in mathematics. Damn!
Piyush InfoUna I thought it was in Atmospheric Physics?
Yes he has a phd in atmospheric physics
This almost made me cry. I've been battling depression for over 2 years now, and sometimes it seems to subside, other times it gets worse for the stupidest of reasons... I'm very glad you managed to overcome the difficulties you were faced with, and I hope you go on to achieve great things and do whatever makes you happiest. You structure your videos very well, and are indeed a skilled talker and presenter; you also seem like a decent person, which I commend you for -- those are a rarity nowadays. I enjoy watching and listening to you and Jamie immensely, and your study tips have helped me a lot. Keep making awesome videos! :D
Can you shut the fuck up please?
SukMa Dek spotted the 14 year old edgy kid.
SukMa Dek Yeah 12 year old stupid kid spotted!
Simon, thanks for this. It reminds us of how some super-achievers can also hit bumps and struggle.
Absolutely hates maths, takes further maths a level
I am not a smart man.
Simon Clark lol
This is one of the most open and honest 'Draw My Life' videos I've come across on CZcams! (and I've watched my fair share). You manage to present yourself as a real person as opposed to just an online identity and throughout your determination to succeed shines through. I wish you all the best in the future, which ever path it may take you down :)
As much as I'm only a mere GCSE student, this has inspired me to occupy my time not just with work and studying, but with other social activities that benefit. I may be a top student but I still feel as if I CAN improve no matter what. It can be hard to be consistent through exams, especially through logical/thinking problems. The other day I took on this problem; simple but took me time to solve, and it almost made me feel as if I was the worst yet "best" at maths. After watching this and the other videos on your channel, I feel that even the best can fatally fall in life and that you have those mistakes to pick yourself up in life and improve.
The other day I did the IMC, and now my ego is lying on the floor coughing up blood
Martin Teh Update? How much have you improved since you were a "mere GCSE student"?
This is by far the best draw my life I've ever watched. Love from hk:)
hk!
This makes me want to squeeze you & tell you how proud I am of you because I suffered depression & self harm as well & you've just flourished.....you've done SO well! I feel like I already know you as a friend even though I'm a stranger, lol. You've inspired me to just pursue what I love & live a good life. Thank you!
I can totally relate to your shitty summer between 3rd and 4th. My 15 year-old dog passed away last thursday, and I'm having a hard time coping with it. And to make matters worse, this week is the beginning of 5 weeks of final exams. I'm in my last year of Translation Studies and I'm really worried I'm gonna fail every single exam. I'm near the culmination of 4 years of studying, and I can't concentrate for more that 10 minutes. I hope everything turns out ok.
Hi! A lot better, thanks for asking!!! Partly because excersice does wonder to the brain, and partly because my neighbour gifted us one of his newborn puppies, and she is...a great distraction hahahaha, she is very affectionate but loves to run away from home every morning around 6 hahahaha. I never wanted to get another dog so quickly, but sometimes life goes at a different pace than expected. I didn't do well in all my exams, in fact I failed one today, but in the rest I got all 8s and 9s, and even one 10 in an essay. Graduation date got pushed back to Feb. but it doesn't matter, I'll get there eventually. In the meantime I'm going to enjoy the summer break. Happy holidays!!!
+Celi Méndez Glad you are better! Greetings from Argentina.
Leopoldo Carter
Gracias, che!
I enjoyed getting to know you a little better! I'm so sorry you've gone through such a rough time and I hope more than anything that you're better/seeking help now. I've been through that sort of thing a while ago and it's horrible to be in but getting better and recovering is the best feeling once you achieve it. I hope your future continues to get brighter and brighter as you are still and always have been one of my favourite youtubers :)
The thing that impresses me most about your outlook Simon is the level of drive that you have and your ability to grasp at opportunities that I'd honestly never have to guts to take. Yes, you may have been fortunate to have plenty of great opportunities but your ability to take them is so inspiring that as a first year at university it really makes me want to get involved.
