Research tells us that ‘being well’ helps us to learn well, and that a good work-life balance contributes hugely to enabling us to be good learners.
One way to improve our work-life balance is to study as efficiently and as effectively as possible. This saves time; time we can use for other things (fresh air, exercise, socialising, relaxing etc), things that improve our wellbeing and therefore our capacity to learn.
There are many resources across the Collegiate University that can support us in improving our study skills, time management, and much more!
Our very own library team at Trinity Hall has pulled together a wealth of study skills information and resources on Cambridge LibGuides. This includes:
- Academic Skills Guide
- Research Skills Guide
- Guides for undergraduates, masters and PhD students
Some faculties and departments also provide study skills information and resources for their students, but this information will be relevant to many of us regardless of our field of study.
The University’s Language Centre has some great online courses for common issues including:
- Self-study Toolkit for Cambridge Students (learning style, time management, organisation and planning, autonomy, reflexivity)
- Study Block, Perfectionism and Procrastination
- Achieving Clarity
- Writing a Literature Review
- Approaches to Editing
If you are struggling with procrastination and/or perfectionism, the following University Counselling Service workshops may be for you:
The University Counselling Service also has a great self-help section on academic issues covering topics such as concentration, coping with exams, procrastination, perfectionism, and time management. There are also links to self-control tools to help us avoid distracting websites.
There are some great study skills and wellbeing books, many of which you can find at the Trinity Hall library:
- Be Well, Learn Well (Gareth Hugues)
- Stay Organised (Lauren Callaghan)
- Stay Balanced While You Study (Dr Dominique Thompson)
- Resourcefulness at University (Dr Dominique Thompson)
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for study skills support at the University’s Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC). If you think you may have a disability (including a specific learning difficulty) and you would like to explore this further, the ADRC can advise. You can contact the ADRC directly or you can discuss this first with the College Wellbeing Team if you prefer: wellbeing@trinhall.cam.ac.uk
If you need advice on managing your workload, you can always speak to your Director of Studies, Supervisor, Tutor or the Wellbeing Team.
