Going back to uni after the festive period is never easy.
You probably consumed your body weight in mince pies and chocolate, had numerous lie-ins and got to enjoy your parents’ home-cooking, after months of whipping up your own meals at student accommodation.
Are we right?
Though it can be tough getting back into the routine of attending lectures and revising for more exams in semester 2, simple things like writing a to-do list and connecting with other students on your course can all help make it that little bit easier.
Let’s take a look at what you can do between now and May.
5 tips for students going into their second semester
1. Be organised
Some people are naturally more organised than others and have no issue juggling their studies with their social life. However, this can be easier said than done for others.
If you haven’t already got a diary or a calendar hung on the wall in your room at student accommodation in Bolton, we highly advise you get one. This will allow you to plan your study sessions (both at uni and the library) and arrange your social plans around these – providing the perfect balance between work and play.
2. Get plenty of sleep
Been studying hard for an exam? Stayed up late the night before finishing an assignment? Whilst your revision won’t do itself, it’s important to allow your mind and body to rest.
Experts recommend getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night. Too much sleep puts you at greater risk of health conditions, whereas not enough sleep will leave you feeling sluggish and more irritable the next day.
It may seem daft, but having a bedtime routine – going to bed and waking up at a similar time every day – will help you to be more productive at uni.
3. Use time management apps
Timekeeping not really your strong point? Don’t worry, there are a plethora of smartphone apps that can help you to manage your time better – including Fantastical.
This multi-award-winning calendar comes with a variety of features that make it easier for you to manage your tasks. With a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly view of your calendar, you can also tick off items on your schedule as you go – helping you to be more efficient (and on-time) in semester 2.
4. Take notes
Lecturers often cram lots of information into their study sessions – all things that will come in useful for your exams and beyond.
Whilst you might think you’ve got an excellent memory, it’s worth jotting the important stuff down, so you can recap further down the line when your exams are looming.
There are lots of ways you can make notes – for example, you could take pen to paper and write a list, create a mind-map and use different coloured pens to highlight the critical information. Alternatively, you could use your phone and refer back to your notes when you’ve got a spare few minutes (i.e. when you’re waiting for the bus or before your morning lectures etc).
5. Join clubs and societies
Most first-year students are eager to make new friends, and joining the university’s sports teams and societies is a brilliant way to do exactly that.
The University of Bolton is one of the most socially inclusive universities in the country, offering a vast range of clubs and societies, including (but not limited to) basketball, cricket, football, chess, plogging (a new concept of jogging and picking up litter) and film FX.
If you’re not already a member of one of the many clubs on offer, we highly recommend you become one. Not only will it allow you to meet like-minded people but it will also help you to take your mind off your studies for a short while, reducing stress. And let’s face it, in your second semester, you want to get the grades you deserve whilst enjoying your university experience.
These are just a few things that will help you to feel more settled in your second semester.
Of course, you want to have all the amenities you need at arm’s length. And, luckily, our student accommodation in Bolton comes with a comfy bed for sleeping, a desk and chair for studying and a fully equipped kitchen to whip up tasty (yet nutritional) food to give you energy for your studies.
To find out more about our facilities, or to arrange a viewing, why not give us a call on 01204 903 488? We’d love to hear from you and answer your questions.