As we settle down into the new academic year our Student Advocates give their top tips for studying at university. For more study skills support from our advocates come and talk to them at our drop-ins at the Study Skills Hub in Senate House.
Upgrade to University
The most significant difference I noticed between school and university is the increased autonomy in how we study. Unlike in school, we have access to options like Re/Play and Livestream, which allow for more flexible learning. This independence necessitates stronger time management skills, as the responsibility for our learning falls more heavily on us.
– Emma Lau, Veterinary Science, Year 5.
Perhaps the biggest difference in comparing university to A-levels is having much more freedom – both time-wise and content-wise – and this can be both exciting and daunting. In my experience the Arts and Humanities courses give a lot of information on broad topics within your subject, and you can choose to investigate things more or less depending on how interesting you find them. One of my top tips would be to check well in advance when your assessments are and how you are being examined, because at university it is up to you to structure your learning around your own interests and what you think will help you excel in your assessments.
– Rachel Shortall, English and Philosophy, Year 2.
At the start of each unit or topic you’ll be given Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). These tell you what you’re expected to learn. I found it helpful to revisit them when reviewing for exams or assignments. If you can tick off the ILOs, you’re on the right track. Each unit at university can also have a different approach to learning, as each one will have different learning outcomes. Some may provide asynchronous videos for you to watch before attending lectures, while others might require you to complete problem sheets in advance. Stay flexible, and adjust your study habits accordingly.
– Yifan Qiao, Aerospace Engineering, Year 4
For more help on transitioning to studying at university level see our Upgrade to University online resource.
Managing your time
During my first year, I used Trello to create a structured weekly schedule that helped me to prioritize tasks by focusing on what was most important and urgent, set reminders for upcoming deadlines, and create detailed to-do lists to track my progress. I color-coded tasks based on their urgency and subject, making it easy to see what needed immediate attention. Aditionally, I applied the Pomodoro Technique, where I studied for a set amount of time followed by a short break.
– Eliana Garcia, Mechanical and electrical Engineering, Year 3
Keep track of deadlines and obligations with a to-do list! Whether you prefer a physical list or an app like Things 3 (my personal favourite), writing things down is key. As soon as you become aware of a deadline or other task coming up, jot it down into your to-do list. Then, once you have a moment, make a plan for when and how you’re going to tackle it. If you make this a habit you will be sure to stay on top of all of your deadlines.
– Josh Perry, Physics, Year 4
Break tasks into smaller goals and set deadlines. I used to procrastinate when faced with long essays because I felt like I had to sit down and write the whole thing in one go, which seemed impossible. So I started breaking it down into daily goals that fit into my routine. On day one, I might spend 30 minutes gathering sources and skimming them for useful quotes. The next day, I’d dedicate an hour to outlining the essay and drafting a plan. By day three, I’d aim to write just 300–500 words at a time. Taking it step by step not only made the process feel less overwhelming but also gave me the satisfaction of ticking off smaller accomplishments throughout the week.
– Maansi Gupta, Economics, Year 3
For more tips on managing your time check out our Time Management online resource.
Taking notes
Particularly in first year note taking can be very much a ‘trial and error’ process. You may take too many or too few, or note down something you believe to be super important which then turns out to be useless, so my first tip is: don’t worry if you get it wrong. Like with a lot of things at uni, with time you’ll figure out what works for you.
My second tip is to always think ‘how am I being assessed in this module? What will the essay or exam be on?’ and then identify what information is necessary for this assessment.
– Dylan Webster-Deakin, French and Italian, Year 4
I would suggest using first year to try out different methods of note-taking and studying to find a good routine that works for you. As most students like to take notes and study digitally, there are numerous apps and sites that are available to try. Examples that I often hear about or have used include Goodnotes, Notion, Anki and OneNote. The best way to find what works for you is to try them out, and if it isn’t working don’t be afraid to change it up and try another, or use a combination of methods.
– Ana Maria FB, Veterinary Science (BVSc1)
OneNote has been amazing to have different tabs for each module – it’s done wonders for my organisation! I’d also say having a Notes section on your phone with a ‘plan of the day’ makes it much easier to structure your time. For those with closed-book exams, active recall is your best friend! Lots of people use flashcard apps, e.g. Quizlet or Anki to continually review high-yield content from previous lectures and keep that information fresh in your mind.
– Shraddha Sriraman, Medicine, Year 4
Personally, I found both OneNote and Notion useful for digital note taking. However, different people may prefer different applications. Therefore, I recommend considering the following factors when picking your note taking tool:
- Compatibility: Ensure the tool integrates well with the university’s systems (e.g., syncs with Outlook).
- User Interface: Choose a tool with a layout and design that appeals to you and is easy to navigate.
- Features: Look for features that match your needs, such as task prioritization, reminders, or progress tracking.
- Accessibility: Consider whether you need access across multiple devices (computer, phone, tablet).
- Learning Curve: Evaluate how much time you’re willing to invest in learning a new system.
– Emma Lau, Veterinary Science, Year 5
For more support with note-taking check out our Making and Using Notes online resource.
Other study skills top tips
Study with a buddy! Having a study buddy not only makes learning more fun, but it can also be helpful for group assessments, which are more common in uni. Collaborating with others can deepen your understanding and give you new perspectives on the material.
– Yifan Qiao, Aerospace Engineering, Year 4
Create a structured system, such as a mind map, to understand the interconnectedness of your units. Branch out core concepts and methods for each unit and identify the overlaps with other units. Use the map as a study tool – always ask how new concepts relate to others, link the theory and the data, and see the big picture.
– Dana Gutu, Economics, Year 3
Take a good rest when you are tired and don’t feel guilty; I have experiences staying up late until 2am or 3am, and that makes me work less effectively in the long run. When you feel really tired it is important to go to sleep and tell yourself “tomorrow is another day”. It’s easier for you to follow your plan and manage your time effectively when you feel energetic.
– Jiamiao Chen, Department of English, Year 4
Think about your lifestyle. What are you eating? When do you exercise? How much do you sleep? While this might not be related to studying at first glance, I often find a day not as productive as usual only because I stayed up too late the day before.
Being mindful of your lifestyle could be helpful when you feel like you are struggling with studying. Hitting the gym might tire you out immediately after, but you might find yourself more energetic to start work the next day! So in general, I would encourage others to keep up with your life as well as your studies.
– Ryan Lam, Mathematics, PhD
For more study skills support visit our website to access online resources, drop-in sessions, one-to-one tutorials and workshops.