Thanks for all the content that you've provided on your channel; I had no hope of attending Oxford but as a student at the University of Sheffield I found myself arriving knowing so much more about university life and how to work well in an independent environment. I look forward to many more of your videos, and of course, I commend your ability to share the personal situation that you faced in your fourth year. I can't imagine how you must have felt and I admire how you've powered on and got yourself into the incredible position that you're in now at Exeter.
***** Thanks so much for this comment :) made my heart swell up
It sounds like such a traumatic time that you had in your final year! I am so glad you're past it. I've recently got into oxford and I think you largely encouraged me to pursue it. Thank you!
Nada Kurdi Well done for getting in! And I'm glad that I helped in some way :)
I really admire how honest this video was! Absolutely inspirational. I'm so happy you're having such a good time of everything now! :)
It's a relief to hear that someone else has gone through things like these (I've not gone through them to such an extent, but I can relate). More videos like these are needed. Depression and mental struggle are taboo subjects and are rarely discussed, even though they're very common in today's society. Thank you Simon :))
It's weird to me that someone on CZcams is a real person which this video really hit home! I go to school in bath, go through keynsham everyday and know quite a few people from wellsway! (Not to mention occasional spotting the famous Charlie McDonald ) thanks for uploading this it makes me so glad to hear that you are conquering your depression as I have a friend in a similar position ( panick attack was when he first realised ) and it really gives hope! GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE
Danni Barron west country represent! And there's always hope - no matter how bad a situation may look, there is always hope if you look hard enough :)
This is so inspiring! I'm sorry that you had such a tough time. Such an honest video :)
I've watched a few dozen of your videos over the last few days and as I commented elsewhere your videos on mental health are amongst your very best.
I've struggled for many years now with depression, and have become an expert in spotting it in others over that time. I didnt even nearly spot it in any of your pre Oxford finals videos, which in hindsight makes your mental health videos doubly important to me.Thank you for your very frank and honest account in this video, I'm sure it took many more than myself by surprise.
For anyone else who has or is going through what both Simon and I have gone through, be aware that even though you may feel "I'm no good" or "I'm letting everyone down", there are always a lot of people around you who can help you with the load on your shoulders.
Finally (sorry for the length!) if you do see someone you suspect is suffering in this way, you'd be so very surprised at how much five mins of kindness/companionship can alleviate a person's suffering.
Dave
wow, I can't believe that was 17 minutes, it felt like 5
I'm seriously considering studying physics because of your videos, so thank you!
Etch En thanks! :)
@@SimonClark can you make a video on how you got an A in a level physics?? Or just some advise on this comment section will do... i absolutely love physics and the way it makes me think outside the box and gets me outside of my comfort zone, but honestly, A level physics is by far the hardest science a level... some tips would help.
Thanks for making this! It's great to hear you talk about the high's and low's of life so openly. Also especially helpful to me considering I've been through similar experiences, really great to just realise we're all human & susceptible to the same things no matter what. Helped me to put the academic side of things in my life at the moment into perspective, super glad you uploaded :)
I really loved this video, thank you so much for being so honest. I genuinely think this may have been the most inspiring draw my life video I've watched and I think it's because of your honesty. I've struggled with school related depression in the past and your story has just made me want to push on, so thank you for sharing. Congratulations on all your achievements you have so much to be proud of and I wish you every success with whatever path you choose in the future! :)
Simon, thank you for staying strong and wonderful and just yourself. I'm so glad that happiness has begun to flourish. It's really touching to hear that it's gotten better for you, because it's really easy for people to say 'it gets better' but when you see it actually does it just gives you real hope. And that's all you need sometimes. I'm so glad that you've been able to make it where you are and we can't wait to see your future. I sincerely hope that it continues on the up and up! Mental health issues are often seen as something 'smart' kids don't have and it's nice for you to be so honest with us! We love you loads!! Stay safe and brilliant!!
I've watched your videos for a long time Simon, and throughout that period last year when you were sitting your exams, I would never ever have thought you were depressed :( really didn't realise how much you've been through, but much respect to you for battling through it and in the process creating a fantastic online community :) please don't stop helping people and making content like this man, you're a legend :)
The depression related stuff you shared surprised me quite a bit, especially seeing as you seemed so cheery in you 'day in the life of' video. I've been doing something similar to the crazy work you put yourself through, and while I've been getting really good results, maybe I should start thinking about some other ways of approaching my study.
