University Studying

•

Plan your days so that you have dedicated time to study. This is important because you have a lot more unscheduled time than when completing A Levels so it is important that you make the most of it! I find that I am more productive when I leave my house to study so will sometimes go to a library or a study space on campus.

•

Make notes as you are reading. I usually use OneNotes to help keep my notes organised so that I can divide them into different sections which makes it easy to refer back to when writing an assignment.

•

Complete all pre and post session work as this is sometimes designed to support you with completing an assignment. Also, I would really recommend focusing and engaging in your lectures as this will help you to get the most out of them.

•

Plan in advance - It is important to start thinking about your assignments and exams well before the deadline. I would recommend to start preparing for your assignments and exams as early as possible. Personally, I found it useful to plan my assignments as soon as the professor announces the topic and work on it for a few hours every week. This helps avoid last minute stress and anxiety. Consider breaking your work into mini tasks and setting regular deadlines.

•

Use library resources - Library is much more than just books! We have access to a range of online journals, articles, books, and databases that can help you take your assignment to the next level. The library resources really helped me find useful references and quotes when I was struggling to find some.

•

Calendar - Personally, I found using a planner diary and a digital calendar very helpful to keep a track of my lectures, assignments, exams, self-study and part-time jobs.

•

Don't be afraid to ask for help - There are plenty of academic support services available to you as a student here, like the academic skills hub, EAP courses, and specific subject based support services. It's also always a good idea to attend office hours with your professors and discuss your questions and thoughts with them.

•

Always proofread - I usually try to proofread my coursework at least twice before I submit it, and I always end up making edits along the way. Try to finish your assignment in advance so that you have enough time to proofread and edit.

•

Get a calendar - Plan your time out and it helps you to understand when deadlines are etc.

•

Study in small, regular chunks - this will help to ensure successful active recall

•

Start early! - Helps to reduce stress.

•

Be organised - keep a google calendar and organise your free slots into study time for each module you take so you can keep up with them all equally.

•

Have a good system for note taking and making - I made all my notes on the 'notes' sections below my lecturer's powerpoints, then wrote them up into posters by hand for revision, then organised them into a few folders.

•

Don't let yourself burn out - take time to do things you enjoy, don't stay at your desk/screen for too long at once, eat well, join a society, work part-time, and take time to see friends and look after your wellbeing - there is so much more to uni than just your course - embrace something new!

•

Past papers - they're great for revision.

•

Teach someone else your content - this might sound daft, but one of the best ways to understand a topic yourself is to teach it/talk about it to someone else - a parent, a friend, a coursemate. That's why group study sessions are so helpful!

•

Be vocal if you're struggling. Your lecturers all want you to do well and are there to help. Use them, and don't struggle in silence. There is no expectation for you to manage your course on your own.