How do I stay on top of everything in uni?
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Reply 1
First of all, it’s completely normal to feel this way — the jump to university can be a big adjustment. Remember, university is about learning how to learn, not just keeping up with tasks.
If you ever feel unsure about how much time to spend on readings or lectures, consider booking a one-to-one meeting with your module or personal tutor. They can help you prioritise what’s most important. Building these connections early on is also really helpful later when you need references.
When it comes to your reading list, don’t feel pressured to read everything cover to cover. Reading lists are usually divided into essential and recommended readings — focus on the essential ones first.
•
For books, start with the table of contents and select chapters most relevant to your lectures or assignments.
•
For journal articles, skim the abstract, introduction, and conclusion to decide if they’re worth reading in full.
•
Including a mix of sources in your work is better than referencing one book in detail.
For note-taking, try to avoid copying lecture slides word-for-word — it can feel productive but doesn’t always help with long-term understanding. Instead:
•
Download lecture slides before class and add your own notes during the session.
•
If you prefer handwriting, print slides three per page, leaving space for comments.
•
Use OneNote to organise notes by module or week — and upload photos of handwritten notes as a digital backup.
You should have free access to Microsoft Office apps — including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook — through your university account.
Here are some short blogs that might help with organisation and study-life balance — feel free to try out a few of these ideas; there’s no pressure to follow everything.
Organisation tips for uni - what has helped me: https://link.unibuddy.co/unibuddy/9mS4dWp9vU5zCVPy9
Things I wish I knew when starting uni: https://link.unibuddy.co/unibuddy/68cee43481fb6f64a355efd8
It might take a little time to adjust, but that’s completely okay. Try setting small, realistic daily goals and include time to rest — breaks are just as important for productivity as studying. Remember, finding your ideal study routine often takes some trial and error.
Best of luck with university — you’ve got this! 😊
Megan (LJMU Rep)
Reply 2
First of all, it’s completely normal to feel this way — the jump to university can be a big adjustment. Remember, university is about learning how to learn, not just keeping up with tasks.
If you ever feel unsure about how much time to spend on readings or lectures, consider booking a one-to-one meeting with your module or personal tutor. They can help you prioritise what’s most important. Building these connections early on is also really helpful later when you need references.
When it comes to your reading list, don’t feel pressured to read everything cover to cover. Reading lists are usually divided into essential and recommended readings — focus on the essential ones first.
•
For books, start with the table of contents and select chapters most relevant to your lectures or assignments.
•
For journal articles, skim the abstract, introduction, and conclusion to decide if they’re worth reading in full.
•
Including a mix of sources in your work is better than referencing one book in detail.
•
Download lecture slides before class and add your own notes during the session.
•
If you prefer handwriting, print slides three per page, leaving space for comments.
•
Use OneNote to organise notes by module or week — and upload photos of handwritten notes as a digital backup.
Here are some short blogs that might help with organisation and study-life balance — feel free to try out a few of these ideas; there’s no pressure to follow everything.
Organisation tips for uni - what has helped me: https://link.unibuddy.co/unibuddy/9mS4dWp9vU5zCVPy9
Things I wish I knew when starting uni: https://link.unibuddy.co/unibuddy/68cee43481fb6f64a355efd8
It might take a little time to adjust, but that’s completely okay. Try setting small, realistic daily goals and include time to rest — breaks are just as important for productivity as studying. Remember, finding your ideal study routine often takes some trial and error.
Best of luck with university — you’ve got this! 😊
Megan (LJMU Rep)
Thank you so much! This is actually helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a long and informative post 😭.
But I can't seem to access the links you included. I tried making an account in the Uni Buddy app but it still doesn't work.
Reply 3
But I can't seem to access the links you included. I tried making an account in the Uni Buddy app but it still doesn't work.
No problem at all — glad I could help! Thanks for flagging the links, I’ll look into those. I’ve copied the blogs into the chat instead. A few of the tips might be more Liverpool or dissertation-related, but most are useful for everyone. They’re written by other LJMU students — so credit goes to them, not me! - Megan (LJMU Rep)
Organisation tips for uni - what has helped me!