Thanks so much for doing this video, Simon :) It's been 2 years since you've uploaded this video but it is timeless. You're so brilliant yet you open up to your viewers so wholeheartedly! I can relate so much being a 3rd-year undergraduate student in Physics right now in the United States. You're a trailblazer.
This was so lovely and comforting to watch, as a masters student currently going through some really harrowing end semester exams, some parts of this were very very relatable. New subscriber now :D
Thank you so much for this video Simon, I really enjoyed it! Not only have you brought out entertaining and informative videos but you've also served as a great inspiration to myself and from reading the other comments, a lot of other people. I'm now in my second year studying physics and part of that is down to seeing your videos which inspired me to go for it, so thank you :)
You are very welcome :) glad you enjoyed it!
Such a fab video! So honest and engaging. Sorry to hear you had such a hard time but so glad you're happier now :D
I'm currently going to wellsway, and it's so cool seeing that someone from my school achieving us much as you have - it's rather uplifting :D
+jess godfrey It's absolutely possible! Not quite so much now Mr White is in charge, but it's absolutely possible :)
+SimonOxfPhys ohhhh snap! we have loads of new head of schools now, it's really confusing lmao.
You know I usually don't watch draw my life videos, but in your recent video you talked about it and I decided to watch it. This made me tearing up, your story is inspiring, you're a role model for me. Live isn't easy but you've to make the best of it and you do that.
Wow I really admire that you are brave to share parts of your life here. I find your videos very encouraging, and informative. I will start my A Levels soon, and your videos are so helpful. Stay strong and all the best Simon!
My sisters both referred me to your channel saying that you reminded them of me but I really didn't believe them until watching this. Thanks for sharing, this was incredibly relatable and I think I've learned from it. Props for knowing Charlie!
Very inspirational Simon, thanks! I've watching your vídeos since The "how to study effectively" tutorial, when i began medschool i really struggled with my learning techniques and your video just helped me out.
Watching all the struggles, ups, and downs of another college student has been helping me to deal with my own day by day... Just by realize im not The only one or alone.
Im dealing with depression too, but i know that it's just a rough time helping me to become... A better me later.
Thanks simon! Keep doing the awesome job.
Rex Esparza and you keep doing yours! :)
I'm really happy you shared about this. As someone who is currently experiencing an "all time low" for a couple of months now, this gives hope for a brighter future ahead with tons of opportunities! Thanks, mate. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm looking forward learning from you
An amazing video. It's shocking to understand what you went through, but I'm so glad you're okay now. Keep making videos Simon, they have helped a lot of people including me :)
I really enjoyed this video Simon, I'm so pleased to here that everything has worked out very well for you in the end! I'm watching this while in the middle of my first year exams at the university of Warwick, and my home is quite local to you in Taunton! :) great job Simon, I could keep watching your exam videos over and over again :)
Hi Simon I'm a high school student originally from the UK but who now lives in the US and found your vids bc of my interest in applying to Oxford. I suffered from very severe depression last year and what you said really touched me. I think it's very rare for men especially to talk about these issues bc it may be seen as being weak and I really appreciate you doing. Know that you really touched me and I'm sure a lot of other people too. Don't forget your awesome
Dont worry Simon .Everyone goes through tough times.You did more than great and overcame the difficulties. Congrats on being the person you are and continue this way.
I do not usually comment, but I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you and the person you have become. You are an amazing inspiration to everyone and I am a very lucky pea
Jennifer Hart
Simon you are a true inspiration! Thank you for taking the time and making all these videos :)
I just watched your "Week as a PhD Student" video and I thought, gee this guy really has it all together but this video has been the most relatable Draw My Life I've seen so far. Great to see how you've achieved do much despite the challenges you've encountered.
Thank you. I'm at first semester of physics and it just destroyed myself and my head with all the insecurity and fear of not being good enough. It's just like you described, you don't know why but you feel like crap. I've been working on myself and my well being but it is just a constant fight for I never have had good study habits nor I liked work at all. Now that I want to get better and work and be good, it just seems impossible to get over my habits and just turns into a cluster of self-hatred thoughts for I can't seem to overcome myself.
