· 5 min read
Three assignments due in the same week is stressful, but it's usually a planning problem, not a time problem. This simple system helps.
1. Put every deadline in one place
List every assignment, test and presentation for the next four to six weeks with its due date, weighting (% of the module mark) and word count or scope. One list beats five portals and a group chat.
2. Estimate effort, not just dates
For each task, roughly estimate the hours needed:
- Reading and research
- Planning
- Writing or building
- Editing and referencing
A 2,500-word report might need 20 to 25 hours in total. Seeing the hours makes the real workload obvious.
3. Plan backwards
Start from each deadline and work back. Aim to finish one or two days early so there's time to proofread and deal with surprises like a corrupted file, a portal outage or a sick day.
4. Prioritise by weighting and urgency
When two tasks compete, ask:
- Which is due first?
- Which is worth more marks?
- Which one am I most likely to underestimate?
A small quiz due tomorrow and a 40% report due next week both matter, but the report probably needs work starting today.
5. Work in focused blocks
Try 50 minutes of focused work and a 10-minute break. Turn notifications off and keep one task open at a time. Two focused hours are worth more than a distracted afternoon.
6. Ask for help early
If you're confused about a brief, ask your lecturer the first week, not the night before. If you need an extension for a genuine reason, check your university's extension process early, since most have strict deadlines for requests.
A simple weekly routine
- Sunday: review the deadline list and plan the week's blocks.
- Daily: one or two focused blocks per assignment that's in progress.
- Friday: check progress and adjust next week's plan.
If your workload is overwhelming, our team can help with study support, research and editing so you can stay on track.