Uni life can be overwhelming, but mastering organisation will make everything a LOT easier – these are some tips that helped me stay organised at uni and ultimately helping me graduate with a first!!
1. Use a planner
•
Either paper or digital – write down your uni lecture schedule, any assignment deadlines, society events, daily plans etc to help you stay on top of things
•
I personally prefer carrying a physical planner with me as I can actually write things down to better remember, and it feels more rewarding being able to actually tick things off once they are done!
•
Some may prefer a digital calendar though as they can send reminders to your phone – a lot of people use their uni outlook calendar, or apps like timetree
•
I tend to find that writing every small task down in my planner really helps me stay organised, and I plan things a week ahead
•
Include any study sessions you plan on doing (whether solo or with friends), when/if you plan on going to the gym, and also PLAN RELAXATION TIME!!
•
Make sure you actively set aside time each day for relaxation – down time will be the thing that really stops you from burning out at uni, so it’s important to plan it into your day – if you’ve written it down then you’re more likely to do it!
•
The best thing about a to-do list is the satisfaction of crossing things off once finished
•
I mainly use to-do lists if I’m working on multiple assignments at once, or if I’m doing housework
•
You can always write these on a scrap bit of paper or in your planner, or also digitally – notion is a really good one for this, or even just your phone’s notes app!
•
Even though I prefer having a paper planner, I highly recommend making all of your uni work digital – either use a laptop or a tablet/ipad to make your lecture notes (if possible), as they are far easier to organise into files – I split mine into folders in the order:
•
Year > semester > module name > lecture name
•
As well, digital notes make it easy to go back into and add things from any extra reading you might do or any answers to questions you’ve had etc
•
Prepare for the worst case scenario – I know somebody who’s dissertation file corrupted a month before it was due and that was the only copy they had!!
•
Store all of your files in your university account’s one drive, and also save back-ups either to your laptop/PC, or onto a USB so you can access your work anywhere
•
I have always found that breaking larger tasks into smaller bitesize chunks are so much easier!
•
If you have a large assignment – let’s use a report for example – split your report into their headings
•
Intro > Materials > Methods > Results > Discussion > Conclusion
•
Split these headings into subheadings, making it clear what you will be discussing under each smaller section
•
Then, either focus on writing one ‘subheading bloc’ at a time, or divide your time into number of words – for example, you will keep working until you have written 200 words and then have a break
•
This means you aren’t mindlessly writing with no clear stopping point, so you will be less likely to lose motivation and to put things off
•
Set focus times when you are doing uni work, where your phone is on do not disturb and there are limited distractions
•
I use an app called flora – it’s where you can grow a little flower if you don’t use your phone for the time you set for focusing – it really helped me to stop just checking my phone every couple of minutes
•
Set times that suit your productivity level best – I find that I can’t focus for hours on end, so I use something similar to the pomodoro method where I have 30 mins of focus time followed by a 10 minute break and then start the cycle. Some people can focus for up to 2 hours without needing a break, so set your own focus goals relevant to you – if you don’t know how you work best, you will soon find out after starting uni!
•
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep – it is too easy to pull the all nighter in the library, or stay out in town all night, but if you’re too tired then it’s easier to burn out and lose all motivation
•
Plan exercise into your week, whether it be going to the gym or going for a long walk, it will help in the long run
•
Try and eat healthily, even when deadlines are approaching – it seems most convenient to order food or just snack on things when trying to finish an assignment, but eating healthier will make you feel better and more clear headed, as well as improving your concentration and ultimately your productivity
•
Plan times to be social as well! It is really important to realise that you need to be taking breaks from all the uni work – make plans with coursemates or flatmates and don’t talk about uni work at all whilst you’re out – give your brain a rest every once in a while <3
Reply 4
Things I wish I knew when starting Uni
Starting uni is honestly such a whirlwind. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and a bit scary – especially when you’re in a new city and/or far from home. As someone who’s been through the freshers experience, here are a few bits of wisdom I wish someone had shared with me so I didn’t have to figure it out on my own!