I'm getting better, but listening to someone who seems to have a good load of interests in common (music, physics, etc) having problems too helps keeping the head up and not giving up.
Thank lots yourself, for making such wonderful and informative plus inspiring videos. I first watched your videos in grade 11, which is year 11 in UK (I think - Canada here!) and was determined to apply to oxford but that desire fell and applied to most reputed university here, University of Toronto. I wasn't offered admission in 2015, so I took a gap year to work and study part-time and applied again for this fall. Now I am here in my dorm, writing this comment to you in my first year (2016), with Exams for first semester next week, starting with Physics on Friday! Ahh! Wish me luck!
Anyhow, I still have dreams of Oxford and I hope to be here by either an internship or a course abroad or for a phD like you, for what program I do not know yet. But the journey is exciting for me too!
All in all, thank you for being who are and keep vloging and making superb videos!
I didn't study physics at A -level nor do I do a degree related to physics , btw I am a second year children's nursing student. But after watching your day in the life video, which I stumbled across when I was trying to find motivational videos that would inspire me to revise for my A - level. I have been hooked to your CZcams channel , you have an amazing work ethic and personality and I wish you all the best with your PHD :) x
I totally agree on the part you stated about wanting to find out more about student life at other university's as well as masters/PhD life. Before coming to Kings College London to start my masters, I was incredibly nervous and wanted to find out as much as possible but little came up. I was worried about 'academic isolation' and the transition from undergrad to post, as a lot of social events and societies are aimed at undergrad students. I'm also someone who puts a lot into their work and stresses themselves to a point that I become ill and loose out on achieving. Your PhD 'day in the life' video's have made me feel a lot better, and that PhD can be somewhat just like attending university on lower levels and not socially isolating. So thank you! :)
You're such an inspiration Simon! There's no doubt that I wouldn't be at Oxford if I hadn't started watching your videos and you've definitely revolutionised access work on a massive, massive scale. It's really horrible that you had to go through all that stuff but I'm really glad that you're happier now. If things like that ever start to rear their head again just remember how many lives you've changed!
Izzy :)
Isobel Gordon Thank you so much for this! It's difficult to gauge what kind of impact I've had on Oxford access from afar, but just hearing that people like yourself have benefited from my videos makes all the difference. It's exactly why I started this channel, and Oxvlog, and it makes me so happy to hear that it is happening :)
Isobel Gordon Also congratulations on getting in!
SimonOxfPhys It definitely is happening, loads of other freshers who I've spoken to here have talked about how you and especially Oxvlog really helped them when they were applying, especially people who might not have been so well off back at home or went to state schools. Thanks so much for everything :)
Isobel Gordon you have no idea how happy hearing that makes me! Personally I'm still waiting on that request for an interview from the OxStu - THEN I will have made an impact :P
I actually didn't know you went through so much during your time at Oxford. What a legend you are to be able to get through everything and pursue on to do a PhD. Well done Simon, this video was truly inspirational and touching :)
What really hit me was what you said about hobbies. I truly do need to get one. I find that I study much more effectively and am able to learn so much more when I'm not constantly thinking about school. And it makes me feel happy (which is really the key point). Thank you again :)
Wow.. U hv left me speechless.. I thot u were going aces all through ur life till you had that phase , which seemed inexplicable why a stalwart like you would hv them..
But the way you handled it and came back on top was very encouraging and ur quiet brave to share ur experience ...which may be different to others but knowing that u made it will give tht someone somewhere (like me) the hope to conquer their depressions ..
I too am pursuing physics so I related a bit more..(although m not doing as well as u are)
This was simply amazing and heartfelt ..Simon thank you for sharing it..
Wish the best for ur future endeavours .:)
Very inspirational video! Thank you for sharing your story. It will really help other people.
