Life at University is great, but at times it can be incredibly overwhelming. Juggling competing priorities and time between lectures, essays, deadlines, part-time work, sports, societies, and hobbies can often make finding the balance feel close to impossible. This blog aims to give you some tips on managing your time effectively!
Staying up late trying to catch up? Make sure you get a good night’s rest to avoid being tired the next day which can make it harder to catch up!
Plan to do all your work tomorrow? It’s likely that even if you get up as early as possible and work through the day you won’t be able to complete a weeks’ worth of work in one day. This can lead to procrastination so make sure you plan a schedule to keep you organised with studying!
Finding a good environment…
You’re less likely to just go back to sleep or end up watching TV if you’re out of bed and at a desk (preferably not in your bedroom!). There is always study spaces available on campus at the library which can help you stay focused. You can even try working with others - if you find you stop working when your alone it may be that working with others helps focus your energy. Make sure, wherever you are studying that you organise your space. A clean, tidy workspace can help clear your mind and reduce distractions. By making your environment more organised, you may feel more focused and ready to tackle your tasks.
You don’t need to figure it all out in one go start with small, manageable steps. Taking small steps can help reduce the overwhelm that comes with procrastination.
Break tasks into smaller steps…
Large tasks can feel overwhelming, which is why breaking them into smaller, more manageable chunks can help make them feel more achievable. Focus on one small part at a time and celebrate each step completed.
Studying in short bursts can help!
Working regularly will help your brain to absorb and remember your subject and will also help you to feel fully engaged with your studies. You don’t have to work for hours every time to make it worthwhile.
Set realistic goals: Create specific, achievable goals for each task. Setting a goal like “work on my essay for 30 minutes” is much more manageable than “finish my essay.” This reduces the feeling of pressure and makes it easier to get started.
Create a routine: Having a consistent daily routine can help you stay on track. Set regular times for studying or working on tasks and try to stick to them as much as possible. A routine can help reduce procrastination by creating structure and building momentum.
Use the "5-minute rule": If you’re finding it difficult to get started, try committing to just five minutes of work. Often, once you’ve started, it becomes easier to keep going. This helps overcome the initial resistance to starting a task.
Remove distractions: Identify the things that tend to distract you, whether it’s your phone, social media, or noise, and find ways to minimize them while you’re working. This can help you stay focused and make progress.
Forest is a helpful app that helps you stay focused by growing a virtual tree while you work. If you leave the app to check social media, the tree dies. This can be useful to help you stay focused and not use your phone.
Headspace has an interactive tool to help you understand procrastination and suggest personalised ways to combat it.
Remember to be kind to yourself: Procrastination can lead to feelings of guilt and self-criticism, but it’s important to be compassionate toward yourself. Acknowledge that you’re human and that it’s okay to struggle sometimes. Treat yourself with the same understanding you would offer a friend.
Brush up on your study skills: Improving your academic skills can help you work more efficiently and feel more confident in your abilities. Check out helpful resources to build those skills and make the process easier. You can reach out to Academic Skills who offer 1:1 tutorials, drop-ins, and workshops. These activities delivered both online and in-person can help to develop your academic writing and communication.