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8 Student Life Hacks

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Here at Head of the Class, we understand the value of organisation - especially for students. Education can be stressful at times - from balancing home life, to subject assessments, to general student life. Put simply, the education system can be rough: so in this article, we’ll be unpacking eight top tips for students in need of some calm, before the storm of summer exams.


  1. Keep everything in one place! Assign each subject a single notebook/folder, and have one hub for all things life. Notion has recently gained a lot of popularity online - but beware of using multiple apps, sites, or even physical planners, as you will likely overcomplicate things.

  2. Setting clear and measurable goals at the beginning of each week gives you something to work towards. Some examples might be: I will have a rough draft of my Practical 4 write-up by Thursday, or I will read ahead in my English Literature novel so I have extra time next week. Make sure to include tick boxes for that satisfying check once you’ve completed your goals of the week (although we wouldn’t recommend focussing on more than three).

  3. Productivity expert David Allen popularized the “two-minute rule:” if something takes less than two minutes (maybe sending a teacher an email about overdue homework, or filling out a field trip form), don’t wait - get it done. A really common issue for students is small things piling up to become big, overwhelming tasks that suddenly all have the same deadline. But when you do something immediately, you’ll feel a sense of relief - keeping you organized and on track.

  4. Turn off notifications on your phone, and use sites such as getcoldturkey.com to block browser access. Without distractions, you might be surprised at how productively you can spend an hour!

  5. Utilise the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes of deep work followed by 5 minutes of rest. Play a study with me Youtube video or an ambient jazz music playlist in the background, to transport your bedroom study session to a serene library, or a local cafe.

  6. Sticky notes are invaluable for visual reminders. Stick them where they'll be seen on a regular basis, such as a laptop screen, bedroom door or bathroom mirror. They can also be great for learning formulae or quick facts before a test.

  7. If you’re in Year 11 or 13, a good habit to get into is making your revision resources well in advance of May. Figure out what works best for you (flashcards, mindmaps, study guides, etc.), and always refer to your exam board specification when organising resources. This way, when exams roll around, you won’t waste time trawling through months of (semi-helpful) class notes.

  8. Last, but arguably most importantly, sleep. The effects of sleep deprivation are well-researched, and linked to chronic health problems such as heart/kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression - as well as a surge in car accidents post daylight savings. Ensure you’re getting a full eight hours a night, for maximum productivity during the day.

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