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It’s just like Benjamin Franklin said: by failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail. Considering this is the man who invented bifocals, signed the Declaration of Independence and flew a kite to show that lightning was electricity, it’s advice worth listening to – especially if you’re studying at university.
Whether you’re putting together a study schedule, working out how to balance work and study, or in the midst of exam cramming, preparation is the key to success (and sanity).
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting organised; everyone’s a bit different. However, if you’re not sure where to start, there are some tried-and-true tips that can help you get organised for uni.
With that in mind, we’ve enlisted the help of Fiona Greig, Deakin University’s Director of Student Experience and Engagement, to give us the lowdown on the best uni organisation tips for students.
Do you prefer working to a tight schedule? If you do, Fiona or Fiona if this our is our convention has some organisation tips for how best to approach your university studies.
‘Students that work well with structure should consider creating a weekly study schedule, finding a study routine that works for them, and accessing Deakin’s study support resources.’
On the other hand, some of us prefer to play it fast and loose. If you’re the type of person who works better without such a regimented structure, that’s okay too – you just have to play to your strengths.
‘The tip for these students is to have their study space, resources and materials ready to go when they are in the right frame of mind and then to set a timer on the activity they want to accomplish, take breaks at regular intervals and have small rewards in place for each achievement,’ Fiona says.
Whether you prefer your uni life to be structured or not, the important thing is to form habits that work for you. ‘Habits can be hard to build but are also hard to break – so my advice is start building good habits fast,’ says Fiona.
One majorly underrated tip is to study in an organised space. If you can find a place where you’re happy to hit the books, you’ll be starting on the right foot. So, choose a study zone where you’ll feel comfortable and productive.
If that’s at home, it’s a great idea to really curate your study space so that it’s both functional and comfortable. On the other hand, if you’d rather study on campus, Fiona recommends finding a spot that works for you – maybe that’s near your favourite campus cafe or a quiet spot in the library.
‘[The library] has amazing tools to help you research for your assessments,’ says Fiona. ’Students lose a lot of time researching for journal articles, reading, reviewing and referencing. Using the Library to help with every one of these steps makes study a lot easier.’
Does it ever feel like your schedule is just working against you? Maybe you have too many classes on the one day. Perhaps your classes clash with other commitments, or you’ve been left with those dreaded timetable gaps that mean you’re hanging around all day just for two lectures.
When it comes to tips for organising those tricky university schedules, one tops our list: plan as early as possible. ‘Use the trimester planner to note down all assessments, quizzes, or tasks,’ Fiona says. ‘Add your timetabled learning activities and set milestones that are achievable.’
And if you’re the type of person who’s happy to leave it to the last minute, Fiona says that it’s still important to have done as much preparation as possible to make your schedule work for you.
If a tricky class schedule is unavoidable, here are some other things you can do to prepare for your semester:
Industry-immersive opportunities, like work integrated learning (WIL) experiences, internships and placements, are incredibly valuable career-building exercises. They allow you to put your classroom learning to the test in a real-life setting, which can help you further hone your skills increase your confidence. Plus, employers love to see them on your resume;
As Fiona notes, ‘These experiences are so important for your future career, but also for your personal development,’ she says. ‘To make the most of the experience you need to allow time to learn and develop new skills.’
There are a few ways you can make the balance easier:
There’s a similar school of thought when it comes to juggling a job while studying.
‘Balancing study and personal life involves creating a weekly study schedule that includes time for study, work, leisure activities or exercise, and social events,’ says Fiona ‘It’s important to maintain a healthy balance and adapt your schedule as needed while staying committed to achieving your study goals.’
One final point – if study and work commitments are bringing up financial challenges for you, the Australian Government has some good resources on student life and money.
We’re talking about uni organisation tips, but what about life organisation tips? Fiona has two suggestions if you’re hoping to get on top of your life admin this year.:
The great thing about these uni organisation tips is that, while they should hopefully be helpful in the short term while you’re studying, good planning and organisation is a life-long skill. As Fiona Fiona reminds us, the skills you develop now will only become more valuable once you graduate.
‘Everything you learn about organising yourself for uni, you will use as you move into your career and throughout each role or position you take up in the future,’ she says. ‘Good organisational skills remove additional stress and pressure, reduce cognitive load, and help you achieve more than you thought you could.’
Director Student Experience and Engagement
