Second Year Advice/Tips?

Hi all. I'm looking for some tips going into my 2nd year at uni. I am an English student but I'm open to advice from any discipline.

For context on which class I'm currently working at:
In the Autumn semester of 1st year, I finished with about 72. In Spring Semester, it was much lower because one of my modules randomly got a 56 despite having 1 to 1 workshops on my work with my lecturer. His contract was terminated with the university so I can't even ask about it.

Any tips on revising 1st year info, organisation, essay planning etc. would be very much appreciated!

In the Autumn semester of 1st year, I finished with about 72.
Congrats

In Spring Semester, it was much lower because one of my modules randomly got a 56 despite having 1 to 1 workshops on my work with my lecturer.
That sucks

I don't do (nor have I done) English, but if you're looking for general advice:

Hi all. I'm looking for some tips going into my 2nd year at uni. I am an English student but I'm open to advice from any discipline.

For context on which class I'm currently working at:
In the Autumn semester of 1st year, I finished with about 72. In Spring Semester, it was much lower because one of my modules randomly got a 56 despite having 1 to 1 workshops on my work with my lecturer. His contract was terminated with the university so I can't even ask about it.

Any tips on revising 1st year info, organisation, essay planning etc. would be very much appreciated!

Hey!

You've received some really great & thorough advice and I agree with everything that was said above I personally didn't do English either but hopefully can help as well!

Just wanted to add a few things that may be helpful for second/third year:
- Create separate to-do lists for each module (this sounds really simple but really helped me stay on track rather than having one big jumbled one - I personally used Todoist in my second and third year and it helped me to become so organised and know exactly what I needed to do)

- Start making revision materials/essay plans now & as you go through the second year (even after every class if you can, can be time consuming but so worth it)

- Create a traffic light system for different modules, i.e. colour code each module on a spreadsheet as to whether it's green (you know it well), amber (you know it, but probably should go over it) and red (need to go over it) and keep updating it monthly or weekly as you go towards exam season. This helped me stay on track with what modules needed the most work and helped me avoid revising the same things over and over again!

- Treat uni almost as your 9-5 job - this may not work for everyone but personally worked for me as I was living off-campus and am really bad at time management (still working on this now doing my PhD) : I found treating uni as a 9-5 made me manage my time so much better, i.e. being on campus all day, being at the library doing work when not in lectures etc. (I always had breaks & obviously didn't do this 5 days a week as that's probably a bit intense but whatever days I was at uni, I would make sure to get there for 9 and stay until the end of the day and do work)

Hope this helps & best of luck with second year!!

Natalie
University of Kent Student Rep

Thanks for adding more!

I also stay off-campus and in my first year I was always so quick to rush home just to lie in bed and do nothing, so I will definitely take your advice onboard! I'm motivated to leaving excuses behind and giving uni a proper try this time.

I was thinking of writing a short essay every week to hone my academic writing skills but I wasn't sure if it would actually make a difference in practice. Since it's quite similar to your second tip, could you provide any benefits you've seen from doing that? For context, my course doesn't have any traditional exams, just coursework and portfolios of essays (if that changes anything).