1. Don’t rush to join/do everything
Uni life can feel like a race to join as many societies and activities, especially when you’ve been to freshers fair and seen every different society there is to offer. There’s nothing wrong with signing up for multiple, but don’t feel pressured to join everything that comes your way. You’ll end up spreading yourself way too thin.
In the coming weeks after freshers, most sports teams and societies do free trial events, where you don’t have to become a member to go. I’d recommend attending as many as these sessions as you like and then decide which sports/ societies you would like to join from that, rather than paying for memberships for lots of societies and then not enjoying them.
Take your time to explore and choose things that genuinely interest you. Whether it's sports, music, drama, an academic society for your course - focus on the activities that will bring you the most joy, and allow you to make meaningful connections.
2. The library is your friend (at all times of year)
When I first started, I thought the library was a place I only needed to visit when exams/deadlines were around the corner. I learned very quickly that I struggle to do all my lecture notes/readings in my bedroom. The library/somewhere on campus helped me get into the zone and properly lock in on the work I needed to do, without getting distracted so much. Plus, it’s a great to meet up with some others on your course working on the same assignments/modules.
As well, being in the libraries, you’ll be able to access any textbooks you need almost instantly. Take advantage of the study rooms you can book as well – they’re great for group projects or focused study sessions!
3. You might not stay friends with everyone you meet in the first few weeks (and that’s okay/normal!)
Uni is a huge, diverse place, and it can feel like everyone is making new friends while you’re still trying to find your group. It’s really likely that the first few people you meet and talk to won’t be your forever friends, and that is so okay! You might naturally drift apart from the people you first speak to as everyone learns more about each other and you build deeper connections with each other.
I was lucky enough to stay friends with my first year flatmates and live with them for the full 3 years of my undergrad, but my course friends were completely different at the end of my degree compared to the start. The people who will become your closest friends are usually the ones you meet through shared interests/societies, late-night study sessions, or random conversations in the library or in labs.
4. Ask for help when you need it
It’s easy to feel like you should know everything – especially when you’re trying to fit into a new environment. But remember, everyone’s in the same boat. If you're struggling, whether it’s with coursework, homesickness, or even just navigating the city, don’t hesitate to ask for help. LJMU offers a range of support services, from academic tutoring to mental health support. If you’re unsure where to turn, start by talking to your personal tutor and they can signpost you to the right services. They are here to help you, but they won’t know to help unless you ask!
5. Explore the city early
Liverpool is a big city with a lot to offer, and as a newbie, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Take a walk around the city centre, get to know the shops, cafes, and restaurants in your neighbourhood, and discover your favourite spots. It’s a great way to get to know your flatmates, especially if you are all new to the city. Liverpool isn’t just about the main tourist attractions; the local areas and hidden gems are where you’ll really start to feel at home. A weekend visit to places like Sefton Park, the Baltic Triangle, or the Georgian Quarter will give you a good sense of what life outside uni is like!
6. Time management is your secret weapon
Uni life can be a balancing act, especially if you are working too. If you’re not already besties with time management, then now is the time to get introduced! Between lectures, assignments, part-time jobs, and social activities, it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Time management is a skill you’ll need a LOT of to develop to stay on top of things. Invest in a planner or use an app to organise important dates and deadlines. This makes everything way more manageable and avoids any last-minute stress. As well, try to start assignments as soon as you get given them, doing work little and often, rather than leaving it all to the final week or two!
7. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone
One of the best chunks of wisdom I can pass down is to say "yes" to new opportunities - even though that sounds like it goes against my first piece of advice! Whether it’s applying for an internship at uni, attending an event in the city you’d usually avoid, or being asked to assist with a uni event, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is how you grow, as well as gaining valuable experience that others might not have been offered. Uni is a safe space for trying new things, and you’ll find that the experiences you’re most hesitant about are often the most rewarding in the end!
