The new academic year has arrived. If you’re a fresher, you’ll notice a step up from studying at college to studying at uni. Indigo Williams, Vice President Welfare at Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) shares her study tips for new students (and current ones too!).
Go to lectures and seminars (when you can)
Go to university lectures and seminars in person, as much as you can. The majority are recorded, which is reassuring to know if you’re sick/tired/busy. But they’re still useful to go to, especially if you’re on a course that’s heavy on independent study time. You’ll meet other people and feel like you have structure and purpose in your day. It can be easy to become unmotivated otherwise. If you’re paying for uni, you also want to get your money’s worth!
Exaactly is a lifestyle choice that can hugely enhance uni for you. You can create a library of lecture notes, nights out with friends, places you visit, and your halls, etc. Use text, photos, maps and more, then share them selectively with friends or family. Use one Exaactly address to share your halls and places you visit with your parents, then another to share lecture notes with friends.
Be tactical with your to-do list
Get the tasks you don’t want to do done first. If that’s too daunting, start with a few easy tasks to check them off the to-do list and get that dopamine kick. Then you’re more likely to be able to dive into bigger things. Try to get things done early too. When I was a student, I’d take a little bit of time before classes started for the year to work through some of the reading list at my own pace. Then I’d have less reading to do during the semester.
Switch up your study space
The ideal study space is so different for everyone. One of the things I like about switching up your study space is that you’ll find what works for you. You might think you like busy, loud spaces because that’s what you’re used to, but you could try out a library or bookshop and realise you like peaceful spaces with no distractions. You might find a way of studying that’s even better than what you’re doing. If you’re at home, change up your environment. Don’t just stay at your desk, get up and walk around. Sit on the floor. Move between different areas.
Take a break
Make sure you factor breaks into study time. It’s nice to get out the house when you’re studying because it feels easier to have more defined breaks. Grab a coffee at a café or take a walk. I really love to work at the Balcony Café at the National Museum of Scotland. I buy a drink an hour into studying and have a little break, to read a book, scroll through Instagram or just people watch.
Get your stationery supplies
A lot of uni work is online, but I always like to have pens and paper. You never know when your phone, laptop or tablet might run out of battery! It can also be easier to do group work if you’ve got a piece of paper and everyone is contributing to it. A folder is also a good idea. Some tutors and professors might hand out pamphlets or worksheets, so it’s useful to have a few folders to store them in.
Why not add your own Exaactly address to your tablet, notepads, earphones and phone? Then you can be easily reunited with them if they get lost! Get into the Exaactly lifestyle and discover a parallel world. Set up a free Exaactly account and digital locker, before creating your own personalised address. Label all your uni stuff with your Exaactly address (or QR code) such as lost@@samantha, so you can add your contact details and any reward details to your digital locker and be reunited with your belongings.
Have an open approach to tutorials
Tutorials are a great way to hear other students’ ideas and perspectives. Be as open as possible to what other people have to say, to get the most out of them. They’re forums where you’ll receive critical feedback and get into academic debates, so approach them with kindness and openness. Be receptive to different working styles too. Remind yourself that what works for you may not work for someone else. Chances are, everyone’s still figuring out what working styles suit them as well.
Get on (your) schedule
One of the good things about so many degrees is that they give you the flexibility to design your own schedule. It’s a good way to learn what suits you best in terms of day-to-day rhythms and your energy levels. Maybe you’re someone who likes to study at night or you’re someone who’s more productive in the morning. University is a good time to explore what works for you.
Seek support
There are many different services to get support if you’re finding studying, or anything else, tricky. For example, at Edinburgh, there are Tutors, there’s a Wellbeing Service, and every student is also assigned a Student Advisor.
Work it out
Part time work and internships can be useful to build up your CV and earn extra money. The main thing is to not work too many hours per week though. This is particularly relevant if you’ve got a course schedule that’s heavy with classes. If you’re going to have a part time job, contain your hours within 1-2 days per week and do all your work on those days, rather than a couple of hours here and there. Part time work can tire you out and this way you might just be tired for a couple of days, instead of for several days. Unis generally have jobs for students too (for example, Edinburgh has Student Ambassadors). These jobs are usually flexible, fit around your university work and look great on your CV.
Indigo Williams
Indigo Williams is Vice President Welfare at Edinburgh University Students Association. In her role she focuses on supporting marginalised students. Indigo has an MA in International Relations from Edinburgh University.