Bethany Morgan
With deadlines coming up, seminar readings increasing and exam revision haunting, it can feel like every spare hour should be spent studying. However, constantly pushing yourself to work can leave you exhausted, making it harder to concentrate and enjoy the once in a lifetime experience of being a student.
For many students, the pressure to stay productive is amplified by the feeling that everyone else has their life together. A quick scroll through social media shows a romanticised image of perfect routines and colour-coded notes but behind the scenes, plenty of students are struggling to find balance. The temptation to spend entire days at the library is understandable, especially as assessments start to feel overwhelming but working longer doesn’t mean working better. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep and stepping away from your laptop can help you return to your work feeling more focused.
Wellbeing officer Emma emphasises the importance of finding a routine that works for you. “...,” she advises.
Rather than planning to complete an unrealistic amount of work in one sitting, breaking assignments into smaller tasks can make deadlines feel more manageable. Setting aside specific hours for studying can also help prevent university work from taking over every part of your day. Student life should not become something you only allow yourself to enjoy once all your work is finished. Whether it is going to a society meeting or catching up with friends by having something to look forward to can make a busy week feel less daunting.
Balancing everything is not always straightforward. If deadlines begin to feel unmanageable, asking for help is a sensible step rather than a sign of failure. Mid-module season does not have to mean choosing between academic success and enjoying university, staying on top of your work matters but so does protecting your wellbeing.
Isobel Whitley
When it comes to university life, there is a fine line between succeeding our goals whilst working a little overtime to get there and burning the candle at both ends to reach our targets. From November midterms, weekly reading, part-time work, placement days, and volunteering, each university student takes on many different roles week to week in the name of securing that post-grad job. But do we know when too much is really too much? In 2022, Donna Smith and Michelle Tytherleigh carried out research in engagement and burnout in UK University students, describing burnout as when students are ‘exhausted by excessive studying demands, leaving them detached and cynical towards their work’, resulting in poor mental health.
As a student, one of the most effective ways you can look after your body and mind to prevent burnout, is food. Although UberEats might look enticing after that 5pm lecture on a cold Thursday evening, and those plain noodles look easy now that your brain feels fried from reading, these aren’t sustainable options for your mind or body when it happens too frequently. The easiest way to eat better, and also save money whilst doing it, is the dreaded meal prep. Although, once you get into the swing of things, it’s not the end of the world.
Whilst planning and prepping a strong study routine can be helpful, sometimes we just have to move our bodies to help us from falling down the burnout hole. Whatever exercise you choose to do, research has shown that physical activity can reduce the slope to burnout by helping students with positive changes to mood and reduce their sensitivity to stress. Newcastle University offers a range of clubs and societies for you to get involved with, and you don’t have to put the pressure on of try outs or commitment. From Running Club Society, Social Lacrosse Society, and even Swing Dance Society, there are never ending opportunities as a student to get moving.
So, as the nights get colder and the days get darker, remember, it’s not a competition of who can be the most ‘locked in’, but a test of taking it day by day to ensure your best academic performance without overdoing it. If midterms do start to feel too stressful, and you hit a wall where you lose motivation, or simply have no more energy, reach out to our wellbeing team at Newcastle, and speak to your academic advisor about the best plan of action.