8. Don’t compare your personal or academic journey to others
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other students, especially if someone in your class seems to already know the entire content of the lecture while you’re struggling to keep up. Someone might seem to have everything figured out, while you’re still trying to find your feet, but everyone’s journey will be different. Don’t worry if it takes you a little longer to adjust or if you haven’t figured out your career path in your first semester.
This is much easier said than done, believe me – especially when the first lot of grades are released! Uni isn’t just about getting a degree, it’s about personal growth, trying new things, and discovering what works for you. Focus on your own progress, and everything else will fall into place.
Reply 5
Organisation tips for uni - what has helped me!
Uni life can be overwhelming, but mastering organisation will make everything a LOT easier – these are some tips that helped me stay organised at uni and ultimately helping me graduate with a first!!
1. Use a planner
•
Either paper or digital – write down your uni lecture schedule, any assignment deadlines, society events, daily plans etc to help you stay on top of things
•
I personally prefer carrying a physical planner with me as I can actually write things down to better remember, and it feels more rewarding being able to actually tick things off once they are done!
•
Some may prefer a digital calendar though as they can send reminders to your phone – a lot of people use their uni outlook calendar, or apps like timetree
•
I tend to find that writing every small task down in my planner really helps me stay organised, and I plan things a week ahead
•
Include any study sessions you plan on doing (whether solo or with friends), when/if you plan on going to the gym, and also PLAN RELAXATION TIME!!
•
Make sure you actively set aside time each day for relaxation – down time will be the thing that really stops you from burning out at uni, so it’s important to plan it into your day – if you’ve written it down then you’re more likely to do it!
•
The best thing about a to-do list is the satisfaction of crossing things off once finished
•
I mainly use to-do lists if I’m working on multiple assignments at once, or if I’m doing housework
•
You can always write these on a scrap bit of paper or in your planner, or also digitally – notion is a really good one for this, or even just your phone’s notes app!
•
Even though I prefer having a paper planner, I highly recommend making all of your uni work digital – either use a laptop or a tablet/ipad to make your lecture notes (if possible), as they are far easier to organise into files – I split mine into folders in the order:
•
Year > semester > module name > lecture name
•
As well, digital notes make it easy to go back into and add things from any extra reading you might do or any answers to questions you’ve had etc
•
Prepare for the worst case scenario – I know somebody who’s dissertation file corrupted a month before it was due and that was the only copy they had!!
•
Store all of your files in your university account’s one drive, and also save back-ups either to your laptop/PC, or onto a USB so you can access your work anywhere
•
I have always found that breaking larger tasks into smaller bitesize chunks are so much easier!
•
If you have a large assignment – let’s use a report for example – split your report into their headings
•
Intro > Materials > Methods > Results > Discussion > Conclusion
•
Split these headings into subheadings, making it clear what you will be discussing under each smaller section
•
Then, either focus on writing one ‘subheading bloc’ at a time, or divide your time into number of words – for example, you will keep working until you have written 200 words and then have a break
•
This means you aren’t mindlessly writing with no clear stopping point, so you will be less likely to lose motivation and to put things off
•
Set focus times when you are doing uni work, where your phone is on do not disturb and there are limited distractions
•
I use an app called flora – it’s where you can grow a little flower if you don’t use your phone for the time you set for focusing – it really helped me to stop just checking my phone every couple of minutes
•
Set times that suit your productivity level best – I find that I can’t focus for hours on end, so I use something similar to the pomodoro method where I have 30 mins of focus time followed by a 10 minute break and then start the cycle. Some people can focus for up to 2 hours without needing a break, so set your own focus goals relevant to you – if you don’t know how you work best, you will soon find out after starting uni!
•
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep – it is too easy to pull the all nighter in the library, or stay out in town all night, but if you’re too tired then it’s easier to burn out and lose all motivation
•
Plan exercise into your week, whether it be going to the gym or going for a long walk, it will help in the long run
•
Try and eat healthily, even when deadlines are approaching – it seems most convenient to order food or just snack on things when trying to finish an assignment, but eating healthier will make you feel better and more clear headed, as well as improving your concentration and ultimately your productivity
•
Plan times to be social as well! It is really important to realise that you need to be taking breaks from all the uni work – make plans with coursemates or flatmates and don’t talk about uni work at all whilst you’re out – give your brain a rest every once in a while <3
OH. MY. GOD. This is incredible. I mean both blogs are so helpful I can't even explain. Thank you so much for copying both blogs. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a week to plan for!
