Lucia - managing multiple projects: how to become a master juggler

Being at uni means that you are going to work hard, but you knew that already, right? Maybe you think uni is like high school, but a bit more difficult?  Well, I am sorry to break this to you, but you are wrong.

Uni is lots harder than high school or any other educational institution you have previously studied. You have many deadlines, lots of assessments, practical projects, internships ... and all these in one year!

But don’t worry - before you start panicking, take a deep breath and let me share with you some tips you can use to make this experience easier and less stressful.

1. Schedule a timetable

Having a timetable with all your deadlines on it will allow you to see when you have to deliver what and, therefore, organise yourself. At Solent University, your lectures will give you a 'Coursework Assessment Brief' at the beginning of the term. Alternatively, you can find this on Solent Online Learning (SOL).

You will have all the important information on this brief, such as when you have to submit your project and the requirements you need. For example, if it’s a presentation, there might be a time limit, if it is an assignment you most probably will have a word count.

Keep all these dates on your diary and check them daily, in case one of your lecturers decides to change the submission deadline.

2. Prioritise your assignments

After having your deadlines in your diary or agenda you should know when you have to deliver each one, so you can start working on those you have to deliver first.

Nonetheless, you might want to start with the tasks you like the least because later on you will have more deadlines and you will be less willing to work on them, or you could start with those that are more challenging.

While I was studying my BA in Media Production at Solent, I had to produce, with a classmate, three social media campaigns on the subject 'Producing for Social Media'. Even though we had other deadlines to meet beforehand, we decided to start working with these projects at the beginning of the second semester because we knew we had to work hard on them and we would be anxious if we left them to the last minute.

3. Ask for help

Being at uni is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and make connections. Your classmates might have skills you don’t have and vice versa, so it’s a great chance for you to share your skills with other students and ask them for help or get their opinion on your projects.

Don’t be shy and ask for help whenever you need it. That will show initiative and will also improve your team skills and your leadership skills since you might have to take the initiative in some groups.

 4. Ask for feedback

Before sending your final submission, make sure to have a meeting with your lecturer once you have submitted a draft of your project or proposal. They can give you valuable feedback that you can then carry out on your project, changing the appropriate things they suggest by adding a particular point or deleting unnecessary information.

Never miss the opportunity of having feedback from your lecturers because it will be constructive and you will learn a lot from them, and your grade can substantially improve if you make the appropriate changes to your work.

---

 

Uni life may be tough but it's also fun and full of excitement; you need to find the right balance between your projects, and everything will be fine.

I know it sounds easier said than done, but if you have made it this far, you are able to finish it. As I said earlier: don’t worry, be happy - and have a diary!