Treat Uni like a 9-5

A popular approach to university is treating it like a 9-5 job. A full course load at university amounts to 45 hours a week, equivalent to a full-time job. Although you can avoid doing most of this work (I know I could improve at finishing all of my readings), you should still dedicate the time.

The first step in trying this approach is to track the amount of time you spend studying. Work out how many hours of classwork you have (tutorials, laboratories, and lectures) and schedule time to work on assessments and readings. Keeping these hours regular is the next step. Working eight hours a day with scheduled breaks Monday to Friday is the way to approach it. For example, if your first lecture is at 8:30 am, you are on the clock until 4:30 pm.

This method has many benefits. Firstly, it prepares you for what is to come after university. Most people go into working a 9-5 once they graduate, and by using this method, the transition will be less jarring. Secondly, having a regular schedule is good for your health. The absence of a routine can often lead to stress and feelings of unmanageability. By giving yourself a strict schedule, you are supporting your mental and physical health. Finally, instead of leaving everything to the last moment, you will find yourself completing tasks as they arise. This will hopefully remove the need for stressed-out all-nighters trying to finish an essay the day before it is due.