Tips - How to manage workloads as a student

One of the major differences between college and university is the requirement to complete independent study and the expectation that students will manage their own time effectively. This can often be a challenge for students as balancing a social life with studying can leave students feeling burnt-out and overwhelmed. However, there is plenty of support and advice for students and through a small amount of organisation and pre-planning you can study and have a thriving social life without stressing out. Read on for my top tips of managing your workload as a student!

Step One: Pre-planning

Pre-planning and organisation are essential when beginning a new term or academic year. Prior to beginning my studies, I made a colourful poster of all the assignment dates with key information such as word count and a short sentence describing the assignment. Just by creating an easy-to-read poster, I can begin to visualise the year ahead of me and ensure that assignments are started in advance – therefore taking the pressure off during exam season. I also find that this allows me to begin thinking about the assignment content in advance, which makes starting assignments feel much less daunting!

Step Two: Setting Achievable Goals

When focusing on assignments it can be easy to feel that you’re climbing a mountain. It’s therefore incredibly important that you set yourself achievable goals. Allocating specific periods to study will break down your workload and ensure that you take regular breaks when completing work. I often create weekly plans which include my classes for the week, allocated individual study periods, and most importantly my social life! This allows me to pre-plan what I’m going to study and when, as well as making sure I allow enough time to get the work done without overloading myself.

Step Three: Managing Reading Lists & Resources

Conducting research and reading is one of the key elements of university which students often find challenging and time consuming. I’ve found that my skills in this have gradually improved, however there are some steps you can take that will make this process easier. Firstly, I always begin my research prior to starting any assignment. I often research key terms in both the library catalogue and Google Scholar and then make a word document of key resources I’ve found with a summary of the points I want to use re-written in my own words. By writing this information in your own words in note-form from beginning, you reduce the risk of having to re-write large parts of your essay due to high similarity scores on Turnitin – thus saving you a lot of time and stress later down the line! Similarly, make sure you utilise the resources on SOL and check the reading lists provided by your lecturers as this will give you a good starting place for your research. I often go on to explore additional relevant literature cited in these texts. This is a quick way of building up a good selection of resources and often allows you to have a good mix of journal articles and text-books.

Step Four: Managing Stress, Mental Health, & Accessing Support

Being a student can be incredibly stressful and making sure you practice self-care and reach out for support is vital. The Student Hub is the first point of contact for any queries relating to your studies or personal matters which may be affecting you. They can offer practical advice or can refer you on to Solent’s support services. Similarly, reaching out to your lecturers if you feel you need extra support is also essential. Although it can feel daunting, it’s really important you notify the university if you’re struggling so they can help you. Finally, tell your friends and family if you’re finding things overwhelming – basically don’t suffer in silence! The support is out there, and Solent’s top priority is to help and care for their students.

I hope these tips will help you manage your workload during your studies and make your life at university less stressful. Just remember that there is so much support out there and if you’re feeling overwhelmed at any point then reach out and access these services – they’re there for you!

Happy Studying!

Zoe