Reply 6
Yay! I’m so glad those gave you some inspiration 🙂 Once you get into a routine that balances your study time with social time, things will start to feel a lot smoother. You’ll have both productive and not-so-productive days, and that’s totally normal—don’t be too hard on yourself! Wishing you all the best with uni! — Megan
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
6 hours a day should probably be minimally enough - you're expected to spend on average about 30-40 hours a week on full-time studies as a uni student so you're on the bottom end of that. Spending 1-2 hours more per day might not be unreasonable but you may also just need to look at being more efficient with your studies as you identify.
For notes, try and make notes in the lecture - you don't need to write everything verbatim but see what tends to be included in materials available after the lecture (e.g. slides) and what you genuinely miss by not being in the lecture - and focus on making notes on those bits! When reading textbooks and so on this is really to enhance your understanding and fill in gaps from the lectures. You don't need to read them cover to cover - be directed and discerning in what you read from them to target areas you didn't understand as well, try your hand at examples, or to fill in more detail for something that only a brief sketch was presented of in the lecture.
When you miss a lecture then you're realistically going to need to re-cover all the material from that, but if you are provided recordings remember you can watch them at accelerated time - usually I'd watch lecture recordings at 1.2x or 1.5x speed (depending on how fast the lecturers naturally spoke). This means you don't spend as long as in a physical lecture (and the natural gaps and pauses which are helpful in a real lecture to finish writing notes, are less useful when using a recording so you can speed through those faster).
A fairly reasonable approach honestly would be to just approach uni as a 9-5 job. Show up to campus at 9 (or 10 or whatever works for you) and then just "clock in" for your 7-8 hours on campus, going to lectures when you have them and otherwise studying in the library or common room or wherever, with a lunch break and some shorter breaks periodically to maintain focus. Then when you get to the end of that - "clock off"! Go home and just don't look at your uni stuff because you know you'll have been putting in the time already during the day, and spend the evening/afternoon/etc socialising or doing personal activities (obviously unlike a real job there's no set times so you can adjust it to start when works for you and finish when is viable for you and you can e.g. split doing a couple half days including the weekend days potentially to have more time during the week if you're a member of a society or something).
That approach, as well as making sure you actually do put in the time and hopefully are more likely to be productive due to being in a "learning environment" rather than at home, also helps create some psychological space between your studies and personal life by compartmentalising it to a particular location and time(s) of the day much more strongly, in a consistent manner. This alone I've found can help a lot with the otherwise near permanent low level anxiety of "am I doing enough work, do I have something due soon, I am feeling guilty for doing something for myself rather than more studying" etc!
Reply 8
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello,
Don't worry a lot of us started university like this and felt like we were behind, but trust me you aren't. The thing that made my life 100 times easier is that I started reading the recommended textbook chapter/s before the lecture instead of after. This way I already developed a brief background of the content and in the lecture, I entirely focus on fully understanding the content, and I only write notes when new things are being said. When you do the pre-reading before a lecture and then attend the lecture, the important information is reconsolidated and you can focus on the new information being said (that's my way of staying up with everything).
If you feel like you are still behind, make a timetable where you specify hours to study for a specific subject/lecture that you're behind on. Personally I prefer to study during the week so I can have the weekend off to myself. If I am really behind, I make Sunday an extra study day and Saturday a free day. It is extremely important that you don't over work yourself and your brain and give yourself a break.
