Uni is never easy. When you first start it’s even harder! But guess what? I have a solution for you!
What to do:
1. First write down in your diary what you need to for each day, if you don’t know what you are doing, say, on Fridays then leave it blank until for example, you’ve made appointment to see the doctor or you’ve organised to see some friends that day, etc.
2. Second, try to write down everything in a sort of chronological order. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it will give you an idea of what you need to do that day, whether it’s a shift at work, an assignment is due or your friends 21st birthday party.
3. Put your lists to action and actually carry out the tasks you give yourself! Make sure you write in some exercise, relax and social time.
Click on the photo above to purchase this diary!
How to manage: WORK
1. As soon as you know your shifts for the week, write them in your diary and on you calendar. Even set your alarm settings on your phone to make sure you get there on time.
2. Make sure you’ve told your boss what days/hours you can work so you don’t clash or skip out on classes. Missing classes is even worse than missing work, trust us!
3. Thirdly, if for some reason you have to cancel a shift, cancel the day before not the day of! Your boss may give you less hours if you miss work or call in sick too often.
NEXT…
How to manage: UNI
1. First things first, as soon as you know your class times, write those in your diary and on your calendar too!
2. Go through all your course outlines and write in due dates for assignments.
3. Buy your text books by the second week!
4. After the first two weeks you should know the deadlines for sure – some lecturer’s and tutors may change some of your due dates, so make sure your listening to find out!
5. Organise your assignments in order of priority. For example… If your CMN110 assignment one is due Week 5, 5pm and all others are due after this date then make this assignment number one on your list to complete.
6. Keep checking your course outlines as it has everything you need to know and do for each of your assignments. It also tells you if you have a reading list! This means you must add this into your diary as well so you know what to read before your lecture or tute each week.
Last but not least…
How to manage: SOCIAL LIFE
1. The best thing to do with this is first set aside time for YOU. We all need it. Whether it’s relaxing by the pool, reading your fave magazine or watching your fave TV show – do it but don’t let it get in the way of study.
2. So what do you do exactly? Write in your diary/calendar/phone that sets aside atleast an hour to do something for you. I would also recommend setting aside a time for some exercise. An hour each day is all you need. It could be gym, a fitness program you like, going for a run, walking your dogs, playing your fave sport. Anything that gets you active will have you feeling better and more able to tackle your studies!
3. If you know a special birthday, anniversary, party, wedding, etc that you are going to go to, write it in your diary now and get work off for it in advance. That way work can’t say anything about calling in sick and you know you’ll have your assignments out of the way by the time you get there.
4. Always set a time each week where you can relax.
Editor in Chief and Campus Correspondent of Her Campus USC AU, Jasmin Maastricht said a teachers wise words still stick with her to this day.
“I remember my high school teacher saying, ‘I always relax on Friday nights and Saturdays when I can and leave all my marking for Sunday’,” Jasmin said.
We hope this helps!
HCXO