Heading off to university is a huge transition. One of the biggest challenges is meeting the higher academic standards, which is often difficult due to the amount of freedom you suddenly have. For instance, a major aspect of university is making new friends and socializing, but this may interfere with your studies if you’re not disciplined. To make sure you give your academics the attention they deserve at the same time as having great experiences and making lifelong friends, here are a few things you can do.
1. Add Key Dates to Your Calendar
When you become aware of an important date, add it to your calendar. This should include deadlines for big assignments, exams, trips, and important social events. You’ll then be able to work backwards, such as dividing up work on a project over several weeks before it’s due and making sure you finish your homework ahead of time if you know you’ll be away for a weekend.
2. Create a Weekly Routine
Having a schedule is a great way to stay on track with due dates while striking a balance between academics and socializing. At the start of every semester, decide what your weekly routine will look like, taking into account all your fixed activities, like classes, study groups, and clubs. Then, fit all your other commitments around these. Particularly important is finding the time for homework — for every one hour of classes, expect to dedicate two hours to homework.
Keep the rest of your schedule free. This will enable you to take advantage of any invitations to social events and unexpected adventures that pop up without worrying about them cutting into your study time.
3. Use All Your Time
At university, it’s common to have breaks throughout the day between classes and clubs. Take advantage of these small pockets for studying and socializing. For instance, half an hour may be enough time to finish your required readings in the campus library or catch up with a friend over coffee. As a result, you’ll have more time later in the day for activities that take longer.
4. Stay Focused
Focus on one activity at a time. If you try to multitask, you won’t be giving your studies your full attention (meaning your homework will take longer and the quality will suffer) and you won’t be completely there for your friends. Choose spots to study where you won’t be distracted, don’t use sessions with your study group as a chance to socialize, and put away your phone whenever you don’t need it.
5. Set Limits
Remember you are trying to strike a healthy balance. This means making sure you spend plenty of time with your friends but also being ready to turn down invitations if you know you should be studying. Similarly, it means ensuring you study enough, but it doesn’t mean going overboard. If you’re on track to meet your deadlines, allow yourself to take a break.
Something that will make a big difference when balancing your academics and social life is your student housing. Kingston has the ultimate student living community at Foundry Princess. You’ll be able to study more effectively because you’ll have a desk in your private bedroom as well as access to multiple individual and group study areas. Plus, you’ll be able to socialize without leaving the building. Just a few of our outstanding amenities include a community clubhouse, a rooftop patio, and an outdoor swimming pool. Contact us now for a lease.