It's just a matter of getting into a studying routine that suits you and then you'll stay on top of everything 🙂
All the best
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
Reply 9
For notes, try and make notes in the lecture - you don't need to write everything verbatim but see what tends to be included in materials available after the lecture (e.g. slides) and what you genuinely miss by not being in the lecture - and focus on making notes on those bits! When reading textbooks and so on this is really to enhance your understanding and fill in gaps from the lectures. You don't need to read them cover to cover - be directed and discerning in what you read from them to target areas you didn't understand as well, try your hand at examples, or to fill in more detail for something that only a brief sketch was presented of in the lecture.
When you miss a lecture then you're realistically going to need to re-cover all the material from that, but if you are provided recordings remember you can watch them at accelerated time - usually I'd watch lecture recordings at 1.2x or 1.5x speed (depending on how fast the lecturers naturally spoke). This means you don't spend as long as in a physical lecture (and the natural gaps and pauses which are helpful in a real lecture to finish writing notes, are less useful when using a recording so you can speed through those faster).
A fairly reasonable approach honestly would be to just approach uni as a 9-5 job. Show up to campus at 9 (or 10 or whatever works for you) and then just "clock in" for your 7-8 hours on campus, going to lectures when you have them and otherwise studying in the library or common room or wherever, with a lunch break and some shorter breaks periodically to maintain focus. Then when you get to the end of that - "clock off"! Go home and just don't look at your uni stuff because you know you'll have been putting in the time already during the day, and spend the evening/afternoon/etc socialising or doing personal activities (obviously unlike a real job there's no set times so you can adjust it to start when works for you and finish when is viable for you and you can e.g. split doing a couple half days including the weekend days potentially to have more time during the week if you're a member of a society or something).
That approach, as well as making sure you actually do put in the time and hopefully are more likely to be productive due to being in a "learning environment" rather than at home, also helps create some psychological space between your studies and personal life by compartmentalising it to a particular location and time(s) of the day much more strongly, in a consistent manner. This alone I've found can help a lot with the otherwise near permanent low level anxiety of "am I doing enough work, do I have something due soon, I am feeling guilty for doing something for myself rather than more studying" etc!
Oooh those are great tips, especially the 9-5 one. Although I am probably going to adjust it a bit. Thank you so much for these!
Reply 10
Don't worry a lot of us started university like this and felt like we were behind, but trust me you aren't. The thing that made my life 100 times easier is that I started reading the recommended textbook chapter/s before the lecture instead of after. This way I already developed a brief background of the content and in the lecture, I entirely focus on fully understanding the content, and I only write notes when new things are being said. When you do the pre-reading before a lecture and then attend the lecture, the important information is reconsolidated and you can focus on the new information being said (that's my way of staying up with everything).
If you feel like you are still behind, make a timetable where you specify hours to study for a specific subject/lecture that you're behind on. Personally I prefer to study during the week so I can have the weekend off to myself. If I am really behind, I make Sunday an extra study day and Saturday a free day. It is extremely important that you don't over work yourself and your brain and give yourself a break.
It's just a matter of getting into a studying routine that suits you and then you'll stay on top of everything 🙂
All the best
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
I always had one day of the weekend just to relax. I wouldn't even touch my books on that day. Somehow I wasn't doing this in uni, maybe because I thought uni is a really difficult place so I wouldn't be able to afford the luxury of having a whole day to myself. But I think I am wrong. I am going to have my Saturdays free from now on.
I also didn't do pre-lecture reading (so stupid of me). I will make sure to do it!
Thank you for the advice!
Reply 11
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi @NazifaNawer 👋
Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you are feeling like that. I want to assure you that is completely fine to feel that way and it is common as well. It is helpful to talk to someone about all the pressure you are feeling. Schedule your time wisely so you have time for free time as well. Reading list is perfectly fine, just read key chapters mainly first and then others later if you have time.
Remember to take your time looking over notes and prioritise your wellbeing though, if you need to take a break, do take a break. University is not easy and takes time to settle in ans move quickly.
Hope you feel more settled soon 😊
Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜
Reply 12
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi there!
I just thought I would add some things from my own experience just in case any of this helps you, on top of the great advice you have already have:
•
One of the things that has helped me the most is to create a schedule to help you with your week. I like to write down at the start of the week everything I have to do that week - so include lectures and seminars, any other work you need to do and any fun things too. This way you can see clearly everything that you need to do that week and then you can see when you have time to get all of your work done to make sure you can fit all of it in!