Also thank you for your role in creating OxVlog. OxVlog has rekindled my rather faded interest in academia. I struggled with adjustment and feelings of depression early in my American college experience. My issues were mainly related to being closeted (in denial) and being separated from the fist guy I fell in love with as well as all of my high school friends. It was hard for me to find anything to fill the emptiness. Nothing seemed substantial. I eventually dropped out of college. Fortunately I did manage to maintain my passion for programming and still got a good job based on my ability. I may never go back to college, but the art of learning and communicating ideas really interests me.
As painful as my journey was, it shaped me into the person I am. I found myself in the end and have been actively working to build a life I want to have. I value my crisis of self.
Thank you for making a difference in the world!
Perspectologist I'm very sorry to hear of all the hardship that you've had to endure - it's shown a huge amount of integrity to pull through and still do something that you love at the end of it. I also completely empathise with the point you make about shaping yourself into the person you are today - despite all the painful things which have happened to me, I choose to view them with gratitude as without them I wouldn't be where I am today.
And I'm very glad that OxVlog has in some way contributed to your current happiness :)
Stress is horrid. I was consumed with it last school year and I fell into the same blackhole you did.
You're such an inspiration Simon. And you're lovely. And I can tell you work out. All the love
Simon, this is a wonderful video! Thank you so much for making it :) I had a similar experience whilst trying to complete my final project as a student. Watching this has made me think about how very different the situation looks and feels when I am the person involved compared to when someone else is the person involved. Learning about another person's experience is like putting on glasses that enable me to view my own experience from a very different - and much less self-critical - perspective. 'Thank you' seems hopelessly inadequate...
Also, second lesson learnt: I definitely need to do more stuff alongside work! My life is so much like you said yours used to be in this respect and, you're absolutely right, it is not time-efficient at all!
P.S. Your portraits of the Oxvloggers made me smile a lot :)
Kendra Johnson It's all a matter of perspective! We're all just a bunch of film cameras roving through the world, and some people have much wider lenses than others. Very important to frame everything you do and think in the context of the broader world. And you are very welcome :)
your life story is such a huge inspiration to us 😄 thank u so much for sharing it with that much of honesty 👏 u are amazing and u should be proud of yourself 😁
Thank you for the video and for being so honest - I could relate to a lot of it. You are such an amazing and inspiring person, please don't forget that :)
I accidently stumbled across your videos whilst researching possible places I could study physics at university, what the courses entail etc. as for the last few years this subject has been my main passion. Upon watching this I was surprised to see that you attended the same secondary school as me and obtained similar GCSE results (I'm currently studying for AS exams). It was a huge boost to my confidence to see someone from the same area make it to the standard of study that you have and prove that it's possible to achieve such a feat, as I was seriously doubting my capabilities to further my studies on the subject I truly enjoy. So for that, thank you!
Nye Ellis Woo Wellsway!! Tell Mr Taylor and Mr Spicer I say hi. It absolutely is possible to do the things that I've done - the only barriers to reaching the same educational level are in your mind. There's a saying that I really like, that we're 'all prisoners of our previous reference points' - as soon as you realise that something is possible, it becomes possible for you. So go out there and give everything you've got, and continue your studies! You'll be joining me soon :)
its a huge misconception that only if you have a degree you're smart. there are many people nowadays who have a degree and are stupid af
~80% of graduates aren´t imo
Kris Alcantara well it always depends on your definition of intelligence
I even know plenty of people with a PhD who aren't smart - book smart, maybe, but they know nothing about real life, and the really intellectually smart ones often lack proper social skills! I feel intelligence is more than just being able to study at uni successfully.
germankiwigal yes. But having good social skills can also be a kind of intelligence. I know a guy who had only bad grades in school, but was very empathic and honest personality.
There’s also those people who see those who aren’t in school trying to learn from online or books, then say that they don’t have credibility because they’re not attending a school building...then use the same methods to try and force everything into their brains before every single test and forget about them later
I heard you talk about coming from Bristol in one of your Phd vlogs, and the more and more i watched this video, the more surprised i was. I actually went to the same secondary school as you, for my sixth form, although a couple of years behind, really amazing knowing how small the world can be sometimes. I can definitely say that Wellsway has made who i am today and has turned me into a better person. Keep doing what you do man!
