Vandy is a Second Year English and European Law student with a keen interest in tech law. As a Technology Enhanced Learning Team (TELT) Student Ambassador, she organises and delivers QMplus inductions for students, and offers ongoing support to TELT throughout the year. Vandy also interns at the Queen Mary Students’ Union where she supports liberation campaigns through event planning and writing articles. When her head isn’t buried in a law textbook or running an event, you can find her spending time in nature and travelling.
Ella is a second-year law student especially interested in the emerging role of AI in legal studies. When she's not hitting the books, you can find her sharing her experiences as a TELT Student Ambassador, a role she's enjoyed for the past year. In her downtime, she loves to travel and explore new places. She's also part of the university Netball team and enjoys scuba diving!
The start of the second semester marks the halfway point of the academic year for many students. Whether you're a seasoned student or just starting your educational journey, summative assessment, exploring the digital learning resources of your new modules and the demands of a new term can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. We’ve been in your shoes, and we’d like to share some strategies and suggestions to not only prepare for exams but also to embrace the opportunities for well-being and success in the digital age.
Staying organised is one of the most important skills to have as a student. It helps to break down your tasks into both short-term and long-term goals, which makes your overall workload more manageable. It is also helpful to create a to-do list and organise your time in a daily schedule or calendar. Lots of students like using Notion to track their assignments, class notes and general tasks. If you’d prefer something a bit more straightforward to manage your tasks, you can use an app called Todoist which organises your tasks into sections and allows you to add deadlines to each. The app also has a timeline function which shows you upcoming tasks and deadlines. It is also worth noting that different apps may have different policies relating to personal data storage, so it is best to remain cautious and review terms.
Forming healthy habits and taking care of your health are essential aspects of your well-being. Personally, we know how challenging it can be to manage academic demands with various other daily commitments like work and extra-curricular activities. However, it is especially important to take care of your health when you are busy, because health is the foundation needed for success. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk outside and getting some fresh air. Choose physical activities that are fun for you. This makes it more likely that you'll stick with your routine. Other healthy habits include regularly eating nutritious meals and getting enough sleep. Building these healthy habits will not only support your well-being but also prevent burnout as the semester gets busier.
It can be easy to fall off track when managing assignments with the demands of everyday life. Having a study buddy or group is a great way to set yourself up for success. You can schedule a time every week to catch up and review the study material and work together. Working with a group gives you that much needed added motivation to study and keeps you accountable. Your peers may have strengths in different areas, so working together can help to cover each other's blind spots. Moreover, having shared goals and mutual support can keep you on track and help you succeed. If you are a distance learner, you can still reap the benefits of forming a study group. You can utilise technology like Zoom and Microsoft Teams (which are both connected to your Queen Mary email addresses) to connect with other students learning remotely. These platforms also have cool features like online whiteboards which allow you to collaborate and brainstorm ideas in real-time.
Well-being is crucial for students, especially at the start of a new year, as it lays the foundation for both academic success and personal growth. A healthy state of well-being enhances focus, boosts creativity, and fosters resilience against stress and challenges that the new year may bring. Prioritizing mental health helps you manage anxieties and adapt to new environments or curricula with greater ease. We recommend Headspace as an app for nurturing well-being. Its guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep aids are scientifically designed to reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote a healthier sleep cycle. By regularly using Headspace, you can cultivate a balanced mindset, leading to improved academic performance and overall life satisfaction.
Embracing tech-free time is essential if you seek a successful new year. In an era where digital devices constantly demand attention, disconnecting allows the mind to rest and rejuvenate. This break from screen time reduces mental clutter, leading to clearer thinking and enhanced concentration when engaging in academic tasks. It also fosters creativity, as stepping away from technology encourages exploration of different interests and hobbies, nurturing a well-rounded personality. Moreover, tech-free periods help in developing stronger interpersonal relationships through direct, meaningful interactions. By consciously allocating tech-free time, you can achieve a balanced lifestyle, contributing to both academic success and personal well-being.