•
With lectures, I like to put them 1.5 speed if I am watching them back and then if it gets to the bit that I actually need to focus on, I can put it back on normal speed to focus on that bit. This speeds it up quite a lot but still allows you to watch it all and focus fully on the parts that you need to.
•
With the reading, I would focus on essential reading. You will probably be given lots of reading but you don't actually have to do all of it, so just do the bits you need to do and then see what time you have left for the rest of it. You can also search for certain words so you can see specific bits that you need to read which is so helpful and means you don't have to read everything!
•
Another thing that is helpful is to just make sure you ask your tutors anything you are unsure about as soon as you are unsure as they will be able to help you straight away, rather than you having to find it out when you are writing your assignment or revising as this will be a lot harder to do.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 13
I just thought I would add some things from my own experience just in case any of this helps you, on top of the great advice you have already have:
•
One of the things that has helped me the most is to create a schedule to help you with your week. I like to write down at the start of the week everything I have to do that week - so include lectures and seminars, any other work you need to do and any fun things too. This way you can see clearly everything that you need to do that week and then you can see when you have time to get all of your work done to make sure you can fit all of it in!
•
With lectures, I like to put them 1.5 speed if I am watching them back and then if it gets to the bit that I actually need to focus on, I can put it back on normal speed to focus on that bit. This speeds it up quite a lot but still allows you to watch it all and focus fully on the parts that you need to.
•
With the reading, I would focus on essential reading. You will probably be given lots of reading but you don't actually have to do all of it, so just do the bits you need to do and then see what time you have left for the rest of it. You can also search for certain words so you can see specific bits that you need to read which is so helpful and means you don't have to read everything!
•
Another thing that is helpful is to just make sure you ask your tutors anything you are unsure about as soon as you are unsure as they will be able to help you straight away, rather than you having to find it out when you are writing your assignment or revising as this will be a lot harder to do.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Oh wow. Thank you so much! These are helpful as well. I'm trying to make a weekly schedule right now!
Reply 14
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Hey,
I hear you, and it's completely normal to feel this way! Moving from your homeschool routine to the fast pace of university is a huge adjustment.
Here's my advice:
Your current approach is creating a backlog because you're applying a slow-paced method to a fast-paced problem.
1.
Stop Over-Noting: This is your biggest time sink. Don't re-watch entire lectures or copy down every detail. Focus only on what the lecturer highlights for the exam or what's written on the slides.
2.
Skim the Textbooks: Textbooks are supplements, not daily required reading. Only read the sections that directly match the topic of that week's lecture or seminar. Look for the main arguments, models, and conclusions, and ignore the detailed background filler.
3.
Prioritise Downtime: You are anxious because you never stop working. Try to schedule time off (a few hours) where you close the books. This makes your study hours far more productive.
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Reply 15
I hear you, and it's completely normal to feel this way! Moving from your homeschool routine to the fast pace of university is a huge adjustment.
Here's my advice:
Your current approach is creating a backlog because you're applying a slow-paced method to a fast-paced problem.
1.
Stop Over-Noting: This is your biggest time sink. Don't re-watch entire lectures or copy down every detail. Focus only on what the lecturer highlights for the exam or what's written on the slides.
2.
Skim the Textbooks: Textbooks are supplements, not daily required reading. Only read the sections that directly match the topic of that week's lecture or seminar. Look for the main arguments, models, and conclusions, and ignore the detailed background filler.
3.
Prioritise Downtime: You are anxious because you never stop working. Try to schedule time off (a few hours) where you close the books. This makes your study hours far more productive.
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Thank youuuu! I like the last few sentences you wrote. Those were so encouraging 😭
Reply 16
Now that I am in uni, I am trying to do the same thing but, unlike the past few years, I can't seem to stay on top of my studies. I have classes on all weekdays (2 classes per day usually). So if I am able to finish one task each day, I end up with 2 more to do. I think this could be because:
1) I'm taking too much time to take notes after each lecture. If I miss a lecture, I watch the whole lecture recording later instead of just looking at the uploaded slides. Idk which information from the lecture notes/ lecture would be important (unlike in my A level days) and which to ignore.
