Don't Panic - try these study tips

Panic is a common default when it comes to the last weeks of study and assignments. We’ve all gone round in circles stressing and wasting energy rather than getting on with the task ahead.  Even the dishes or cleaning the loo can seem more interesting than that pending assignment! We feel your pain. Here are a few tips from people in our team who have been successful in their study.

Approaching your study

• Breathe!
• Break down what you have to do into manageable sized chunks, so that it is not overwhelming, and you can tick off what you have achieved
• Plan your time out using colours, tables, calendars etc to set a schedule that is aesthetically pleasing
• Give yourself micro breaks every 20 minutes. This will make you more productive overall
• Set small goals with rewards – i.e. study for x amount of time/complete portion of assignment then reward with an episode of your favourite Netflix show or a 15-30 minute break and a snack or quick walk
• Take note of what you achieve as you go - pat yourself on the back and reward yourself for achievements. It can be surprising how much you’ve done without recognising it
• Remember to breathe!

Look after yourself

• Do something else to give your brain a rest from studying – baking, cooking, painting, crafts, yoga, listening to music.
• Check out your self-talk – are you being positive with what you say to yourself
• Exercise – get outside (without devices) and get moving. It does help your mood and reduce stress levels to be present in a different environment
• ‘A problem shared is a problem solved’. If you are feeling alone, talk to someone so you don’t feel isolated. This often helps normalise how you’re feeling
• Check your sleep hygiene – ensure that there are no devices in your bedroom and stop accessing devices well before you head for bed. For some people, it is a good idea to have no caffeine in the afternoon/evening.
• Connect with a Bright Side Health Coach to learn more about stress busters that will work for you
• Check out some awesome articles on My CareerLab for ways to cope with stress

Afterwards

When you lift your head away from exams and assignments, come and talk to us if you're wanting help with CVs, job search tools, LinkedIn etc.