Uni is the place to have fun, meet new people and have brand new experiences. However, it can be super easy to get caught up in all the excitement and forget why you’re actually there.
Yes, it’s definitely important to make the most of your time at uni, but you mustn’t forget that your aim is to leave with a degree! At the end of the day, it’s all about balance.
Here are some simple tips for juggling your study and playtime while you’re a uni student:
- Invest in a diary
Getting a diary allows you to timetable in absolutely everything that you’ll be doing while you’re at uni, from the academic stuff like studying, exams and coursework, to hobbies, socialising and activities with societies.
This can really help you to keep track of how you’re using your time and can also encourage you to tweak things if necessary.
I recently bought a really cool diary from TK Maxx, which came complete with inspirational quotes (who doesn’t love a positive quote to get you pumped?), a load of space to plan and stickers too! However, you can get a good diary from almost anywhere and some unis may even give you a free one at the start of the year.
- Find a study space that works for you
You’re going to want to make sure you make the most of your study time at uni so you can really enjoy the time you’ve got to do other things. Where you choose to work is such an important part of this and it’s really important to figure out what works best for YOU.
Do you work better with others, or are you more productive when you’re alone? Is the library your perfect space, or are you able to really get into some deep study when you’re at home? Feel free to try different places in order to gauge where you can really maximise the time you spend studying.
- Don’t feel the need to copy what others do
It’s important to recognise that someone else’s study techniques may not work for you. I was at uni with a girl who could retain information just by reading her notes a few times. That definitely wasn’t me. I had to use mind maps, handwritten notes and I had to chant the information out loud for it to stick.
Again, take some time in trying to figure out what methods suit you best. Are you a visual learner? Do you colour code to remember information? Do you need to condense your notes, or perhaps write them out a few times? Do you retain info best by reciting, or maybe even teaching others? Again, mastering your study techniques can help you make the most of your time.
- Please please please, have fun!
I know I’ve spoken a lot about studying, but make sure you spend time doing loads of other cool things too. Join that society (even if you’re scared, I wish I did), talk to that person (they won’t bite, I promise) and really challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone. You never know what will come of it.
These next few years will literally fly by, so embrace every aspect of your uni experience!
