How to Not Fall Behind and Stay On Track This Semester

Missing lectures can quickly leave you with a mountain of catch-up work. Here are simple ways to stay organised, keep up with your course and make your university workload feel more manageable...

University gives you plenty of freedom to manage your own time. With lectures, seminars, reading, coursework, revision and a social life all competing for your attention, it can be easy to fall behind.

Maybe you’ve missed a lecture because you overslept, have recordings waiting in your online portal or have a growing list of notes you need to organise.

The good news is that getting back on track can start with a few simple changes to your routine.

From creating a realistic weekly schedule to finding study methods that work for you, here are some practical ways to stay on top of your lectures!

1. Put Every Lecture In Your Calendar

Your university timetable might already show your lectures, but adding them to your personal calendar can make them feel like fixed commitments.

At the beginning of each week, check your timetable and add lectures, seminars and tutorials to your calendar. Include the location or online link and any preparation you need to complete beforehand.

It can also help to add travel time. Giving yourself enough time to get across campus means you’re less likely to arrive late or feel rushed.

Set reminders before each lecture too. A 30-minute reminder can give you enough time to get your laptop, notebook and water bottle ready.

2. Create A Weekly Study Routine

A weekly study routine gives your workload some structure.

Choose regular blocks of time for reviewing lecture material. These could be an hour after a lecture, a morning between seminars or a longer study session at the weekend.

Keep your plan realistic. Your week needs to include time for studying, socialising, eating, exercising and relaxing.

Try creating a weekly plan that includes:

• Lectures and seminars

• Reading

• Assignment deadlines

• Revision

• Social plans

• Exercise and downtime

• Time to catch up on missed work

Having everything in one place makes it easier to see what your week actually looks like.

3. Review Your Notes After Each Lecture

Your notes are easier to understand while the lecture is still fresh in your mind.

After each lecture, spend 15 to 20 minutes going through what you’ve written. Fill in gaps, highlight areas you need to research and write down questions you want to ask.

You don’t need to rewrite everything.

Focus on making your notes useful for future revision. You could summarise the main points, create flashcards or write a short explanation of the topic in your own words.

These small review sessions can make exam revision much more manageable later in the year.

4. Use Lecture Recordings Wisely

If your university provides recorded lectures, they can be useful when you’ve missed a session or need to revisit a difficult topic.

If you have several recordings waiting, make a list and work through them in order of priority. Check upcoming assignments and seminars to identify which topics need your attention first.

Try to make active use of recordings. Pause to make notes, test yourself on what you’ve learned and take short breaks.

If your university platform allows you to adjust playback speed, you may also find this useful for reviewing familiar sections.

5. Find A Study Method That Works For You

There are plenty of study techniques to try, including flashcards, mind maps, active recall and the Pomodoro technique.

Experiment with different approaches and see which ones help you remember information.

For example, you could spend 25 minutes reviewing lecture notes before taking a five-minute break. For content-heavy modules, flashcards can help you test your memory. For essay-based subjects, question-and-answer prompts can help you understand key theories and arguments.

Your study method can also change depending on the module, so give yourself room to experiment.

6. Create A Study Space You Want To Use

Having a dedicated study space can make it easier to get into work mode.

Keep your laptop, charger, notebooks, pens and headphones nearby so you’re ready to start.

If you’re buying study essentials, TOTUM can help you save. John Lewis & Partners currently has a TOTUM offer covering university essentials such as stationery, backpacks, desks, chairs, lamps and technology.

There’s also a current Staples offer giving TOTUM members 15% off when purchasing stationery. Stock up on pens, notebooks, office supplies, and everything you need for study.

Check the individual offer terms before purchasing, as eligibility and exclusions can apply.

7. Keep Your Tech Ready For Lectures

A laptop running out of battery halfway through a lecture can cause unnecessary stress.

Get into the habit of charging your devices before heading to campus. Keeping your charger in your university bag can also save you from having to return home.

If you’re looking for new tech, TOTUM currently has a range of technology offers, including selected laptop discounts and an Apple education offer where buying a MacBook Air can come with an £80 gift card.

Check the latest TOTUM technology offers before making a purchase!

8. Plan Your Meals Around Your Timetable

Long lectures are easier to get through when you’ve got something to eat and drink.

Plan your meals around your timetable and pack snacks for longer days on campus. Having something ready can also save you from making an expensive last-minute food purchase between lectures.

TOTUM’s Food & Drink discounts can help you save when you’re eating out or grabbing food between classes.

10. Deal With Missed Lectures Quickly

Everyone misses a lecture occasionally. Having a plan for catching up can stop one missed session from becoming several.

If you miss a lecture, add the recording or required reading to your calendar. Give yourself a specific deadline for completing it.

A weekly catch-up session can also help. Spend an hour at the end of each week checking each module and making sure you’ve covered everything scheduled.

If something is missing, add it to your plan before the next week gets busy.

11. Ask For Help When You Need It

If you’re struggling with a topic or have fallen behind, speak to your lecturer, seminar tutor or academic adviser.

Your university may also have study skills sessions, library support and other academic resources available.

Your course mates can be useful too. A small study group can give you somewhere to compare notes, discuss difficult topics and keep each other accountable.

Getting support early can make catching up feel far more manageable.

12. Give Yourself Time To Switch Off

Staying on top of your lectures doesn’t mean spending every hour studying.

Make time for friends, societies, hobbies, exercise and downtime. Having plans outside your course can give you something to look forward to during a busy week.

You can also use small rewards to make studying feel more enjoyable. Finish your lecture review and grab a coffee, complete your reading and watch an episode of your favourite show, or finish your weekly study plan before heading out with friends.

Building breaks into your routine can help you create a study schedule that is sustainable.

Stay On Track With TOTUM

Keeping up with lectures is easier when you have a routine that works for you. Organise your timetable, review your notes regularly, break larger tasks into smaller steps and give yourself enough time to rest.

When university spending starts to add up, remember to check your TOTUM membership before you buy.

TOTUM has discounts across categories including technology, food and drink, education, travel, fashion and entertainment. From study essentials to food between lectures, checking your available offers can help you make your budget stretch further.

Stay organised, keep your lectures on track and make the most of university life with TOTUM!