Various circumstances can make you feel overwhelmed with studying. We’ve compiled a list of handy tips that will help transform your study routine.
It’s easy to get stuck in unhealthy and ineffective study habits during your time at university. Various circumstances -- like time sensitivity, external situations, and just a general pressure to get lots of work done and do it well -- can make you feel overwhelmed with studying. We’ve compiled a list of handy tips that will help transform your study routine so that you can keep your practices healthy and fun and avoid those dreaded study anxieties.
Log off and lock in
It’s the oldest trick in the book, but we’re saying it for good reasons! To fully immerse yourself in your studies – whether it’s revising or writing – you need to disconnect from social media. We get it, it’s way easier to scroll through your TikTok For You Page than write a 3,000-word essay. However, those small distractions build up to a lot of wasted time, and ultimately a less smooth studying process. It’s not just the time you spend watching the TikTok, but also the time that it takes to get back into what you were doing afterwards... Try offloading those distracting social media apps during your study days, the content will still be there once you finish your to-do list!
It’s not just social media that can distract you though, there are various other distractions that may arise during your study time that means you’re using your time ineffectively. Your ideal location and time of day is vital to making sure you are studying well. Gone are the days of thinking you need to be in the library 9am-5pm. Perhaps you study better 1pm-7pm in your kitchen, or you find that a productive morning in Ground Cafe is way better than forcing yourself to study on a Monday morning. Find a time of day that you feel the most content working, and discover a location with limited distractions, but the perfect academia vibe for you.
So, your phone’s on silent, you’re in a comfortable environment, and it’s your most productive time of day... What else do you need? Study buddies! With the right study buddy, you can cheer one another on, discuss anything you’re stuck on, and even practice revision techniques together. Make sure you’re both on the same page and practice restriction in not getting distracted. You may find it helpful to use techniques like the Pomodoro Method, to make sure you don’t all get sidetracked.
Take care of yourself
When you’re busy with various university tasks, it’s easy to put your studies at a priority – but you need to remember to keep your mental and physical health at a good and healthy level. The easiest way to do this is making sure you’re studying sustainably, is making sure you have frequent breaks. Whether that’s a lunch break, or an evening off to hang out with friends, breaks are super important to make sure that when you are studying, you are avoiding burnout and working to your full potential.
Plus, a great way to spend your breaks (big or small) is to exercise and move your body! While this may feel like you’re using up energy you could be exerting in your studies, there is lots of research to show that physical exercise is helpful in boosting your brain skills. This means that going for a run, doing some yoga or even attending a Dance Fit class at Qmotion, might help you get a good grade on one of your modules! You may want to check out our Get Active programme, which is a series of drop-in sessions to partake in some group exercises without any commitment or experience necessary – for only £2 per hour!
Exercise is great because it gives you an opportunity to switch off from your academic life and think about something else! Another way you might want to try this is to practice mindfulness, which gives you the opportunity to stop for a moment and feel grounded within yourself. When things get hectic during the academic year, it’s easy to feel like everything builds up and you get caught up in the stress of deadlines and commitments. Mindfulness is a great opportunity to take a breath and re-evaluate the world around you to see how it truly is.
Setting achievable goals and routines
At university, you’re bound to have lots of tasks – some big, some small; sometimes multiple at once – and it’s up to you to take the steps towards meeting these requirements. Set your wider goals, whether that’s a word count, a specific amount of revision or maybe even to finish an application. Once you have this, you can start small and plan the steps that you will need to take to get to that final goal. Small steps feel more manageable and can make a large project feel easy peasy! You could even set small rewards once you finish each step – for example, when you finish planning the essay, your reward could be buying a sweet treat from the Union Shop or Village Shop! Talk about an incentive!
Another top tip in reaching your goals is finding that golden level of productivity, where you are getting a good amount of work done, yet you are finding it easy and enjoyable! One of the worst things you can do for productivity and studying well is pushing yourself too far and no longer enjoying your degree. You chose to do this degree, and the module, so make it fun for yourself! When choosing an essay topic, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about or find interesting, so that you feel personally invested in what you’re working on. Trust us, it makes that writing or revising that little bit more enjoyable!
When setting goals, it’s super helpful to make a schedule or plan on when (or how) you’re going to take each step towards reaching the finish line. Whether this is a monthly, weekly, or daily schedule, routine is key in finding your rhythm and making the most of your time studying! Being able to visualise what steps you need to take to hit your goals makes your studying more motivating and effective. Plus, with a routine, you can ensure you have time to do the things you love – visit friends, practice your hobbies and do some exercise!
Be prepared
The preparation to work can be just as important as the work itself! When you are studying, it will be easier if you have everything in place to go full speed ahead. This includes setting a routine, as we just discussed, but also making sure you have everything academically you need. Make sure you have a good understanding of the assignment, you know what you’re talking about, and you have all the resources that you could be utilising in your work. You also might want to develop your research skills in advance to ensure you’re really hitting those high marks – check out the Library Services’ Academic Skills Centre!
Being prepared also includes the scenario in which you are writing. Stay hydrated and rested, to make sure your brain is working at full capacity, and that you are in the right and happy mindset to be studying. But also keeps drinks and snacks at the hand! This will minimise the potential distractions of trips down to the kitchen, which leads to gossiping with your housemates, or even quick trips to local supermarkets or coffee shops to fix a craving. Lock into your studies and have everything at your fingertips!
Say no to self doubt!
Most, if not all, people will feel overwhelmed by their study commitments at some point of their time at university – you're not alone! Hopefully these top tips will help you finesse your study skills so that you can work effectively and happily. However, the biggest thing you can do for yourself is to say no to self-doubt. Believe that you can and will get your assignments done, and you will do them well! Don’t give in to your fears and anxieties, take your study schedule at your own pace, and remain calm. Good luck!