CONGRATULATIONS students, you have survived the first semester! Now you have to pull out all the stops to get better results at year’s end.
Respublica, South Africa’s provider of student accommodation, shared four tips with SunEducation to help you make the most of your second semester.
Prioritise your priorities
Poet Maya Angelou was on the money when she said: “If you know better, you do better.”
Take the opportunity of being midway through the year and review the time already passed, and plan ahead by drawing up a personal study analysis. Be honest with yourself about your strengths, weaknesses, the opportunities you have and threats that could derail your success.
Studies, sleep and socialising
Lack of sleep reduces your attention span, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. This makes it more difficult to learn efficiently.
While there will be occasions when you will need to pull an all-nighter, make that the exception rather than the rule. Aim for at least six to eight hours of sleep a night.
Arrange your study time into blocks no longer than 90 minutes long before taking a 10-minute break and do some kind of exercise.
If you need to work in shorter blocks then plan for that.
Break down your budget
There’s no time like the present to learn how to budget effectively. This is a skill that you will need for the rest of your life!
First list all your essential expenses and plan your purchases during the month so you have enough money up to the last day. Also include wi-fi, laundry facilities, and water and electricity.
Of course, make sure you include spending money and entertainment in your budget, otherwise you’ll take from your grocery stash to go to a concert – and you’ll go hungry at the end of the month.
If you are dissatisfied with lodgings, cancel your lease and move.
Use residence tutors and mentors
Well run residences often have good tutoring and mentoring networks which can help students with learning and study advice on subjects.
If you plan for these issues, you are on your way to get great results at the end of the year and be better prepared for next year!
