Published: 10 January 2022
Life as a University of Sunderland in London student can be exciting, interesting and fun.
It is also, for many of you, just one aspect of your very busy lives. It’s no wonder then that a question lots of people ask is ‘how do I study around my other commitments?’
We’ve put together our very best tips and tricks for getting the most out of your time with us, without burning out!
1) Fixed or flexible?
Some things at University happen at set, predictable times. You’ll get your timetable, for example, which means knowing when your classes will happen.
The same goes for assignments, dissertations and social events.
Other things are on your own schedule, like sleeping, relaxing and studying.
Work out what fits in each category and you’ll get an idea of the amount of time you have free.
2) Think about your schedule
The next step is to plan out your study time. A good rough estimate is to aim for about six hours a week for each module.
Build this into your fixed times and adjust it up or down depending on if it works for the rest of your commitments.
3) Study at set times
Developing the habit of studying is an important part of being consistent in your university life.
For one thing, it will save you time deciding what and when to study and help fight the urge to procrastinate.
Avoid being overly general in what you plan to look into. Don’t just write ‘Introduction to managing and leading people’, for example.
Put down exactly which part of that module you want to look at and what you’re going to achieve.
4) Study after class
The best time to go over something is straight after you’ve learned it because it will help you memorise the information.
In the same way, it’s best to begin your next assignment as soon as you get the topic or cover it in your lecture.
Putting things off until later means you’ll have to work harder to remember the information. Ultimately this leads to spending more time studying.
5) Use your spare moments
Throughout the day, you will find yourself having a few minutes here and there with nothing to do.
Whether you’ve put it in your schedule or not, these are the times you can use for studying.
For example, do you have a 30-minute commute on the tube? Why not read a journal article or go over your notes from your last class?
Another tip here is to use the time you have in the day. Research has shown that our brains cope better during daylight as we’re preparing for sleep after dark.
Studying is a habit and a personal one at that. Finding the time to do it and making sure you’re being regular in your study is the best way of consistently improve.
But finding the methods that work for you is the most important investment you can make during your time at the University of Sunderland in London.
We’d love to hear about your study habits and tips. Share them with the community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #WeAreSunLon.