I remember being a first year in December, feeling completely overwhelmed with the workload around deadline season and having the mindset that I’d never make it through. Now, being immersed in my third assignment season at Queen's, I’ve definitely found my tried and tested ways of ensuring that I don’t get overwhelmed this time of year, while still being able to do my best work.

Know when to work with other people...but also when to take time for yourself

Working with your friends can be a great way of easing any stress that might come with assignment season. If you’re all on the same course, it can be a good idea to bounce ideas off each other, or if you study different subjects, it’s nice to have someone to keep you company on a trip to the library. The key thing to remember is that it’s also okay to miss out on those group study sessions.

If you love spending time with your friends, but know that more often than not, studying turns into scrolling through your phones and feeling unmotivated when you’re together, it might be a good idea to allow yourselves time to study alone.

^{Group study sessions can be valuable - but remember to take time for yourself}

Instead, on the days where you work alone, plan to meet up halfway for a hot drink and encourage each other before you go back to work. For me, a balance of the two is the secret to staying motivated, while getting work done and staying relaxed while doing it.

Get out of the house to study

You might’ve heard this advice a few times, but especially when the work is starting to pile up more, making sure you have another space to get it done is vital for keeping a clear head. Although it’s tempting to stay in bed or on the sofa with a hot water bottle when the weather is cold, when you’re a couple of hours into studying like that, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll put the laptop down and pick your phone up instead.

For essay writing, Queen’s McClay library is the perfect place for a quiet atmosphere, and I find that an hour or so in there is the only thing I need to start feeling inspired to do work again. Especially in the colder months, if you sit near the windows in the library, the seasonal lights and decorations are a lovely view while studying.

^{Enjoy a wellbeing walk through the Queen's campus before you arrive at the McClay}

The Queen’s Online app also has an updated occupancy level of PCs and seats available, making sure you don’t have to go through the disappointment of leaving because you couldn’t find a seat. For practical or group assignments, or even if you just prefer working in a space that isn’t too quiet, Queen’s Students' Union is probably the best option.

(Pro Tip - make use of the coffee machines in the Spar downstairs if you’re looking for an affordable pick-me-up during the day).

Make use of Queen’s online library as often as you can

On the topic of the library, something that I have only fully come to appreciate in third year and couldn’t have gone through my time at Queen's without, is the online library. If you’re like me and prefer to have all your readings in one place, in my experience the online library is essential. It makes it so simple to search the specific topic of your essays and saves you a cold walk to the library. The Subject Librarians are a complete lifesaver and something I only learned about this year.

On the library website, the tab ‘Subject Guides’ lists all school groups (AEL, HAPP, etc) and will direct you towards the ‘Subject Librarian’ for your course, providing an email address for you to contact. This is an amazing resource, especially if you have recently joined Queen's and are just starting to learn how to navigate resources.

^{Don't forget to use online as well as physical resources to aid your research}

You can email your Subject Librarian to get advice on research if you need help finding sources, or anything else to do with the library. Of course, there are times when physically checking out books can be useful, but a mix of both will ensure you get all the sources you need for your assignments, without getting overwhelmed by all the options.

Plan things to look forward to

This piece of advice may seem simple, but during my time so far at Queen's, I’ve found that it is the thing that people most often forget to do. I promise that making sure you always have something on the calendar that will take your mind off your work and provide time away from being immersed in it all, will make all the difference in the long run.

These things definitely don’t have to cost much, if at all, and even something as simple as a home film night with your friends/family can provide the perfect outlet during these stressful months.

You’re not alone!

If you only adopt one of these pieces of advice, I’d say that this is probably the most important, and it isn’t something that you can do, but more so just a change in your mindset. Every year that I have been through the cold assignment season in Queen's, as hard as I’ve tried not to, I’ve always noticed that I end up feeling isolated and somewhat disconnected from the people around me. Despite so many people going through the exact same thing, the winter blues are real!! Especially when you have a pile of work to get through.

^{Communication is key}

I can’t emphasise enough that communicating stress is what makes the real difference in not only your mind, but also the quality of your work. Mental health always needs to be your top priority, and probably needs a bit more attention during this season. Ensuring you have people around you who can help you manage it is non-negotiable.

If you feel unsure who you can talk to, Student Wellbeing provide counselling sessions from people who will listen and understand your situation. If your stress is mostly coming from feeling stuck in your work, organising a meeting with your tutor or lecturer can help you put the steps in place to better understand, and move forward more positively.

^{Take advantage of wellbeing services offered by Queen's}

No matter your situation, there will always be people who want to see you succeed. Reaching out and making sure you have a community of people who know what you’re going through will be reflected in everything you do, inside and outside of university.

Find out more

Student Wellbeing Service

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During Exam Season

Eliza Walton  Broadcast Production| Undergraduate Student | England Hello, my name’s Eliza and I am a second-year student studying Broadcast Production here at QUB. In being part of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m very passionate about queer rights and seek to bring awareness to the experiences of young queer people across the UK and Ireland. My interest in broadcast has led to a passion in, and knowledge of LGBTQ+ media (especially film) and I love bringing these ideas and concepts into my writing.