7 Top Tips for Surviving Exam Season and Assignment Deadlines

Treating yourself to some new stationery can also help with motivation. Go crazy with flashcards, overload on highlighters, keep your folders organized, write down notes, use post-its, and quiz yourself – anything to keep up the study momentum.

Unless you really struggle to study with others, your fellow students can be a great source of help. Planning days and times when you can all study together is more likely to mean that you keep to the schedule and get the work done.

You’ll all have your own study styles which can be a great advantage, as it’s more than likely some of you will know things the others don’t, and vice versa. 

Studying at home can be difficult if your housemates are crashing around outside your bedroom, or you find yourself scrolling through social media every five minutes. Even the classic trick of having the TV on as background noise can end up with you staring at it for two hours rather than at your notes.

In the case of loud housemates, it could be a good idea to let them know you’re going to be spending the next few hours studying, so you’d appreciate it if they could keep noise levels down to a minimum – *cue Ross from Friends doing his volume hands*.

For anything else, clearing your desk, opening a window, letting natural light fill the room, and having a nice set up of your notes, laptop and stationery around you can be just what you need to get motivated.

For those who really struggle to study at home, many universities have dedicated silent study spaces and modern facilities for students to take advantage of. Queen’s University Belfast students can study in the CS Lewis Reading Room which offers a tranquil study space with glass-engraved inscriptions lining the walls from the Belfast-born author’s world-renowned Chronicles of Narnia to help keep students motivated.

It’s ok to ask for help – whether it’s from your lecturer, class colleagues, friends and family. If it’s specific to your course, then speaking with your lecturer would be a good first port of call. If it’s something that’s more personal, your tutor or university’s wellbeing service are always on hand to answer any questions or worries you may have.

Just remember, as stressful as university can be, you’re never on your own, and there’s always somebody who can help.

And finally, remembering to stay physically and mentally healthy is also key. Brain food isn’t just an Instagram fad, as research has proven certain meals and snacks can help you while you’re studying.

It’ll also do you some good to get outside for a walk or a run each day to refresh yourself and clear your mind.