6 tips to rock the new study year

1. Reflect on last year 

Before you dive into the new study year hit pause, grab your journal, and reflect on the past year. Think about how you've been performing. What worked well, and what could use some tweaking? Reflecting on your past study year helps you identify patterns and learn from your mistakes. Here are some journalling prompts we like:  

• What was my biggest academic or personal milestone last year?  
• Which subjects or topics did I excel in, and why? 
• Where did I struggle the most and what factors contributed to that?  
• Which subjects and topics need a bit more focus, and why?  
• What tools or habits were most helpful? (Think apps, time management strategies, study buddies, or routines) 
• When I felt stressed, what habits helped me?  

2. Organize your study space (or study bag) 

A clutter-free, organized study space can do wonders for your productivity and focus. If you like to study in your studio, set up a dedicated study corner or desk. Make sure to keep your bed a sleep-only zone! This separation helps create a mental distinction between work and relaxation.  

To reinforce this separation, consider studying in different environments like a library, café, your university, or Student Experience study rooms. Are you staying at Madrid Pozuelo? Take a look at this article about the best study places in Madrid. Having a dedicated study bag packed with essentials—such as pens, notebooks, your laptop, charger, snacks, and a reusable water bottle or coffee cup—ensures you’re always ready to study, wherever you are. 

3. Create a supportive community 

Surround yourself with like-minded students, friends, family, and even your neighbors who motivate you to succeed. Don't be afraid to reach out and create study groups – even if you're studying a different subject. Make your study sessions more enjoyable by bringing snacks or taking a coffee break together. And remember, it's not just about working hard; it's about enjoying life together, too! Need some help finding friends? Take a look at this article! 

4. Work on your study skills 

Prep yourself with some important study skills. These skills will help you ace your exams while they help you create more time to do fun things!  A successful study year is all about finding the perfect balance between work and play, after all. Get in the mindset to reach your goals, so you can also relax and have fun every now and then. We've written a couple of articles to help you create the right study mindset: 

• Improving your mindset 
• Staying motivated during exams
• Overcoming procrastination 
• Time management
• Improving focus  

5. Focus on well-being 

Your physical and mental health play an important role in your academic performance. Make sure to take care of yourself! Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise regularly. Manage stress by practicing mindfulness or taking some time away from your studies every now and then. After a little well-deserved break, you'll feel a lot more energized! Before the academic year starts, try creating routines that make you feel relaxed and happy. 

6. Set SMART, get smart!  

Setting goals can give you a clear direction of where you're heading. Make sure your goals are SMART: 

• Specific: be clear about what you want to achieve 
• Measurable: set criteria to track your progress 
• Achievable: make sure the goals are realistic 
• Relevant: your goals should be aligned with what you're doing day-to-day 
• Time-bound: set deadlines to keep yourself on track 

For example, instead of saying, “I want to finish my studies”, set a goal (or multiple goals) like, “I want to finish [certain subject] by the end of the semester with a [grade].”  Breaking down your goals into smaller, achievable steps makes them more manageable and increases your chances of success. 

Now you know that preparation is key for rocking your study year, we're giving you one little bonus tip: have faith in yourself! We know you can do it. :)