5 min read
Top tips for managing time and studying effectively
Between exploring the sights that London has to offer, making new friends, attending classes and studying for exams, it is only normal that Summer School students may feel overwhelmed when it comes to time management. However, there is no need to worry, as it is possible to balance both academic and personal life, allowing for a one-of-a-kind summer experience. Here are some simple tips to help you manage your time effectively and prepare well for lectures and exams, whilst leaving space for extra-curricular activities.
Usually, students are given material before every lecture that they are encouraged to read and think through at home (top tip to prepare - try underlining the key elements of a text or do your own research on the topic). By doing so, you are better prepared for the content that will be presented by the lecturer during class, thus making it easier to understand the core aspects of the subject.
During lectures, focus on taking notes on the most important elements of the material taught.
Both the preparation and note taking should be taken seriously and done continuously, as this constitutes a big part of the learning process and saves you a lot of time later when revising for exams!
One of the many things that makes the British university system unparalleled compared to other countries is the use of tutorials. In addition to traditional lectures, tutorials require students to gather in small groups and discuss the material that has been presented during the lecture. The teacher then goes over aspects that may have been difficult to understand or goes into more detail if the students show interest in a specific topic. As such, you are encouraged to actively make use of the tutorials - to ask questions, exchange ideas with other students and get to the core of the subject taught.
Don’t underestimate the importance of tutorials: actively participating in class makes the learning process easier and more enjoyable.
It also allows you to indirectly go over the material of the lecture once again and so constitutes a first revision.
Each day, once the lectures and tutorials are over, students are encouraged to take a few hours to revise what they learned in class.
My top tip would be to write a summary of what you learnt in the lectures and tutorials, to consolidate the core elements.
By continuously doing so, you will not only go over the material once again but also create a text that can later be used as a study resource for exams. This process does not take too long (and will save you time at the end of the session!) and allows you to make use of the rest of your day for extracurricular activities. It can also be done in groups, as each student may add something different to the summary, thus making for a more complete text.
Don’t wait until the last minute to start working on your assignments or exam revision. Usually, coursework instructions are given to students early in the session, giving you ample time to do your research and complete your coursework. As such, I would recommend students work on this on a daily basis, even if just for half an hour. By doing so, you can manage your time efficiently and still be able to participate in the many extracurricular activities organised by LSE. As for traditional exams, while students do have to put in the work to be awarded good grades, it is important to note that teachers put a lot of value on how students structure their texts and formulate their ideas, not just on who can best reproduce what they have learnt in class.
Make sure to think critically about the source material and share your own ideas.
By implementing these simple yet efficient tips, you should be able to manage your time efficiently, prepare well for your exams, and explore London together with your newly made friends, making the best of your time at LSE Summer School!
This blog was written by one of our 2022 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.
Bio
Hello everyone! My name is Sara and I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in law at the University of Luxembourg in Luxembourg. I attended the LSE Summer School in 2022, where I studied LL100: European Union law. In my free time I enjoy drawing, reading books, learning new languages, and volunteering. As an LSE Summer School Ambassador, I strive to make new friends and show people how great this program is!