How you can take control and get organised
It’s no secret that student life can be a little hectic. Juggling a social life with deadlines and the struggles of living independently is a time consuming and often exhausting process.
Without proper preparation, assessment period can be particularly stressful. I was certainly taught the value of self-organisation when submitting an essay with shaking hands at 4AM, after a twelve-hour caffeine-fuelled session in Laidlaw.
To help you avoid the mistakes I made, I’ve put together a list of my top tips for getting organised.
1. Manage your time
Effective time management will prevent any last-minute rushes and give you more spare time. Using a paper diary to write down my commitments, deadlines, and notes in a single space made tackling my workload a lot easier.
Your diary will be useful for referring to important information. Writing will also help you better understand and remember your notes.
You can transfer information from your notebook to an online calendar, allowing you to plan your days more effectively.
2. Make to-do lists
When I felt overwhelmed by my studies in second year, I used to-do lists to break down my tasks into more manageable chunks.
I list everything I want to achieve for the week ahead in my diary, then work through the tasks, ticking and crossing to indicate what I’ve completed and what still has to be done. You can also use online tools to keep track of lists.
Writing to-do lists will offload stress by simplifying the steps you need to take to complete your work. Not to mention, the therapeutic value of ticking off your ‘to-do’s’ will give you a well-deserved dopamine hit during your study sessions.
3. Find your flow
Everyone’s working style is different, so it’s important to find the approach that suits you best. Consider your:
· Environment — Is there a particular library you like to study in, or do you work best from home? Here’s a guide to some hidden study spots around campus.
· Time — What time of day are you most productive? Can you focus for hours at a time, or in short bursts?
· Style — Like to plan every detail of your work, or make it up as you go along? Enjoy studying with friends, or alone?
· Noise – Find that music helps you focus? For me, ambient and lo-fi are the best genres for studying along to.
4. Be kind to yourself
Under the pressure of deadlines, I found myself spending all my time working on my assessments (I wouldn’t recommend this). To look after your wellbeing, make time for the things you enjoy — whether it’s watching TV, reading or going out with mates (but make sure that FOMO doesn’t get in the way of your me-time!)
Regular exercise and healthy eating are also important. Though it’s tempting to live off meal deals and takeaways during assessments, bulk cooking cheap and healthy meals will do your mind, body and finances a massive favour.
Sometimes things don’t go to plan. If events outside of your control are affecting your work, you can apply for extensions or mitigating circumstances.
If you’re struggling with anything during your time at university, get in touch with the Student Information Service. The SIS can answer your questions and connect you to the right people to help.
Written by Tom — Student Communications Intern and third year student.
