Written by Emily Cross
It’s that time of year. You’ve completed sessions 1 and 2 and you’re ready to kick back, relax and unwind…well, for some. I like to think of session 3 as a blank slate with various opportunities.
During session 3, many students like to hit the beach, do some travelling or just binge watch their favourite show. For others, it’s a perfect time to keep their head down and power through additional subjects or work placement. But what if I told you that you can do both!
Juggling work, home and a social life over the holidays can be challenging, but with some tips and tricks you can ensure your session 3 is a success.
The session 3 period from early November to late February not-so conveniently goes through Christmas and New Years! You’re trying to pick up extra shifts to pay off those Christmas presents, keep up with lectures and readings plus spend time with family and friends. It can be a juggle, becoming tiring quickly.
The good news is, by the end of this period you will be a pro in expert time management. You will feel ahead, decrease your study load moving forward and feel more prepared to resume study for the next year. There have been a number of strategies I have implemented into my session 3 study that have allowed me to balance all the busy aspects of life with studying.
As mentioned, time management will be your best friend over the session, plus i’ll share some must haves to get you through!
The most important thing I implement into my session 3 study is scheduling. This is a complete life saver. At the start of the session, I will get out my calendar and slot in all due dates for assessments and exams, when I’m working and other commitments. This gives you a chance to carve out some time in between to rest and plan some fun activities. Go on a coffee date with a friend or head to the movies.
Use smart study sessions! When assigning time to study find a quiet space without distraction, pop those headphones on and take regular breaks every 20 or 30 minutes. This is proven to refresh your brain, improve focus, and reduce stress. I like to add a reward for after my study to keep me motivated, like a sweet treat or plan a small walk.
Making use of all of the services and facilities available to you will also increase success. Remember that your lecturers are backing you! Reach out if you need help with course work or feel as though you need an extension (those 7 day automatic extensions come in really handy this time of year! Click here to read more). If your still on campus, head to the library in the air conditioning, make use of the free snacks and quiet space.
On that note ill share some of my must have items I can’t live without whilst studying:
Summer Study Survival Kit
· a good pair of noise cancelling headphones to block out the noisy housemates or family
· water (have to stay hydrated !)
· fan / aircon = staying cool calm and collected
· a planner (keep visible in your room for deadlines to stay front of mind)
· book / new obsession show (having something to wind down with in the midst of the chaos)
So, session 3 doesn’t have to be a dreadful 4 months of tireless study, work hard and play hard and make session 3 your own kind of success.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
