How to make the most of your student life, for your success as well as enjoyment.
Work toward a goal
Nothing focuses you like a goal, an object in mind. Many studies show that students see university or college as a means to an end, as opposed to an end in itself, and in one particular study, less than a quarter of students responded that they were attending university 'for the experience'. From a similar study, it was reported that almost half the students surveyed planned to enter permanent full-time employment and over one-third planned to look for work.
Work toward a goal
Nothing focuses you like a goal, an object in mind. Many studies show that students see university or college as a means to an end, as opposed to an end in itself, and in one particular study, less than a quarter of students responded that they were attending university 'for the experience'. From a similar study, it was reported that almost half the students surveyed planned to enter permanent full-time employment and over one-third planned to look for work.
Around 5 percent, a significant minority, said they had no idea what their plans would be after university. History is littered with examples of successful people who went through many years of obscurity and hard work before achieving the success they have today, and there's whole industry which has grown up around training people to focus on goals in order to achieve success; however, your university or college gives you a comparatively short period of a few years to define, maintain and hone your focus. Figure out what you want to do, and drive toward it.
Study as a group
You're not the only one taking your course, so why not benefit from the wit, wisdom and different perspectives of your course mates ? Get together and compare notes. Set each other quizzes and competitions. You may well find that your university or student union promotes interaction between students via the various social media sites, such as Facebook. You may also find that other students on your course are from foreign countries, and would welcome your interaction to make them feel at home. You could also find some benefit from the outlook and knowledge that they bring to the table, which is likely to be from a radically different culture to your own.
Plan ahead for exams
Work back from the exam dates, map out your revision in advance with a timetable and stick to the timetable. Don't allow yourself to be dragged off-track. Keep a calendar in a prominent place, in clear sight from your desk or place of study, with your timetable upon it.
On the exam day itself, make sure you're there in plenty of time. If you arrive late, or rush up with barely a minute to spare, it's almost guaranteed to put you off your stride. Make sure you take everything you need with you, leave in plenty of time, make sure you know exactly where you're going, and double-check the date and time.
Spread yourself out
"A little but often" is an oft-repeated phrase, one which will help you in your studies, in tandem with the timetable described above. Don't try to 'cram' all your revision into the last few days before the exam. Keep it in bite-sized chunks, spread out over a manageable, and hopefully stress-free, extended period.
Organize
Nothing will frustrate you more than looking for lecture notes or textbooks that you know you have somewhere, but just can't lay your hands on. Have a system for filing, and organize your textbooks. Once you've made a system, remember to stick to it. Keep your focus.
Lastly, remember to enjoy yourself. There's an old saying "All work and no joy, makes Jack a dull boy". If you've implemented all the strategies outlined above, have all your work in hand, and have no surprises waiting for you around the corner, you should still have time in your day for a walk in the park, coffee with friends, some sports, or whichever other leisure pursuit takes your fancy.
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// ||| \\
__//____|||____\\____
| _| | _ ||
|/ \______|______/ \_|| Adam will drive this car.
_\_/_____________\_/_______
Study as a group
You're not the only one taking your course, so why not benefit from the wit, wisdom and different perspectives of your course mates
Plan ahead for exams
Work back from the exam dates, map out your revision in advance with a timetable and stick to the timetable. Don't allow yourself to be dragged off-track. Keep a calendar in a prominent place, in clear sight from your desk or place of study, with your timetable upon it.
On the exam day itself, make sure you're there in plenty of time. If you arrive late, or rush up with barely a minute to spare, it's almost guaranteed to put you off your stride. Make sure you take everything you need with you, leave in plenty of time, make sure you know exactly where you're going, and double-check the date and time.
Spread yourself out
"A little but often" is an oft-repeated phrase, one which will help you in your studies, in tandem with the timetable described above. Don't try to 'cram' all your revision into the last few days before the exam. Keep it in bite-sized chunks, spread out over a manageable, and hopefully stress-free, extended period.
Organize
Nothing will frustrate you more than looking for lecture notes or textbooks that you know you have somewhere, but just can't lay your hands on. Have a system for filing, and organize your textbooks. Once you've made a system, remember to stick to it. Keep your focus.
Lastly, remember to enjoy yourself. There's an old saying "All work and no joy, makes Jack a dull boy". If you've implemented all the strategies outlined above, have all your work in hand, and have no surprises waiting for you around the corner, you should still have time in your day for a walk in the park, coffee with friends, some sports, or whichever other leisure pursuit takes your fancy.
Simon Lunn works as a freelance writer for UK Essays. Founded in 2003, it has supported students with Masters Dissertation help for many years.
