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 from Student Room users for prioritising and managing your workload. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the blog comments after.

TSR 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...

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 have really bad body odour, 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 Intra 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

There I’ve said it...It’s not a very fashionable view but I’m willing to shout it from the rooftops (well post it on Bebo which is sort of similar).

There are loads of reasons why you should join clubs and societies at university:

1/ A great place to meet new people

When you first start university you quickly make friends with people in your corridor/halls and people on your course but it can be difficult to meet other people on campus.

Joining clubs and societies gives you a licence to make friends and flirt with nice guys and girls, all of whom have similar interests to you, from across the whole university!

2/ A unique chance to try something new or different

It’s not often that you get the chance to try lots of new things without lots of hassle or expense. University clubs and societies give you that opportunity. Maybe you have a natural affinity for rock climbing, archery or sailing...here’s your chance to find out!

3/ CV development

When you leave university you’re going to be competing with your fellow students for jobs.

Employers look very favourably on graduates that went out of their way to show some commitment, organisational skills or leadership whilst at university.

It looks for example if you edited your university’s newspaper, if you were involved in student politics, if you helped organise the drama society productions or even if you were an avid member of the university kayak club. They all show dedication and commitment and employers lot people that have well rounded interests.

4/ Good fun and stress relief

At some point you’re going to have to get your head down and do some work at university. Depending on what course you do you could have up to 1 billion hours of lectures a week. This means you’re going to get mentally exhausted.

The pub and hanging out with mates can be a good distraction but your clubs and societies can be a brilliant escape from the books.

Members of The Student Room ( http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk ) who just started university have been talking about what societies they’ve been joining and it seems to be a mix of fun stuff with some relevant to their courses.

Here are some quotes:

“I went along to one of the Greek society's socials, and the girls there were gorgeous.”
Smooth3k at Warwick

“Join the laziness society. You're not a proper member unless you don't turn up to socials.”
Dan also at Warwick

“American Football, SubAqua, Rowing, Economics, Young Entrepreneurs, Poker, Real ale and cider. Signed up for everything, but can't do most of this stuff”
Zunemax at Lancaster

Some more information on university societies:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...

Uni of York Societies:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...

Uni of Sussex societies:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...

Remember: CLUBS CAN BE COOOOOOL!!
(with the exception of golf clubs and maybe live role playing...)