Studying at university is one of the most important things you will ever do. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most difficult things you will ever do. Being away from home and fending for yourself while also trying to work through some of the hardest education you are ever likely to interact with would be a dreadful experience at the best of times, but at the same time, many must try desperately to secure a solid job to help support them throughout their time at university. All of this comes together to make university an incredibly difficult experience, which is why this article aims to suggest ways to make it easier.
1. Find a Study Buddy
One of the most important aspects of your time at university is the time you dedicate to learning the materials important for your course, which means it’s important for you to make the time you spend studying as enjoyable as possible. A great way to improve your enjoyment of time spent studying is to find a study buddy to study with you. By finding a study buddy, not only will you make the time you spend studying less boring, but you’ll also increase both of your chances of understanding and getting to grips with the materials quicker. Two heads are better than one, as they say.
2. Take a Laptop with You
Another useful way to make your time at university less difficult is to bring a laptop with you. If you can get your hands on a good, fast laptop, then you will find it much easier to keep your study materials and notes all together neatly. There are usually some great student discounts laptops available, so have a look around and find something that is in your price range.
3. Attend Everything
It might sound obvious, but there is always a temptation to skip when you are entirely responsible for getting yourself into class. However, you will find that even if you don’t think you are comprehending the material, just being present in class will help to improve your understanding and interaction with the course content. By making sure that you show up to everything, you give yourself your best chance to do well.
4. Make Handwritten Notes
It might sound counter-intuitive, but you should be making handwritten notes, even if you bring your laptop in with you. This is because when making notes by hand, you won’t be able to keep up with the pace that your professor speaks at, and you will have to paraphrase in your notes. When you paraphrase when taking notes, you have to process what is being said and express it in a shorter way, which means you are engaging with the content far more than when you simply type up your notes.
5. Start Your Coursework Early
When you start the work earlier, you have far longer to interact with the concepts and flesh out your interaction with the topics. You’ll find that you produce better work when you give yourself longer to interact with it. So, do yourself a favor and give yourself as much time as possible to do the work.
6. Read the Additional Reading
There is very little to say about this. The more you know about your course, the better off you’ll be, so take the time to read the additional reading. You’ll be glad you did.
