Secrets to success: the health student’s survival guide
Looking to get a step ahead in your UTS Health journey? We’ve collated some top tips from successful students and graduates to help you make the most of your uni experience.
1. Stay organised
Keeping on top of your studies can be a difficult task and a little bit of organisation can go a long way. Having key dates and study times locked into a calendar can remove some of the stress of assessments, allowing you to focus on the content that matters.
“Keep a diary or wall planner. Seeing your schedule planned out visually really helps to keep on top of upcoming assessments.”
“Identify your weekly priorities such as family time, working hours and days, commitments that you may have like internships, sporting clubs and activities. This allows you to identify the hours per day each week that you’ll need to start, revise, research and complete your assessments on time.”
- Lydia, Master of Public Health
2. Break tasks up and give yourself time to recover
“Break down your assignment or studying into smaller chunks. For 30 mins I work on my assignment, then for the next 30 mins, I do housework or have a break and have something to eat.
This seems to work for me and helps me stay focused and motivated.”
“Set small goals with certain times to achieve them. Something like “I’ll finish up section one by midday, then I can have a break.”
3. Make use of the opportunities available to you at uni
From social sports and networking to study help and internship programs, UTS has a wide variety of student support services and social opportunities to enrich your student life.
“University isn’t only about the study. You’re surrounded by a wealth of support services who want to make sure you are prepared for all challenges ahead of you.
By taking up consultations, like how to build your resume or mock interviews, you’ll have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and draw out your unique career path while being able to study at the same time.”
“U:PASS is an extra hour of free university study that is scheduled around the times of your classes on campus to make it easier for you to engage with your program.
The sessions provide great study material and mock mid-semester/practical exams to help prepare you. I met some of my now closest uni friends in U:PASS classes, all the way back in first year.”
4. Keep active!
It can be easy to fall into a sedentary routine, particularly when studying or working from home. Keeping active will give you more energy, break up the norm and keep you healthy. ActivateUTS has a variety of sports and social clubs that will help you keep your heart pumping.
“Remember when you used to sing ‘You Belong with Me’ into your hairbrush, re-enacting the fabulous moves of Taylor Swift into your full-length mirror? Just me?
Bring those moves back, dance while cleaning to get your heart rate up and those endorphins pumping.”
“Don’t forget to schedule down time. Staying focused is good however you can find yourself burned out easily. Keep on top of your physical and mental health by exercising, doing yoga or meditation, or even spending time with friends and family.
Even eating well and having a good night’s sleep makes a difference.”
- Lydia, Master of Public Health
5. Make friends and build your network
University is an opportunity to form lifelong friendships, as well as develop a professional network of contacts across industries. Introduce yourself to mentors and thought leaders, connect online and reach out to people of interest. You never know who could influence your career path.
There's also more than 130 clubs and societies to meet like-minded students – join as many as you want!
“University is the perfect time to meet like-minded individuals who share the same interests and career goals as you do.
Having a social group is very beneficial when it comes to study sessions as everyone wants to make sure that you all get the most out of your university experience. You might find some life-long friends on the way.”
“Studying with friends who are doing the same subjects as you can help you learn from each other, compare study notes, share study burden, learn more and faster!
I sometimes study with my nursing friends during exam periods, where we each take the responsibility to cover a topic, then teach each other.”