This is inspiring! Panic attacks suck & ever since I've started having panic attacks in the last year, I've always felt broken and weak. But your video has made me take things into perspective. Thank you for this! Love watching your videos & looking forward to more videos from you, Simon. Sending love from Malaysia 😊
Anishametra It really sucks, but it's possible to move forward. Just remember that you are not weak! Your strength is determined by you - so it's important that you start believing that you are strong. Because if you don't start believing that, other people won't either. So start believing in your own potential, and realise how amazing you are :)
Buddy I also tackled 4th Year of Physics & under similar circumstances (legitimately considered dropping out with 4 months to go!) - kudos to powering through.
For start of my turnaround I happening to be listening to an audiobook about the Brain that covered a section on cortisol (the stress hormone). It wasn't a self-help book but it advised to "take back control", just reading/listening this gave me permission to do so, and that morning I told my supervisor that I wasn't going to hand in/present that week's work on time, took a train home and had a care-free nap. Fortunately the supervisor was awesome and completely understood.
As someone who's feeling pretty down in their undergrad, you're really inspiring me to keep going Simon! Thank you! :))
One of the things that stuck to me from this video is how you talked about having diverse interests..Throughout your childhood it seems you had many passions and later on you chose to kind of focus on physics and understood how much you loved it at uni..Having a lot of passions though is still a sort of problem for me,as in I love having many passions,but I end up feeling that I would want to pursue all of them,but do not have time to do so..And whenever I chose to focus on one,I also asked myself: well,what about the other ones?you can't ignore them,you love them :) I am still trying to reach that sort of balance where I can enjoy many things,and not just one..Because it's all just so interesting..anyway, I was curious,did anyone in your class in school(and I mean all school years) ever make you feel bad about being curious about things and about asking teachers many questions? I know from personal experience that it's kinda awful XD
Finally!!! :D
I have waited for so long,,ahaha~~
Really thank you for sharing your experience in uni! Everything that you have gone through shapes you the person you are today, so proud of you!
Thank you so much for sharing this, I've just found solutions to few problems I deal with. Thank you Simon and wish you the best.
Hey :)
Nice video the content was informative and some aspects very re-assuring.
I can really empathise with you with respect to the challenges you've faced between the balance of academia and outside life; there always seems to be a pressure to succeed in some form ( in my case to get 3 As at a level for medicine) with aim to gratify others or not feel ashamed of yourself.
Your video has opened my eyes to see that despite weaknesses in certain aspects of your life which hold back your personal goals is that you shouldn't give up after a trip on the 1st hurdle, but to instead see failure as a way for improvement.
Thank you.
What a great video! Studying at Oxford University has been a goal of mine since I was 12 years old. But I feel that I have too have A s on everything which I don't. I'm just going to be so disappointed if I fail at the only one thing that really matters. So I began searching and found you. You have been such an inspiration. Thank u for your videos and keep on doing them!
Up and Down is real. I can feel it dude.. It must be one of the hardest life moment for you. But see. now you are Simon Clark, Ph.D. You are the inspiration. :)
Oh wow Simon I can relate! How did I only find this now?
I actually graduated in engineering from Cambridge 2 years back, but similar to you suffered from extreme stress and depression in my final year. I couldn't talk to anyone about it and felt too proud to show weakness in front of my high-flying friends - it just made me hate academia, work and life in general. Things are a bit better now and hey it's given me reason to pursue a PhD in AI and Mental Health so that's something.
Glad to see you're doing better, hopefully I will be too!
Hi Simon, thanks for sharing your story. I just finished my MMath at Durham and against all odds, secured a PhD (in Norway)! Never quite imagined the day I'd follow a vlog, but yours is relatable (as well as having its very own charm) and somehow makes me feel less disconnected from other people studying math phys. It's great to follow your trajectory. Cheers, and good luck with the thesis - rooting for you
Simon, thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm glad you are in a happy place now. I understand your struggles first hand. Well done for letting others know that it is ok to not be ok. Xxx
Kinda speechless! But I thinks fair to say you truly deserve all the successes and achievements to come your way & that have already :D
Thank you for being honest and brave enough to share your weaknesses with the online community! It made me realise it is my pride that prevents me from acknowledging the problems and asking for help.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and being truly honest about it. really inspiring!!
