Whether you’re in your first, second or third year at university, finding the time to juggle your studies with your social life and a part-time job can be easier said than done.
But here at Orlando Village, we want to assure you that you’re not on your own. Many students struggle to keep on top of things while they’re at uni, mostly because they aren’t organised.
Here we share 5 top tips to help you get yourself organised – leaving you with more time and money, not to mention a heck of a lot less stress.
1. Keep a diary
Call us old-fashioned, but having a diary is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get more organised and reduce stress levels.
It doesn’t need to be massive – just big enough to fit in your bag so you can make a note of any upcoming events (i.e. birthdays, exams, coursework deadlines or hot dates).
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy carrying a diary around with you, you could always use the calendar on your phone. The chances are you’ll always have it in your hand or pocket, meaning you can easily check your busy schedule.
2. Write a to-do list
Often wondered why your friends make a ‘to-do’ list without fail every morning?
If you’ve got a pile of coursework to get through, or jobs that need doing at your student accommodation, jotting them down on a piece of paper (or in your diary) will help you to stay on track and make the most of your time.
When writing a to-do list, the trick is to be realistic. Try not to cram too much into one day as you’ll end up transferring unfinished tasks onto the next day – meaning you’ll have even more to do tomorrow!
3. Get enough sleep
Without sounding like Mum and Dad, it’s crucial that you’re not staying up late into the early hours – either chatting with your mates or completing that essay that was due yesterday.
It’s recommended that you get between 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Anything less, and you’re bound to feel exhausted and grouchy before you even make it to your 9am lecture.
Our best advice is to get into the habit of going to sleep at a reasonable time and avoid drinking caffeine in the afternoon. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel – plus, you’ll probably be more motivated to tackle the jobs on your to-do list!
4. Use folders and labels
Although you’ll have your own desk in your room at student accommodation, lever arch folders will soon become your best friend at uni. These will allow you to separate your lecture notes from your coursework and any other paper documents you need to keep safe, making them easier to find.
Keeping papers in plastic wallets and using coloured labels will also help you to be more organised and ensure nothing goes missing.
If you really wanted, you could use Tupperware to store your food in the fridge and freezer so you know what’s what. And to stop your flatmates from pinching your stuff, use labels to let them know it belongs to you.
5. Prepare meals in advance
Finding the time to make a shopping list isn’t easy when you’ve already got 101 things to do. However, writing a weekly menu before heading out to the supermarket is a sure-fire way to save time and money.
Batch cooking your fave meals will allow you to pop the leftovers in the fridge – ready to enjoy at a later date. Or you can freeze them and ping them in the microwave sometime next week, or the week after that, when you don’t have the time (or energy) to cook something from scratch.
Follow these 5 tips and you won’t go far wrong!
If you have any questions – about life at our student accommodation in Bolton or how to be more organised at university – you’re welcome to contact the friendly team at Orlando Village.
Either give us a call on 01204 903 488 or email info@orlandovillage.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
