Author: Jace Blunden

Jace is a second year Human Geography student trapped in a mature-aged student's body. He likes cooking, maps and sitting on his hands during tutorial so he doesn't become 'that guy'.
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Group work: Make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger

We’ve all read ‘Group Work’ in the course guide and made this sound. When the group work bogeyperson rears its revolting head, try not to collapse into a heap of twitching protoplasm. Group work may be difficult, engendering horror stories terrifying enough to be told around a campfire, but it’s not just prescribed because the university hates you. As our own Barrie Shannon, PhD candidate, … Continue reading Group work: Make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger

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How to study smarter

Studying at university can be tough sometimes. If you’re a recent school leaver you may find your tried and trusted study skills are no longer working for you in the university environment. Alison Hillier from Academic Learning Support refers to this as the ‘culture shock’ – where previously successful students become crippled by having to self-direct their learning, as well as becoming derailed by their … Continue reading How to study smarter

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Navigator How-To: Study Plans

Let’s get this out of the way: I am a planning nerd. I love making timetables, charts, and colour coding things. When I enter Officeworks I strut like Tobey McGuire in Spiderman 3. Enjoying this planning business is fortuitous because, for me, it’s totally necessary. Alongside full-time uni, I have three casual jobs, a small army of children and a partner I enjoy spending time … Continue reading Navigator How-To: Study Plans

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Cooking for smarties

Surviving as a student can be fraught with difficulty, not least in the realm of filling your belly and avoiding some form of horrific vitamin deficiency. With everything else going on each semester, it can be easy to overlook the impact a poor diet can have on your wellbeing, student performance, and ability to be a functioning human. We’ve all had that moment of laser-like … Continue reading Cooking for smarties

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5 electives you didn’t know you could study online

Electives can be one of the more enjoyable facets of your degree. They can play the part of a palate cleanser, when you’re suffering through a particularly dry or brutal core course. You can use them to expand your skill set, or knowledge base in support of your goals, or for extra scaffolding on your resume. They’re also a great way to explore an interest … Continue reading 5 electives you didn’t know you could study online

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A fellow student’s guide to using your Semester Break productively

You made it! The semester is over and now it’s time to hibernate under your blanket and binge on snacks and junk TV. However, totally switching off and disappearing from the world, although tempting, can cause more harm than good. By all means take some time to rest, enjoy sleeping in and bask in the glory that is having no assignments due (unless you’re enrolled … Continue reading A fellow student’s guide to using your Semester Break productively

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Tabula Rasa – how to have a productive holiday

You made it! The semester is over and now it’s time to hibernate under your blanket and binge on snacks and junk TV. However, totally switching off and disappearing from the world, although tempting, can cause more harm than good. By all means take some time to rest, enjoy sleeping in and bask in the glory that is having no assignments due (unless you’re enrolled … Continue reading Tabula Rasa – how to have a productive holiday

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A University of Newcastle wall planner with the word 'help' written over it in large red font
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Damage control: how to get back on top of your study

Here you are again.

You’ve procrastinated yourself into a massive hole, haven’t you?

After all those promises you made yourself, you’re staring down the tracks at a fast-approaching exam and you can’t seem to make your legs move.

You have a few options here, but they all basically boil down into two:

  • Stay under that torn, self-disgust stained blanket and google ice-cream delivery or,
  • Get up and get to work.

Obviously, wallowing in your own misery is a seductive option but let’s choose to fight back against your worst self-destructive impulses and get to work, work, work, work, work…

Continue reading “Damage control: how to get back on top of your study”

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