Worrying about your workload can bring on stress and anxiety so it’s important to know how to manage it. There are many ways that you can ensure you’re on top of your workload, and different things work for different people. Here’s our advice on how to stay on top of your assignments.
1. Set a study plan
As soon as you’re given deadlines for essays and exam dates, it’s best to write them down in your planner. You can buy a daily planner or update the calendar on your phone so you can find all the dates whenever you need to. It’s a good idea to put any extracurricular activities in the planner too, as well as any holidays you have coming up. If you plan ahead, you’ll never be surprised by upcoming deadlines. Sticky notes are also useful to put any important reminders around your home as a constant reminder of what you need to do.
2. Start your work early
It’s always best to start working on your essays and assignments as early as possible. By doing your work gradually from the day it was assigned, you’ll avoid late nights and more stress around deadline day. It’ll also give you plenty of opportunities to ask your lecturers for help if you get stuck or have any questions.
3. Don’t overwork
When your deadline is approaching and you need to study hard, make sure you don’t exhaust yourself. Take a short break every now and then, not only to reward yourself, but to recharge your batteries and avoid burnout. Similarly, be cautious of how many extracurricular activities you take on when your workload gets busier. Making sure you’re working to your full potential is the priority, and taking on too many things may have a negative impact on your assignments.
4. Prioritise time for yourself
Life at university isn’t about working hard all the time; you can have fun as well! Studying for a degree can be stressful, so it’s important to prioritise time for yourself. Go out with friends, buy yourself something nice, binge-watch your favourite TV show, or have a lie-in on days you don’t have lectures. By spending time on things you enjoy, you’ll find it easier to focus when you sit down to study.
5. Create a daily routine
Having a daily routine can help you feel more in control of your workload. It can be as simple as waking up at the same time in the morning, scheduling time for studying, going to bed at a reasonable time, and socialising at the weekend. It’s hard to predict your life and sometimes you’ll not be able to keep to your routine, but if you stick to it as much as possible, it’ll help in the long run.
6. Reach out if you need help
Deadlines and exams can be a stressful time, and anyone can experience thoughts and feelings that are upsetting and affect their ability to concentrate on their studies. Without the right support, stress over your work can even lead to anxiety or depression.
Reach out to your tutors and classmates if you need to talk about any of your worries. If things get really tough, we have a team of health professionals who offer an accessible and supportive service for all students experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties impacting their studies and/or daily lives.
Our Wellbeing service is confidential and free of charge for all students, including full-time, part-time, international, and home. You can also read more about managing your wellbeing here.
Published: 29 July 2024