Making a study comeback

After weeks of seasonal festivities (and/or self-isolation!), the return to university and all the pressures and deadlines that accompany it may seem a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips, from fellow UCL student Laura, on how to manoeuvre yourself into the best position for a study comeback. These simple dos and don’ts will have you ready for the year in no time.

Do:

• Do make a schedule to get back into a routine. Make sure to check your impending deadlines and write a weekly or daily schedule accordingly. The act of writing a schedule will make you feel in control and divide your academic load into manageable chunks. Remember to factor in breaks and plenty of free time; a schedule needs to be balanced to be effective!
• Do write lists – they are your best logistical friend! Many psychological studies show that list writing helps motivate you, thereby making you more likely to accomplish a task you have set yourself. Keep a detailed list of duties that you consistently update, but remember to not overreach yourself – some chores really can wait!

Don’t:

• Don’t expect you will be able to jump into your study rhythm as you left it before the break. You will most likely find it difficult to concentrate at the beginning, staring blankly at the computer screen for hours. It’s better to avoid diving straight into the deep end; instead, increase your study rhythm gradually, initially setting yourself a manageable two to three hours of study a day.
• Don’t leave your study comeback to the last minute. Doing so will mean that the pressure will build and tire you before the second term has even fully begun. Start slowly, preferably even before classes begin. A good trick to make sure you don’t procrastinate is to make early appointments with professors regarding your upcoming assessments, forcing you to manage your time far in advance.

Lousie Alestam Edman, BA student in History with a European Language