Welcome to another blogmas post! I hope you are all well. Today’s post is all about balancing university work during the festive season. Some of us will have quite a few deadlines and exams coming up that we need to focus on for January. It’s a shame that the timing makes it so that revision and work has to be done during the holidays over December but needs must. I’m going to share how you can balance this work out, and offer my tips on the best way to plan out your work effectively. Let’s get to it!
Decide what works best for you
What I mean by this is decide whether you want do a little bit of revision and work every day or do you want to set aside days where you specifically focus on revision and university work? For me, I like to set aside days where I focus purely on revision and work. This is so I can really focus on myself and being with my family on the days where I’m busy. So, for me, there will be no revision or work for definite on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and potentially Boxing Day. However, if you decide to work every day, that’s okay too!
Work out which planner system you want to use
The next step is working out the planner system you want to use to help with deciding on when to do your university work. You may want to use a planner, as this is something you have already used and it’s something you’re familiar and comfortable with. Like me, you may use your Bullet Journal and create specific spreads to help with planning out when to do your work. You could also use a revision timetable, whatever works best for you!
Make a list of everything you need to get done
It is really important that you make a note of the deadlines and exams you have. However, I would also make a note of the steps you need to take. If you have an assignment due, what do you need to do to complete it? If you have exams, what revision do you need to do? Here’s an example:
I have an assignment that is due on say 10th January. Instead of putting ‘do assignment work’ within the planning system, I would put the different steps needed to complete the assignment. This would be:
- go over the relevant lectures and seminars
- brainstorm around the question
- do extensive research and build up sources
- plan out the question
- write the essay
- proof read 3 times
- add references
- submit the assignment
Your list might end up long, but it gives you an idea of exactly what it is you’re planning for.
Within your planning system, make a note of the events you have coming up and plan around them
This time of year is all about spending time with family, so it’s important these events still go ahead. You’re wanting to balance your university work, not let it consume your life. Cancelling any events that involve spending time with friends or family is a no.
Start to plan
Once all of the other steps are completed, you need to start planning. Ensure you plan for the entire holiday to keep yourself accountable. Make sure to allow days off so you don’t burn out.
I hope this helps in some way. Thank you for reading and I will see you tomorrow for another post.
Beth
Beth Olivia 