It’s a shock when you realise how much workload you have when you first get to university. You could be gulping down the Redbull working all hours with LOADS of lectures and assignments, equally you could be wondering if you’re reading your timetable right, perplexed by how little you have.

The first year is always a bit of a culture shock. It’s fair to assume though that whatever your starting workload things almost certainly get a lot more hectic over the period of the course. But hey don’t stress out, the key is getting into good working behaviours now, it’s all about self discipline! (don’t worry there’s no need to whip yourself with birch twigs)

Moving up from school to college you will have found that you needed to take more and more responsibility for your own work. There will have been a lot less hand holding from teachers as you progressed. Now you’re at university no one will nag you, or force you to work. It’s up to you to find out where you need to be and when, what you need to read and what you need to hand in.

We’ve talked in previous blog posts about all the cool stuff you can get up to at university, like clubs and societies, jobs, the opposite sex, Jeremy Kyle..., but these are all distractions from the main event. You also have to just sit down and get your work done.
Here are some top tips for prioritising and work management. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the blog comments after.

Our top tips
1/ Maintain an ongoing to do list ordered by priority. Cross things off once you’ve completed them.
2/ Prioritisation – It’s a balance between urgency and importance.
An urgent task is something that either has a very short deadline or requires immediate attention because other things depend on it. An example would be an assignment that needs to be handed in on Monday.
An important task is something which has more wide-ranging and far-reaching effects than on your day-to-day working routine. It generally has a longer-term impact on your work and the work of others. An example would be attending lectures and reading the books on your reading list.
Something that is high importance and high urgency needs to go to the top of your to do list.
Something low importance and low urgency can go to the bottom.
Weigh up the priority of all your tasks and put them on your to do list in the right place.
3/ Do your work when you know you are able to work best.
Study time can mostly be divided into three different types.
High quality is the time you're able to concentrate best. You're not tired, have few distractions, and you can really get things done.
Low quality is when most of us study. You might be tired, have many distractions, or not have long enough to complete things effectively.
Parallel time is when you're doing something else but can think about your studies at the same time. For example, can you put lecture notes on your MP3 player and listen to them on the bus?
Try to organise your time so that you can study in as much high quality time as possible. You might find you work best in the mornings, so if possible arrange study sessions for then.
4/ Don’t leave things to the last minute. There is nothing more stressful than doing a rush job right up close to deadline.
5/ Go somewhere to work with fewer distractions


The internet allows us to access any information we could possibly want but we still need libraries! There’s no TV, no fridge, no housemates, no bed. This means you can get your head down and work. If you’re easily distracted get into the habit of doing your work in the library. There could be untapped flirting opportunities there too!

For help with your studies and to network with people doing similar courses to you visit The student Room Study Help forums: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/foru...

Thousands of new students have disembarked on the mighty midlands; ready to begin a new life in good ol’ Brum, the home of Cadbury’s, the Bullring and women who spend more money on clothes than in any other UK city.

Teen-tycoon Tom Thurlow was there to welcome them – while revealing the underbelly of Birmingham’s most exciting kiss-and-tell freshers…

And what a welcome it was! Watch the first episode here this Friday.

For now, here’s Itchy Birmingham’s pick of the city’s best spots… You ain’t a Brum if you don’t check these out:

The Yardbird
The Yardbird, Birmingham’s sexiest live music joint, is as close as you can get to 1920s New Orleans without stepping into a black and white detective flick. Believe us, kid – when we say that these jazz rhythms are the cat’s meow, we know our onions. The cosy, low-lit bar provides plenty opportunity for beating yer gums over some classy broad across the bar, or tapping the night away under the sway of that funky muzak.
(Paradise Place, 0121 212 2524).

