Life Hacks For Students: Balancing Studies and Personal Life

Your college years are an incredibly bright, active, and challenging time. Relish it!

From the first year to the last, from admission to graduation – I’ve put together life hacks for students for each of the intense study periods. Below, you’ll find some of the top life hacks that will allow you to thrive and slay your study tasks – virtuoso style.

Why should you embrace these tips for students?

For most students, the university is a way to prolong childhood, and after graduation, they are still searching for a goal in life. To avoid finding yourself in such a dire situation, spend your years at school or university as efficiently as possible. Like any other student, I used to have some issues with academic writing, so I decided to write my paper with the help of qualified writers and focus on other crucial tasks (like studying for a major exam or thinking about my startup). Time is of the essence, so I’ve prepared a couple of recommendations that will boost your study efforts. Let’s check them out right now.

Find Your Study Style

It is easier for some students to work in a group, for others – independently. Some people’s performance in the morning is just off the scale, and someone else’s brain turns on only after 6:00 PM. Some absorb information audibly, others visually. Someone can understand and think even in the subway, or at a rock concert, and for others, a calmer atmosphere is best. Each of the study styles is unique, with its advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to choose the right study style for you to make the learning process as effective as possible.

Work on the Principle of C-R-E-M-I

The secret of a successful study session lies in the C-R-E-M-I strategy, each component of which corresponds to certain skills: C – creativity. The ability to apply non-standard approaches and use imagination in solving certain tasks. R – reflection. The skill of analyzing the information received and getting knowledge based on it, as well as the ability to evaluate one’s work and achievements. E – efficiency. The ability to prioritize, and effectively manage your resources (time, strength, emotions). M – motivation. A clear understanding of the result of a particular work, the expediency of certain actions to achieve the goal, the ability to maintain a working pace, and attitude. I – initiative. Expressing initiative in the learning process.

Remember that Your Career Starts at the University

Universities provide not only theoretical knowledge but also practical, real-world skills. Besides the narrowly focused skills required in certain fields, you gain skills that will be useful to representatives of any profession: teamwork, writing, creative thinking, and stress tolerance.

Study by yourself

Engage in introspection to record your goals and the steps taken to achieve them, successes, and failures. Analyze your emotional state: which activity gives you the most pleasure, and which one you need to force yourself to do. Periodically review your notes. They will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, as well as decide how and which skill should be developed.

Top Life Hacks for Living in a Dorm:

Usually, dorm conflicts arise because of:

• mismatch of biorhythms;
• differences in mentality, attitude, upbringing, or character;
• lifestyle;
• everyday issues, including different ideas about cleanliness;
• respect for personal boundaries;
• rest habits.

Fortunately, most of these issues are easily solved if they are discussed. The sooner you do it, the better. But sometimes, you’ll simply need to change your roommate. Don’t hesitate to do this if necessary. Study your style.

Don’t argue with your roommates or flatmates

It’s not advisable to argue with your roommates and other people on campus. These are people with whom you will have to live together for quite a long time, so why spoil your relationship with them? Don’t be selfish. Instead, be friendly and patient. Consider it a contribution to the future, because one day you may need help.

Qualities without which it will be difficult to survive in a dorm:

• ability to negotiate;
• resourcefulness;
• sense of humor;
• patience;
• the ability to share.

Top Life Hacks for the Exam Period:

1. Submit tasks on time

The exam period is a time when nerves are on edge, so why complicate everything with missed deadlines? In such conditions, you can easily bring yourself to emotional exhaustion and burnout. They occur during the exams because of the high load. Start preparing in advance so as not to increase stress. Then you won’t have to write an abstract in a hurry, and then run around looking for a place to print it.

2. Repeat the information at intervals

So that the questions in the exam do not seem to be something new and unexplored, study the subject during the semester. It is convenient to use the technique of spaced repetition. The repetition intervals need to be increased. For example, first, read the abstract a week after the lecture, then two weeks later, a month later, and so on. Then you will not have to learn everything from scratch for the exam. You will only have to refresh the material.

3. Tune in mentally

The results of the exams will not get better if you shake with fear before each exam or test. Try to cope with your feelings. There are a lot of exams, and if you worry, then there simply won’t be enough nerves and strength for the whole exam period. Be sure to get some sleep, relaxation, and meditation. It is the best thing you can do before the exam. You will think more actively and remember faster.

4. Learn at least half of the information necessary to pass each exam

If the subject is very difficult, and you understand that you’ll not master all the questions, learn at least half of the material. Most often, tests are formed by dividing the list of questions in half. With a confident answer, a good score is in your pocket. Just run through the second part of the material with your eyes to navigate the topic.

Life Hacks for Freshmen:

1. Use the students’ privileges

You can receive various benefits with a student card. For example, many cinemas and museums give a discount to students, and catering establishments offer to participate in various promotions.

2. Create an online chat with classmates

Being in touch with classmates will be useful not only in the first year but also in the future. Choose a social media or messenger that would be convenient for everyone and create a shared chat. Use it to inform about news, study assignments, and just for communication. This will help everyone get to know each other and rally faster.

3. Don’t ignore student associations

Each university has its student unions. The most common is the trade union committee. This is an organization that protects the rights of students and helps them. You can learn from them about the benefits that are available to you as a student, and members of the trade union committee can take part in various seminars and study trips. Besides the trade union committee, the university can have various creative activities, sports, and scientific associations. Can you sing or play football well? This will make your life more active and more diverse.

4. Communicate with older students

Older students are a storehouse of useful information for beginners. Information about teachers, life hacks about easy exams, help with test papers — all this you can easily get if you ask for help from colleagues from senior courses.

Useful Tips for Graduates

Diplomas, exams, graduation – these questions are occupied by the heads of undergraduates. However, finding a job after graduation is even more anxiety-provoking. The first year after graduation is not so important for a career, so do not worry if you can’t find a suitable job quickly. Try yourself in different places, gain experience, and develop the necessary skills. Be prepared for the fact that the first job will not suit you in many ways. You don’t have to stay there forever. There is nothing wrong with the fact that you may not like something. Have you gained enough experience at this place? Look for something else. Do not give up after rejections. “No” in one place does not mean that in another you will not be told “yes”. If you search hard, sooner or later you will find a place that suits you and that you will suit. Be more flexible in choosing a job, then you will have more options. Don’t forget about networking. Perhaps during your studies, you have found useful business contacts and acquaintances. If not, it’s never too late to develop your network. In professional activity, it is useful to have acquaintances from different fields. Next up, you may want to explore a guide to services that make college life easier.