If you think that student life is all work and no
play, forget what you’ve heard! Even in the most theory-heavy and
time-consuming courses, it’s still possible to do well in your classes and have
fun at the same time.
Don’t believe us? Read on as we show you how.
Work out your action plan
‘Doing well’
is very subjective — after all, everyone has different expectations of
themselves.Once you know what doing well means for you, it’s easier to think
about how you’ll get there and put an appropriate plan into action. It also helps if you have a goal
in mind for the end of your course, such as gaining entry into an honors program or landing a graduate
position. When you know
what you’re aiming for, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated and keep yourself
going — even when you find yourself studying on a Saturday night. It’s much
easier to fit your life in around your studies when you know you’re on track to
achieve your goal.
Manage your assessment stress levels
If you tend
to get stressed when homework and assessments pile up (and who doesn’t?), think
about how you can manage your stress levels. If written assignments are your
weakness, the key is to plan ahead. Take note of the due date and plan out when
you’ll conduct your research, when you’ll put together your draft and when
you’ll edit your work. If exams worry you, set aside some time to plan out when
you will cover each assessable topic and remember to ask your lecturer or tutor
for assistance if you need a refresher of something covered in class. It also
helps to inject some fun into your study routine — why not study with friends
or plan an unconventional study session, perhaps at the beach or a local park?
Avoid social hibernation
Balancing
commitments is an important lesson of student life. During semester, this means
finding time for work and study, but also your social life. Remember that
choosing to study and social hibernation don’t go hand in hand, no matter how
intensive your coursework may be. Exams and assignments can make catching up
with friends a little tough, but not impossible, so long as you manage your
time effectively and keep up with your studies. In fact, meeting up with
friends is a great temporary study escape and can help to alleviate stress.
Get involved
Showing up to
compulsory classes (and running for the door the minute they end) isn’t what
student life is about. The best way to have fun in your course is to get
involved, so why not investigate some of the extracurricular options on campus?
You’ll find groups dedicated to just about anything — from academics to
surprisingly niche hobby groups. There will also be opportunities to sign up
for student committees (to organize
the faculty ball, for instance) or to gain some experience related to your
course. If you’re majoring in politics, for example, you could consider running
in the student election. If you’re studying communications, look for
opportunities to write for the student magazine. Look out for work experience
programs too — time and time again, graduates report that these opportunities
were a highlight of their course experience. It won’t hurt to have these
experiences on your resume, either.
Stay active
Staying active doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the
gym for hours each day, but it definitely helps to do some exercise throughout
the week. Staying fit is not only great for your physical health but also gives
your brain a boost, which is particularly helpful when you’re drowning in
assessments. Another plus is that it helps to alleviate stress (even if you can
only commit to a quick jog around the block every second day). You’ll also find
that many institutions — most universities and a number of TAFEs and private providers
— have gyms and wellness centers on
campus, which usually offer discounted student rates and much of the same
services you’d find at your local fitness centre, such as personal trainers and
group classes.
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