Now we are a good few weeks into this academic year it is likely that you have a substantial pile of work that is ever-growing. Although it might seem a little overwhelming at first you can get through it! In this article I’ll be sharing some of my tips for getting on top of all your work early, in the hope that this can help you manage your workload better.
Break it down into smaller chunks
This may seem fairly obvious but when you have big tasks or assignments try breaking these down into smaller more manageable chunks. Not only does doing this keep you focussed but it also gives you a greater sense of achievement as you go because you do not only complete something when you finish, but you complete the smaller steps along the way. This is a great way to spread larger pieces of work out rather than leaving it all to be done in one go right before the deadline.
Use to do lists
To do lists are proven to be effective for increasing productivity and better managing workload. At the start of the week if you write a (sometimes very lengthy) list of tasks for the week, if you can get them all done by the end of the week it will set you up in a great place for the week after. Doing a weekly list allows more flexibility as you can do the tasks whenever during the week, but if you need more structure, why not try a daily list. For more information on using to do lists effectively check out my article “Can to do lists really work?”.
Set deadlines
Personally, I find if I have a long time period to do an assignment it is likely to not be started straight away. I noticed this wasn’t very effective so now I set myself deadlines. Setting deadlines can really help you get on top of your work early. Even if your submission date is months away make a start as soon as you get it and set deadlines for when you are going to get the smaller chunks mentioned above done. If you have a diary this could be as simple as adding some to do list points to the start of each week in your calendar with a deadline of when each point will be completed by.
Get help
During lectures make a note of the things you do not understand. Research these topics independently and if you still need more support then you can reach out to an academic or peer. Getting this support early will help you when it comes to adding to this knowledge later in your uni life as well as it being helpful for assignments/work that includes content you struggle with.
Understand you might never completely be on top of it and that’s okay
Do you feel like as soon as you’ve completed a task you already have 5 more to do? Whilst at uni that isn’t irregular but by using the tips mentioned above you can try to manage it. Recognising that your workload is large and still trying to tackle it the best you can is crucial to getting on top of your work early. If you still find your workload overwhelming try reaching out to your personal tutor or getting support through the university student support or wellbeing services.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it has given you some ideas on how you can manage your uni work a little better. There is plenty more article and videos created by students for students here on the student life website so why not see what else you can find, as there is likely to be content perfect for you!
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