There are many activities, deadlines and appointments to keep track of during a semester. Different courses place different demands on you, and you will have expectations of yourself too. You probably also want time for something other than your studies.
Once the semester starts, things will happen that you didn't foresee. But you can help yourself by having an overview of the predictable parts of the semester from the start.
Preparing mentally for what the semester has in store will make it more manageable and give you a better understanding of what to expect and what is expected of you.
What can you do to prepare for the start of a new semester? | |
| Consider your own expectations | The academic regulations contain formal expectations of yourself. But it's also a good idea to reflect on what you really expect of yourself in the coming semester:
Read more about prioritising to establish balance in student life. |
| Familiarise yourself with the academic regulations | To find out what is expected of you during the semester and at the exam, familiarise yourself with the academic regulations and read the formal requirements for the courses you are taking. Talk to your teacher and your fellow students about what the requirements mean in practice. |
| Plan your week | Making a weekly plan for your preparation, teaching etc. will make it easier for you to balance the time you spend on your studies, leisure time and your student job. Read more about making a weekly plan. |
| Make agreements with your study group | At the start of a new semester, it’s a good idea to align expectations and make fixed agreements with your study group – regardless of whether it’s a new group or an existing study group. Read more about good collaboration. |
Many people find the exam period particularly stressful and hectic. Therefore, it may be a good idea to plan so you have an overview of expectations, curriculum and dates and so you don’t get swamped along the way.
The exam period may seem very confusing, but if you plan it in advance, you can take ownership of your preparation time and maintain an overview.
Here are some suggestions for what to consider in your planning:
What can you do to prepare for the exam period? | |
Get an overview of expectations and requirements
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Find out when all your exams are to be held
| Write down the dates for oral exams in your diary, when exam questions/assignments will be handed out and when assignments are to be handed in. This will give you an overview and minimise the risk of missing important deadlines.
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Plan your preparation
| Consider what you need to prepare before your exams and between your exams, and how much time you need. For example, go through the curriculum or your semester plan to assess what you need to revise. This can be texts that you didn’t get around to reading during the semester, texts that you need to read more thoroughly, or texts that you just need to skim. If you want to prepare with others, for example your study group, it’s a good idea to plan meetings well in advance. |
Set realistic goals and prioritise | Some exam periods are more stressful than others. So it’s important that you set realistic goals for your exams and your work during the exam period. If, for example, you have multiple exams during a period, you may need to prioritise them or adjust your ambitions for one or more of them. |
Start planning well in advance
| For example, if you need to use any popular books, order them in advance. If you’re going to collect empirical data, e.g. through interviews or fieldwork, it may be a good idea to make an agreement before the exam period. |
How do you get through the exam period as well as possible? | |
Set fixed routines
| Think of your days as working days, where you focus on studying at fixed times. It’s a good idea to use a weekly schedule to plan when you’ll be working, and when you’ll be taking time off. |
Respect your work rhythm
| Exhausted by 14:00? Then this is not the time to embark on the most difficult part of the syllabus. Instead, use this time for easier tasks and schedule the most mentally demanding tasks for when you’re better able to concentrate. For example, divide your working day into two to three intervals, depending on your mental efficiency curve, and then allocate your tasks accordingly. |
Listen to your body!
| Give it proper food, water and regular breaks with physical activity. This will keep you physically and mentally fit longer and it will help you remember better. Disregarding your needs because it feels you don't have time is counterproductive. So remember to prioritise well-being and create balance during busy periods. |
Take a break
| Are you not getting enough done, even though you’re in the reading room all day? Is your use of social media and the fridge at home out of control? Are you having problems sleeping, or are you feeling sad and depressed most of the time? If things are not going well, then take a break and write down what’s not working, and what you want to do differently – and then do it. Talk to your fellow students or your student counsellor. |
Remember life outside your studies  | During exam periods, it’s easy to isolate yourself from the outside world and spend all your waking hours studying for your exams. Let yourself go outside and get some fresh air. This will recharge your batteries and keep your brain sharp, so you can concentrate better when you’re working. |
React to your nerves
| It’s normal to feel under pressure during exam periods, but, if you find that your worries and nervousness are taking over and affecting you in a distinctly negative way, perhaps it’s time to think about how to approach your exams constructively. |
What can you take with you into the next exam period? | |
Evaluate!
| The exam is over, you survived, and you might prefer to forget everything about it. However, next semester’s exams are just around the corner. Therefore, just spend 10-15 minutes reflecting on your strategy: What worked well and what do you want to change next time? |
Share your experience
| Consider sharing both good and bad exam experiences with others, as the exam will often be the result of an intensive work process that can be nice to close well. If it was an in-person exam, it’s natural to discuss how it went with your fellow students who were also present. At an online exam, you’ll have to seek this conversation yourself. |
