It’s that time of year. Time to bunker down with a cup of tea and the hundreds of pages of university readings.
So Reading Week is supposed to be about getting work done without the pressure of lectures and copious group assignments and not about lying in bed and binge watching Stranger Things on Netflix (by the way, if you haven’t started watching it you really should!)
We have compiled some tips for you to get through the week and come out of Reading Week with your sanity still intact.
Give yourself a break
Whilst Reading Week is designed to give you time to get through your many readings for your many classes, it is also an opportunity for you to realise you made it through your first month of University. You, a fully-fledged adult made it through Fresher’s week, dorm life, group projects and Monday mornings at 8am. Give yourself a break and remember to not overload yourself with more than you can handle.
Make a plan / to-do lists
You know it is getting serious when “Write To-do List” is actually an item on a separate To-Do list. Make sure you have a plan of how you are going to tackle the different readings on different subjects. A great way of doing this is by writing down all the things that need to be done by the end of the week, breaking these out into smaller goals and giving yourself deadlines. Remember to always prioritise those things with the shortest timeframe and the earliest deadlines. This ensures you don’t panic. You’ve got this!
Once you complete a task, cross it out. Once you start making lists this way it becomes a habit and you won’t believe how beneficial it is later in life.
Find your study space
Everyone has a place where they are able to sit down with a textbook that hasn’t been opened all semester and immediately absorb the information. For me this is in bed, with a bag of Jelly Beans and reruns of Gilmore Girls on in the background. For others, it is Starbucks. Everyone is different. Find your place and make it a routine. This will become your new home come exam period.
Don’t forget to go outside once and a while
There is such a thing as too much reading. Remember to take a break once in a while and do something different. Go to the gym, join that yoga class or just go for a walk through the park. It’s amazing what fresh air can do to your productivity levels. The work will still be there when you get back but clearing your mind for an hour or so will have a positive effect. And writing notes is much easier whilst the endorphins are still pumping through your body after that spin class.
Check out the BeActive Halls timetable for their upcoming classes.
Stay positive
Don’t let the study get you down. Just remember that there are thousands of students going through the same issues. We have a number of services available to help you handle the stress of study. These services have been specifically designed to assist King’s College students and any questions you may have around studying and life in general.
For a complete list of King’s Support service click here.
Make time for yourself
Do what makes you happy. If you are reading and your brain is not taking in the information, it is less likely it will come back to you later on. Don’t stop doing the things you like to do. Take time out of your reading schedule to do things like going to coffee with friends, Netflix, wine and cheese night and cooking.
Connect with others
Chances are there are other people in your residence studying the same things as you. Put the call out via your Facebook group. There are people looking for learning groups and study partners. This is also a great way to make friends and enjoy the aforementioned wine and cheese night.
Don’t forget that life is about new experiences and learning is one of those experiences. Look at the support around you and remember that Winter Break is only 45 days away.
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