2) The lecturers have all told us to read textbooks because it isn't enough to just attend lectures. So I try to read the textbooks.
So basically each task is very time consuming for me. I can't seem to go forward. For this reason, I am also unable to do extra curricular activities or get a job.
Please help me in this situation. I can't enjoy if I have a bunch of tasks to finish. I get anxious. Most of the time outside of classes is spent studying at home. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should have some free time too. I'm anxious all the time just because of this. Any help would be appreciated.
I totally get where you’re coming from! I can imagine that transition from homeschooling to uni can be really intense. It’s such a different structure, and it’s normal to feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up. You’re clearly putting a lot of effort in, which is a great sign, but it sounds like you just need to tweak how you’re working rather than working more.
One thing that honestly saved me was using a diary or planner and setting small daily goals. Instead of tackling everything at once, I’d write down 2–3 key tasks for the day that were realistic…things I could actually finish. It helped me feel productive without burning out, and over time it really added up. Seeing tasks ticked off also eased a lot of the anxiety around “never doing enough.”
You’re absolutely right about rewatching lectures, that’s a good call, especially if you’ve missed one, because you’ll get way more context than just looking at slides. But during live lectures, try to focus on taking notes as you go, rather than rewriting everything after. Even if they’re a bit messy, having those rough notes saves a lot of time later, and you can tidy them up when revising instead of redoing the whole thing.
It might also help to be selective about what you read from the textbooks. You don’t always need to read every page, focus on the chapters or sections your lecturers highlight, or that directly link to your lectures. That way you’re getting depth where it matters rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Uni is a big adjustment for everyone, especially when you’ve been used to studying at your own pace. It takes time to find your rhythm, but you will. Be kind to yourself, you’re not falling behind, you’re just learning a new way of managing your time and workload. Once you find that balance, you’ll be able to carve out space for yourself again, whether that’s a hobby, social time, or even just a proper break without guilt.
You’re doing great, it’s clear you care and you’re putting the effort in. It’ll get easier as you settle into your flow. Good luck!
Sophie 🙂
Reply 17
I totally get where you’re coming from! I can imagine that transition from homeschooling to uni can be really intense. It’s such a different structure, and it’s normal to feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up. You’re clearly putting a lot of effort in, which is a great sign, but it sounds like you just need to tweak how you’re working rather than working more.
One thing that honestly saved me was using a diary or planner and setting small daily goals. Instead of tackling everything at once, I’d write down 2–3 key tasks for the day that were realistic…things I could actually finish. It helped me feel productive without burning out, and over time it really added up. Seeing tasks ticked off also eased a lot of the anxiety around “never doing enough.”
You’re absolutely right about rewatching lectures, that’s a good call, especially if you’ve missed one, because you’ll get way more context than just looking at slides. But during live lectures, try to focus on taking notes as you go, rather than rewriting everything after. Even if they’re a bit messy, having those rough notes saves a lot of time later, and you can tidy them up when revising instead of redoing the whole thing.
It might also help to be selective about what you read from the textbooks. You don’t always need to read every page, focus on the chapters or sections your lecturers highlight, or that directly link to your lectures. That way you’re getting depth where it matters rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Uni is a big adjustment for everyone, especially when you’ve been used to studying at your own pace. It takes time to find your rhythm, but you will. Be kind to yourself, you’re not falling behind, you’re just learning a new way of managing your time and workload. Once you find that balance, you’ll be able to carve out space for yourself again, whether that’s a hobby, social time, or even just a proper break without guilt.
You’re doing great, it’s clear you care and you’re putting the effort in. It’ll get easier as you settle into your flow. Good luck!
Sophie 🙂
Sophie thank you for the tips. I love how you wrote some comforting things too. I'm actually already quite ahead now since I started doing the tips you and the other suggested.
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