Here our some top tips by Student Blogger, Nicole Donaldson.
That old cliché of ‘New year, new me’ is definitely one we’ve all been guilty of indulging in once or twice along the years, but by the time February rolls around, it’s so easy to fall back into old habits that you’d rather leave behind. So instead of making any drastic decisions this January (let’s be honest, you were never really going to stop eating chocolate anyway!), check out our ‘Super Seven’ list of tips and tricks to make next semester the best one yet!
1. Study smart!
Burning the candle at both ends never does anyone any good, so make sure that you plan your time carefully so you don’t find yourself overworked and overstressed. Getting it right can sometimes be a challenge, but something like Google calendar can be a great (and free tool) for helping you get the balance right between work and down-time. Or, if you’re more of a pen-and-paper person, why not invest in something like a bullet journal for the New Year?
2. Sleep tight!
Admittedly you may have heard this all before, but sleep is so important for your physical, mental and emotional health, and making that extra bit of effort to get your eight hours will mean that you have so much more energy with which to enjoy student life. Exercising and eating well will also help your sleep pattern get on track too! Why not plan to get up early and eat breakfast with a friend - it’s sure to help you get to your 9am on time!
3. Get involved!
With over 300 student groups and over 150 sports club, the new year is the best chance to get involved with something new, especially if semester one has been something of a slow burn. There’s something for every interest, hobby and skill level out there and the Give it a Go fair in January is the perfect chance to discover your newest passion.
Or, if you’re looking for a way to meet like-minded people and give back to your local community, volunteering is a great thing to get involved with, and your time as a student will be all the better for it. Plus, it’s amazing for the CV and is proven to improve your mental health - what’s not to love?!
4. Level up!
Whether you’re in first year or final year (or anything in between!), it’s never too early or too late to take advantage of the Careers Service. There’s a fantastic array of insight days, advice sessions and training courses to take part in, and the PSA (Personal Skills Award) should be an essential on any Birmingham student’s bucket list - its recognised employability programme for undergraduate students that will give you something to talk about at any interview you go to!
5. See more!
Birmingham is the UK’s second city, but sometimes the bubble of the Edgbaston campus means it’s easy to forget about all of the amazing things just a train ride away. Venture out into the city and discover all the incredible museums, galleries, coffee shops, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, pubs, parks, libraries, chocolate factories (and more) that Brum has to offer!
6. Take care!
University life has so much to offer, and throwing yourself into it will help you get the most out of your time at Birmingham. But self-care is still super important; making sure you have time to reflect and process the ups-and-downs of life should be an essential part of your day, and will help you look after your mental health long-term. And if you find yourself struggling a little more than usual, know that the University of Birmingham is here to help, and there’s a whole World of Wellbeing out there to support you.
7. Smell the roses!
It’s so easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life without taking time appreciate everything good around you. So, this year, why not try to stop and smell the roses once in a while? Whether it’s using a ‘one second every day’ app to track the highlights through film, whether it’s journaling your thoughts and feelings, or whether it’s just practising the art of mindfulness in your everyday life, make 2020 the year of appreciating the little things that make you happy. When you look back on your life in another ten years, you’ll definitely thank yourself for it!