Exam Study Tips for University Students

There’s only one thing worse than taking exams: studying for them! Luckily, it is possible to remove some of the pain of studying — all you need to do is learn study tips that work.

1. Create a Study Routine

Create a study plan not just for a single day but for every day leading up to exams. Stick to a routine where you study at the same time of day and same day of the week. This will enable you to create a schedule that fits with your classes and other activities while keeping you motivated.

When drawing up your schedule, there are a few things to take into account. First, your schedule needs to include how much time you’ll spend on each subject. It’s a good idea to switch to something easier right after you study something hard. Second, include breaks and rewards in your schedule. Lastly, when you finish studying for the day, decide which topics require more focus and program them for next time.

2. Have a Plan to Prevent Procrastination

During study time, don’t allow yourself to do anything else. This means ignoring alerts on your phone and quashing the temptation to check social media. If you can’t seem to stay focused, aim to study for a shorter period. Over time, you can build up to longer amounts.

3. Find a Place to Study

Surrounded by noise and distractions, it can be difficult to concentrate in your room if you live on campus. A better option is to use the library or another place designated for study. You’ll likely have an easier time if you live in student apartments in Waterloo. Students who live off campus can choose between studying at home or heading to the university library. Either way, you should find a quiet environment.

4. Keep Your Mind and Body Healthy

It is extra difficult to study when you’re in poor health. Figure out how much sleep you need and make sure you get enough. It is not worth staying up late to study, especially right before exams — you’ll be too tired to focus properly. You can also keep your mind fresh by taking care of your body. This means exercising and eating well.

Prepare for the exam season ahead of time by seeking a room for rent in Waterloo. Students can find premium housing at King Street Towers. Here, you can study for exams in your suite or in one of the group study lounges — whatever you find more comfortable.

Tips for Living Off Campus

For many college and university students, there’s little more exciting than living off campus. It offers freedom, independence and an introduction to adulthood. But in some cases, little is more stressful and confusing than living off campus. Taking on so much responsibility can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to help any student survive this experience. Below are a few of these tips and tricks.

Figure Out the Bills

Living in your own apartment (even if you live with roommates) means paying the bills. While paying bills is synonymous with adulthood, it’s also one of the most stressful parts of adulthood. And this stress is only compounded when you don’t know how to pay the bills. Unbeknownst to many, the secret to low-stress bill paying is creating and maintaining a monthly budget. This budget should include your rent, utilities (gas, electricity, cable, etc.), mobile phone bill, groceries, household products, and entertainment (if applicable). Of course, bills become more affordable and budgeting may become easier when you live with roommates. However, you won’t have to worry about the cost of utilities if you move into Waterloo student housing rentals like those offered by King Street Towers, as their rentals are all-inclusive.

Plan to Clean

Not much cleaning or cleaning expertise is required when you live in a single room. Most college and university students go from living in a room at home to living in a room on campus. So, having to clean an entire apartment can be shocking. But, creating a chore list and/or cleaning plan can help reduce some of its shock value. Just remember to buy plenty of cleaning supplies, and invest in a good broom, vacuum, duster and mop. Additionally, buy plenty of laundry supplies, including detergent, fabric softener, bleach, collapsible laundry baskets (for easy handling, transporting and space-saving capabilities), hangers, a garment bag and more. Make sure your room and the main living area is cleaned and organized every day (e.g. make your bed, vacuum, remove clothing from floor, etc.), wash or place the dishes in the dishwasher after every meal (always put them away too) and clean the entire bathroom and do the laundry at least once a week.

Move Close to Campus

Although off-campus Waterloo student living can offer immense freedom and independence, you should remain as close to campus as possible. Proximity to campus can decrease your commute to class, the campus library, etc., help you stay connected to the school and your peers, and help you save money on transportation. If you move to off-campus student housing like King Street Towers, you’ll have these conveniences and more. In fact, their properties are so close to the University of Waterloo that you could walk to class every day.