As a prospective mature student at Oxford (21 next year) I know only too well how much stress can ruin you.. Academic life in Germany was hard, most of my family died and my mum is in poor health too.. Couple that with 100% disability and autism, and you have a recipe for disaster.
I still did fairly well in Germany (equivalent of A-B) with a 2,3 GPA, but I went on a complete meltdown that I am still recovering from.
It is only now, after speaking with tutors and researching, watching inspirational videos such as yours that I finally developed the courage to apply to Oxford as a mature student.. Lots of inspirational people with situations far worse than mine accomplished it, so why not me?
Thank you Simon for encouraging me on this path :)
Your story is really inspirational, you've achieved so much 💫
You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing yourself with us! :)
Oh my god Simon :( taking care of youself truly is an underrated skill. Took me 4 years and countless relapses to get a grasp. Take care
Man, as soon as I saw the depression part it reminded me of my third year at university where I got psychosis for a year. I was studying Geology and Physics and like you, all I did was one extra-cirricular and all the other time was spent on studying.
I’ve experienced extreme exam anxiety before and it felt really terrible so I can definitely relate. I cannot stress the importance of having balance in your life and not revolving your whole life around revision only. There is more to life. As soon as you begin to leave time for other things in your day you will become healthier mentally and you will work more efficiently. Even if it’s just going for a long walk and appreciating the present moment as you do so (stop thinking about exams), that helps so much!! I strongly believe this as I have experienced this myself.
You have such a beautiful life. =) Please don's stop producing videos. U inspired me, really much...
Really interesting video Simon, I admire your honesty, thank you for sharing your life with us!
This is so inspirational. you remained me so much of me and this video just pushes me to work more and get into Ivy league.
Finally!I've waited for this for ages!It's great!
Crazy inspirational video, thank you for uploading you're awesome :3
You are so inspiring. Honestly. Legit inspiration here.
Thanks for the heartfelt sharing Simon!! Keep up the all good work!!!! God bless =)
Jeez stop overachieving :D. Incredible life story, real inspiration.
ngl this drives me to study and try my hardest as well as doing things i love. thank you for the encouragement :))
hey Simon, I don't think if you remember but during the start of the school year, I asked you for studying advice for Physics as I was scared out of my mind. Well, I'm here to tell you that I took your advice and PRACTICED PRACTICED PRACTICED...as a result, I knocked the course out of the park and got accepted to 4 different unis for computer science! Thank you!
Loved the video. Honestly, you can do both (Academia and media), it reminds Brian Cox.
One of the best things we can do in our lives is to find the place it belongs to us, like Exeter for you. Keep making videos!
Thanks so much for sharing your story :) really inspiring and motivational for me and many others out there!!! I just recently joined upper secondary and it may seem like a long way to go before uni but time does fly, and before you know you'll be graduating....kinda scary when you think of it :3
KixP3 it does fly, trust me! Doesn't feel all that long ago that I left school :3
It's both an amazing yet scary thing how fast you really progress through life :) Thanks again for the video!
Thanks for sharing your story. Lots to learn from!
You are such an inspiration, so glad that I have found you!
I just started watching this and I'm finding so many strange similarities - I also went to a public school, got the same set of GCSE grades as you, also did both geography and history despite school's protests, am doing 3 of the same A-Levels and am applying to 4 of the same universities as you did (albeit, for Maths not for Physics). Thanks for giving me some hope that getting into Oxford might just be possible yet!
this is so important to me because it's made me realise that even the super clever people who go to oxford and do phds have that period of just not being able to deal with things and become absolute messes and I needed to know that because it means I'm not completely mad and I don't have to be coping perfectly all the time and yeah thank you :))))))
Just realized it was your birthday last week!! Happy belated birthday!
Thank you for this video, I really needed this right now! Currently doing my master's and I have an essay due.... tomorrow. And I have never been so demotivated about an essay in my entire life, I just can't do it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has struggled :)