Returning to University

University students have lapped up the final days of their summer holiday and are straight back to hitting the books this month. As a recent graduate from a three year degree, I have a pretty decent idea of how to start yourself off in the best position for a new year at uni, guaranteed to get your head back into the studying game.

First of all, you need to try and find something that will get you excited about studying and taking notes. For me, it was all about how I put the information onto paper. Get yourself some good stationary so you’re excited to use it – and if you’re a fan of getting creative, throw some coloured highlighters and gel pens in the mix to make your notes all the more stimulating. There is nothing wrong with using a laptop to take notes, but I always found that putting pen to paper made the information absorb so much more. I used to take my laptop into lectures and then rewrite the most important points in an exercise book after class, just to really reiterate what I’d learned.

Plan your week with your class timetable and other commitments such as part-time work or extra-curriculars. Once you’ve got all the basics down, sort out some of your free time each week that you will always use to sit down and work on assignments, readings, or completing course work. Make sure you have plenty of time to wind down too though; it’s important not to pack too much into your schedule so you don’t feel like you’re burning out.

On a larger scale, get a yearly calendar for your studying space in the first week and mark out all your due dates for the rest of the semester. This will give you a clear picture of how to plan your time for each assignment. If you want to be extra organised, divide each assignment into four-six weeks of work as early as you can. From this you can determine when you need to have a solid plan by, when to have all your research done, and then split the remaining time into working towards finishing your tasks. Essays are best completed when you write about 200 words per day ,and then have a couple days spare to tidy up your final draft before handing it in. Sticking to a plan like this means you’re always aware of how much work needs to be done and when, and limits the chance of you having your head in your hands the night before, struggling to hand it in on time.

One thing that really worked when I had lots to get done, was studying in a place away from home. I’ve always found that having a separate space to get in the zone makes working so much easier. This can be at the library, a study room on campus, or even a local café if you work well with a little background noise. Pick a place early on so you can head there when you start to feel uninspired in your usual study spot.

Most importantly, as a uni student you need to remember to look after yourself. It can get super-stressful and overwhelming when you have everything due at once, and sometimes it feels like you can’t get a grasp on things. Make sure you’re looking after your own wellbeing first. This starts with a really good exercise, healthy eating, and sleeping routine. We’ve all heard this tip before, but it really does make all the difference.

Exercising doesn’t have to be difficult either; you can incorporate it into your daily activities. I used to get off the bus at the bottom of Queen Street rather than stopping right outside uni, just so I could squeeze in a ten-minute walk before I got to class. It’s also super-important to know where all the best and cheapest healthy food is available while you’re on campus. Even better, get into a routine of making lunch and bringing it in rather than falling into the habits that most of us students eventually do when we find it easier to buy lunch every day.

Sleeping right really does make you work better too. I never quite got to the stage of pulling all-nighters to get things done, but I’ve heard all the horror stories from my friends. Stick to those plans I mentioned earlier so you don’t become a serial procrastinator, and make sure you are getting enough sleep every night so your brain can work at its best.

So stay organised, plan ahead, and look after yourself to get the best out of your student lifestyle. A coffee or two for those early morning lectures never hurts either!