Pennyblacks
What’s the best restaurant for a relaxed mid-week meal out with good food and a fine wine list? You said: Pennyblacks. Our survey said: PING! And where’s the best place to go for good group grub? You said: Pennyblacks. Our survey said: PING! Then we asked you where they would go for a big, special night out. You said: anywhere but Pennyblacks. Our survey said: PING! Your prize? A meal at Pennyblacks, though of course, you’re paying
(132–134 Wharfside Street, The Mailbox, 0121 632 1460)

Snobs
Dark, dirty and cheap. Yes, the ‘snob’ label eludes us too, but it’s not stopped Big Wednesdays becoming legendary. Many have tried to match it but it retains its title as the best alternative mid-week club night for chugging vodka of uncertain origin and swaggering to indie, sixties and northern soul tunes. Thursday nights are reserved for Sabotage (of the liver) to the racket of electro-trash and nu-rave. Brum’s sleaze kings and queens rule the dance floor with the odd boozed-up emo type vying for strutting space.
(29 Paradise Circus, Queensway, 0121 643 5551)


And just so you survive the first few weeks in your Birmingham daze, try to brush up on your:

Local Lingo

OWAMYA – How are you?
YOW NO MI BAB? – Have you met my friend before?
ARSE CREAM – Frozen confectionary
WE AM ON WE OLIDAZE – We’re on our holidays
UP THE WOODEN HILL – Upstairs
TRARAABIT – See you soon
KINNOY – Can I?
MOWTA – Car
TITTYBABBI – Person acting immaturely, like a baby, suckling


Bare these in mind if Tom Thurlow manages to catch you on his camera…

Coming up next Friday - Tom finds out whether Freshers at Lincoln would make Gok Wan proud...

Before going to university you probably lived under your parent’s roof, there were probably some rules about bringing boyfriends and girlfriends home, as a result you probably had some grope-tastic times in confined spaces – Ford fiestas, cinema seats and assorted cupboards.

Now you’re out in the wild, living in your own place…

Unless you buy into the Jonas Bros. purity ring thing, are a practicing Christian or are tragically ugly then there will come a time when entertaining the opposite sex in your room that sex comes onto the agenda.

I know you’re smart people, you wouldn’t be going to university if you didn’t have something going on upstairs, the problem is that sometimes the bit downstairs can take control!

If there’s a possibility of having sex then you need to be prepared and that means thinking about contraception early. Whether you’re male or female you should decide what method you’re going to be ready to use.

In the case of guys its pretty simple, you get some condoms. Ladies should get condoms too but there are many additional options and it can sometimes be a bit confusing getting your head around the pros and cons of each.

Below is a quick run down on the options available and for a more complete description go and read this article on The Student Room, do further research and consult with your doctor:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...


Condoms
You’d think it obvious, no? But some people still don’t realise that condoms are the only form of contraception that actively protect against pregnancy AND STDs including HIV.

They’re for sale in newsagents, supermarkets and every pub/club/SU toilet. Or can be obtained free from brook centres or your local family planning clinic.

Oral Contraceptives – The Pill
Pills that stop the production and release of eggs from the ovary. They also thicken your cervical lining to make it harder for sperm to get anywhere near your womb. Speak with your doctor to find out if this best for you.
Contraceptive Injections
Like the pill but the difference is that you don’t have to remember to take it every day, and also your periods should eventually stop. Poof! Gone. As with all of these options they aren’t suitable for everyone and you need to talk to your doctor.

The Implant
It’s a small, flexible tube that is about the same size as a kirby grip that’s implanted into your upper arm and releases hormone steadily into the bloodstream. Speak with your doctor to find out if this best for you.

The Patch
Coming in three different colours, you pick the one that matches your skin tone the best…Or whatever goes with your outfit, I guess.
They’re about 5x5 cm, and you splat them on your upper arm, shoulder or bottom for a whole week. It should be changed on the 8th day for three weeks and then you should give yourself a patch free week. Speak with your doctor to find out if this best for you.

NuvaRing
It's a flexible ring that you put in the vagina [much like a diaphragm] and you leave it there for 3 weeks. Still not very common in the UK. Speak with your doctor to find out if this best for you.

Diaphragms/caps
This method is a liiiiitle outdated and fiddly. You have to whip it out just before sex and fit it with spermicidal jelly – sexy. Anyway, whatever, it’s a silicone or rubber flexible dome thingy. It stops the sperm getting on in there.

The Inter Uterine System (IUS)
Whilst it sounds like a hot new car feature, it’s actually a T shaped contraption that is fitted up there by a doctor or nurse. In the UK it is commonly known by its brand name - Mirena. It’s not generally a “young persons” contraceptive device. It’s more suited to women who have had children.

If you have your own questions about the Injection, Implant, Coil, emergency contraception and all aspects of sexual health visit Th