While the semester rolls on and your workload becomes more stressful, you may become overwhelmed at keeping up with everything. In order to stay organised and on track throughout the semester, there are some tips that you can implement to make your life easier.
To-do lists
To-do lists may seem obvious, but how often do you actually stick to them? Not only will they keep you organised, but the simple act of ticking things off can keep you motivated to do more. Listing tasks in order of priority is a great way of ensuring your most pressing tasks are completed before the easier ones. When deciding which tasks have priority, consider their due dates and how much time you need to complete them.
Multitasking may seem like the right way to go as it feels like we’re getting more things done. However, research often shows that multi-tasking tends to decrease our productivity, meaning we actually end up achieving less. To help combat this, it’s best to focus on one task at a time, this will ensure you’re creating the best work that you can.
Pomodoro technique
If you’re struggling to stay motivated and focused on your work, try a little time management technique called the Pomodoro technique. It breaks time up into 25-minute chunks separated by a 5-minute break, with the idea behind it being that the 25 minutes promotes a sense of urgency, allowing you to get more work done. Oftentimes we believe that we have endless amounts of time in the day to get stuff done but then we end up wasting it and needing more time to complete the work.
Organise your digital files
To allow you to be more efficient when accessing your digital documents, it’s best to have an organised system on your computer. Store your files in folders with relevant names and ensure you create subfolders to allow for more ease. Make sure you backup your data as well and get in the habit of constantly saving your work all the time. The last thing you want is your computer crashing and having your 2,000-word essay not saved.
Revise frequently
A lesson that is frequently learned by many uni students often over and over again, is the act of leaving everything until the last minute. It’s so much better if you learn and understand the content as you go along week-by-week rather than cramming it all in at the last minute.
A way you can do this is to figure out a way of learning that suits you. That could be using flash cards, going to study groups or just writing out notes, whatever way allows you to learn at your best is the way to go.
As the semester picks up speed, it’s normal to feel some sort of stress as your assignment due dates and exams loom closer. But if you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, it may be best to seek support, whether that's through your university counseling services or through Sonder.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from The University of Wollongong.
Image credit: Nick Morrison on Unsplash
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.