5 tips to start a new school year fresh

Organize your space to be productive and comfortable. 

Once you step into your studio, consider how you can organize it for optimal study sessions.  At Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo, Amsterdam Minervahaven, and Leiden, you’ll be equipped with a desk and chair but it’s the personal touches that truly make it yours. Your studio should reflect you and be a space in which you can be productive as well as comfortable.  

To be productive, a desk organizer can be really helpful. Research shows that clutter contributes to procrastination, and keeping everything in one place will motivate you to start studying. Implementing a color-coding system can also be an effective strategy as it will make it easier for you to locate and differentiate your materials, subjects and/or tasks. As an extra piece of advice, try to keep your phone away from this area so you don’t get distracted. 

You also want your studio to be as comfortable as it can be so you should try to organize it and decorate it in a functional way.  This article presents useful insights on how to personalize your furnished studio. If you’re staying in one our buildings in the Netherlands, explore our Studio Stories on Instagram which can serve as an inspiration to decorate yours. 

Explore your surroundings! 

You're all set up and ready to roll. Now, let's look around.  
Welcome to Pozuelo de Alarcón, a super calm and green neighborhood in Madrid. This place has got the whole package – parks, awesome restaurants, sports clubs, and more. If you're up for some details, this article's got you covered. But if you’re looking for a place to have an unforgettable meal, you can find the best places to eat here.

Have a look at our Out and About videos of Amsterdam Zuidas, Amsterdam NDSM and Amsterdam Minervahaven for some hotspots in and around these locations!

Create a study-fun schedule. 

Time management is the key to success so make sure to review your university schedule and decide when to study and when to relax.  To make good use of your time, you can download and create an account in Notion. This platform, aside from being really helpful to take notes, is very useful to organize your to-do list and timings.  

Don't forget to prioritize self-care. Take advantage of the fully equipped gyms located at Madrid Pozuelo, Amsterdam Zuidas, Amsterdam Minervahaven, and Amsterdam Amstel. And if you’re looking for a space to relax, explore our rooftops, which are great for meditation. We recommend you download the Calm app which contains a full set of free guided meditations, perfect for unwinding.  

Look at what your university has to offer. 

Explore your university's offerings by checking out their online portal. Many universities provide valuable information through these portals, including career services. Some even offer personalized guidance and support.  

Network with other students. 

Connect with fellow students to build lasting relationships. The friends you make in university could become lifelong friendships. Step out of your comfort zone and join networking and social events.  
If you're planning to stay in Madrid Pozuelo, here is some valuable information about the upcoming welcome days and events at the universities located nearby: 

• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• ESIC
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid 

Please note that at Student Experience, we also organize such events, providing you with opportunities to meet your neighbors. Stay up to date about the events by checking our Event Calendar on the website. We even have a Facebook group for every Student Experience location to connect with your neighbors. Join the group of you location here: 

• Madrid Pozuelo
• Amsterdam Minervahaven
• Amsterdam Zuidas
• Amsterdam Amstel 
• Amsterdam NDSM
• Leiden