Monday 08-11-2021 - 16:11

By Samina Zia and Richard Buckley

Here are Samina and Richard’s top tips for looking after yourself during the Assessment Period.  

 

1. Have a routine to get yourself into the zone.

 If you plan to start studying at, say, 4pm, set a reminder for 3.30 so you can take steps to prepare yourself mentally.  You could use a soundtrack to signal to your brain that it’s study time, change into comfortable clothing, prepare your workspace, have your notes and books open at the right page, and so on.

 

2. Don’t leave it to the last minute!

It’ll only make you feel worse in the long run.  The sooner you make a start on planning and writing your assignments, the less stressed you’ll be.   You’ll also find it easier to get started when the PPT slides and your notes from lectures and seminars are fresh in your mind.  It’s also wise to use the notes from class to sketch a structure for your essay.  Once you have a good structure in place, and once you’re clear about what you want to say, the essay will almost write itself.  

 

3. Plan ahead what you’re going to eat.  

It’s so easy to let go of your diet when your attention is elsewhere, but you need to be well-nourished to write effectively.  If you decide in advance what you’re going to eat, you’ll be less likely to reach for junk food when the hunger and tiredness kick in.  If you binge on chocolate in your break, you could end up with a sugar rush, which just takes you back to square one.

 

4. Prepare a comfortable, calm study space.  

If you can, keep a quiet room for studying which is free of distractions.  Give thought to comfort – cushions, adjustable chair, desk lamp, and so on – so that your study rhythm isn’t broken by neck or back pain.  A gaming chair can work wonders here.  This might not be achievable at home with the pressures of family life and kids – but you might be able to find a quiet spot on campus (e.g. a free classroom).  

 

5. Don’t study in bed!

That isn’t what your bed is for.  There’s too high a risk of getting too comfortable – many students find that as soon as they put their laptop to the side and rest their head on the pillow, it’s game over!

 

6. Set achievable study goals.  

Sometimes, it’s hard to get started because you’re not sure you can commit to a long study session.  But it’s better to get 30 minutes’ concentrated studying done in a day than it is to plan for 2 hours, get scared at the thought of committing for so long, and then ending up doing nothing.

 

7. Dedicate enough time to writing.  

You might be used to being ‘lastminute.com’ when it comes to assignments, and perhaps you feel you work better under pressure.  However, in University, if you want to produce a quality assignment, you have to give it quality time.  

 

8. Treat yourself when you achieve your goals.  

You could reward yourself after your long study session with some chocolate, or an episode of a series you’ve been meaning to catch up on.  Or you could plan a day out to celebrate completing a full assignment.  You’ll find that this approach incentivises your brain to make sure that the goals you’ve set yourself are definitely achievable!

 

9. Keep hydrated.  

So many students blame their headache on the stress of essay writing – but dehydration is just as likely to be the real cause.  Have a bottle of water or a soft drink next to you on your desk (though not something alcoholic – and keep it at a safe distance from your laptop)!

 

10. Step away from your work and come back to it later with fresh eyes.  

Does it still make sense?  If you close your laptop at the end of the day and review it the next day, it’s easier to spot proofreading errors (or gaps in your logic).  

 

And finally – don’t suffer in silence if it’s not going well!

If you’re struggling with your assignments, there is support on hand:

 

Worried that you might not be able to get your work in on time, due to challenges in your personal life or health problems?

You might be able to apply for Extenuating Circumstances.  You’ll need to complete the form on MyTSD, and provide evidence. You can get more information on this from your lecturers, Student Services on your campus, or from us in the Students’ Union – unionadvice@uwtsd.ac.uk.  

 

Unsure how to start your assignment, how to structure it, or what resources to use?

Or maybe you still haven’t got your head around referencing? The University’s Library and Learning Resources offer a range of support with referencing and study skills. You can find out more here.

 

Feel that you need more specific support with personal challenges, or are concerned about your mental wellbeing?

UWTSD is home to some of the UK’s best-quality Student Services, including dedicated counselling, mental health and disability support.  

 

What are your top tips for studying?  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with any thoughts, comments, questions or concerns – unionadvice@uwtsd.ac.uk.  

 

Samina Zia is Student Voice Rep for Institute of Inner-City Learning students at UWTSD Birmingham Campus, where she studies BA Leadership and Management.  

Richard Buckley is Advocacy Co-ordinator at the Students’ Union, and works with students at all campuses to offer advice and support.  

Study Aid: Tips, tricks and support networks.