Managing your time during your studies

University can feel very different to school or college.

When you get your timetable, it might seem as if you have a lot of free time, but that time can get filled up very quickly with non-study activities if you don’t plan and set aside time for studying.

To help get you off to a good start, follow our top tips:

Use a wall chart or calendar

Get yourself a wall chart or calendar (you’ll get a JMSU one if living in student accommodation or you can collect one at the Freshers Fair) so that you can visualise how you will be spending your time throughout the year. Or if you prefer, set up phone and smart watch reminders to keep you on track.

Note down your classes and deadlines

Note down your classes and all of your assignment deadlines on your calendar so that you can’t be caught out by missing a class or be surprised by the work that needs to be done.

Include independent and group study on your calendar

Make sure you include your independent and group study sessions on your calendar, blocking out time every week to better manage your reading, research, note making, assignment drafting, editing and proof-reading time. For example, for a 3-hour class (lecture and seminar) you should be trying to do around 6 hours of your own study in support of your learning.

Schedule in social, family and cultural events

We know it’s not all about studying, you might have important social, family or cultural events happening throughout the year. Add these to your calendar too so that you can balance your social time with important deadlines.

Tick off things done and reward yourself

Completed something from your calendar? Tick it off and reward yourself - watch a film, meet friends, go to the gym or any other activity you enjoy - so that you create positive associations with studying.

Chose the best place to study for you

Think about where to study, somewhere you can’t be distracted. Do you work better at home or in your student accommodation? Or what about on campus in one of our libraries or IT suites? Choose a space where you can focus.

Check your email and Canvas notifications regularly

And finally, don’t forget to check your LJMU email every day and Canvas regularly. Your tutors will direct your learning each week with recommended reading and writing activities, sending you updates via email or Canvas.

When you organise your time like this, assignments will become more manageable, your stress levels reduce, and your good grades will reflect your hard work and effort.