All Things Biology

Written by Georgie Rose

Edited by George Bonner

Starting university, as perhaps everyone in the world will tell you, is not a “stress-free” venture. But it is an adventure all the same! Forgive the corniness, but it’s true.

At university, you’ll make friends and have a great time, but don’t forget the reason you went in the first place. You don’t need me to remind you (the tuition fees are there for that!). My point is that we all have our own priorities, and the key to succeeding at university is balancing your time between studying, socialising, and all the other activities you value.

I came across something similar to the ‘6S rule’ just before starting university, and I made sure to adapt it to my needs and implement it daily (or at least try to!). Those efforts really paid off. Keeping track in a journal, notebook, or even a notes app on your phone can also help show progress and remind you to maintain these habits. The ‘6S Rule’ is simple and will be outlined in this blog, covering six crucial areas for a successful university day and even life beyond.

In no particular order: Study, Sleep, Social, Sport, Self-care, Side hustle.

1. Study

Your degree is a critical part of your university life; it’s the main reason you’re there. As you’ll likely hear during your orientations, lecturers recommend treating your degree like a full-time job, dedicating around 36 hours per week to it. This includes attending lectures, seminars, and classes, along with self-directed studying and additional reading. It might sound overwhelming, but remember there are 168 hours in a week, leaving you with 132 hours for other activities!

While 36 hours of studying sounds like a lot, a significant portion will be covered by lectures. The key point is that studying little and often can significantly benefit your long-term memory and overall understanding. Spaced practice, involving short, spaced bursts of study over a long period, is more effective for long-term retention than cramming [1]. Even less than an hour a day can yield substantial benefits, and its a great habit to develop!

2. Sleep

Many people need no encouragement to get a good night’s sleep, but I was not one of them, especially during Freshers’ Week! I love trying new things and struggle with FOMO, fearing I’ll miss out on unique experiences. This often led me to sacrifice sleep to fit in as many activities as possible. While skipping the recommended 7+ hours of sleep occasionally isn’t disastrous, consistently poor sleep patterns can become a problem, and I’m not alone in this struggle.

The 6S rule has helped me by serving as a simple reminder to prioritise sleep alongside other commitments. In a hyperactive university environment with endless activities, maintaining a good balance is crucial to avoid burnout. Prioritising sleep is essential for sustaining your energy and well-being!

3. Social

Everyone’s social battery is different. Some of my friends can only last 2 hours, while others can go for 2 weeks. Humans are social beings, and we rely on interaction. While you’ll likely meet great friends at university, it’s normal for it to take time to find “your people.”

This advice is a reminder to be sociable and get out and do things. It might seem obvious, but it wasn’t to me. I’m very sociable with a long-lasting social battery, and, although I’m happy doing my own thing sometimes, I’ve found that my lowest times were when I was alone for extended periods. University halls often consist of your room and a communal kitchen, making it easy to find yourself isolated. If you’re a sociable person like me, make an effort to interact with someone every day, especially on weekends when routines are looser, and many people tend to stay in bed. It doesn’t have to be for long, but enjoying that extra bit of in-person time can help more than you realise. It certainly helped me.

4. Sport

Everyone has different needs, attitudes, and abilities when it comes to sports and activities. However, there is ample research highlighting the positive impacts of sport and exercise on mental health, in addition to physical wellbeing. Some studies even suggest that exercise can help alleviate mild to moderate symptoms of depression [2]. It doesn’t matter how much you do—even a 10-minute walk outside each day is beneficial. Trust me, it helps!

5. Self-Care

Self-care can sometimes seem contrary to being social, but it really depends on your preferences. If you have a lower social battery, it can be a great time to recharge alone. If you have a higher social battery, you could enjoy a relaxing self-care night with a new friend. The key point is that university is often the first time you’re fully responsible for your own well-being, so it’s essential to learn how to take care of yourself.

Taking a couple of hours each day to wind down before bed or extra time in the morning to get organised can make a huge difference. I found that spending extra time in the mornings helped me stay organised and more productive. Practices like journaling can also become a beneficial daily habit.

6. Side Hustle

Last but certainly not least, consider having a side hustle. Like with the other areas of this advice, it doesn’t matter what you do. Your degree will require a lot of effort, especially during exam season and before deadlines. However, if you have the time, working on a project separate from your university work can be really rewarding. It might sound corny, but the idea of life after university can seem daunting, especially if you’re unsure about your future plans. A side hustle that has the potential to grow into something bigger can help alleviate those post-university anxieties and even provide a little extra spending money. It’s a win-win situation.

All in all, starting university is a crazy experience for everyone, but it’s also entirely unique to each individual. I hope you have the best experience possible, and if you feel it would help, consider taking some, if not all, of this advice on board. Good luck, and enjoy Freshers!

Bibliography:

1. Kornell N. Optimising learning using flashcards: Spacing is more effective than cramming. Applied Cognitive Psychology [Internet]. 2009 Dec;23(9):1297–317. Available from: https://web.williams.edu/Psychology/Faculty/Kornell/Publications/Kornell.2009b.pdf 
2. Taylor CB, Sallis JF, Needle R. The relation of physical activity and exercise to mental health. Public health reports (Washington, DC : 1974) [Internet]. 1985 Mar;100(2):195–202. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1424736/