Student tips for managing workload, maintaining motivation and accessing support at UTS.

Assessments, deadlines, motivation slumps, balancing work and life. If you're feeling the pressure this session, you're not alone. 

We asked three UTS Peer Advisors to share what's helped them navigate university challenges — from staying organised and motivated to making the most of student support services.

1. Start small and stay organised

Divvya, a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Business student, knows how quickly assessments can pile up.

Getting started is often the hardest part. Once you build a little momentum, everything feels more manageable.

A planning habit that helped Divvya

One planning habit that helps Divvya stay organised during assessment periods

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One planning habit that helps Divvya stay organised during assessment periods transcript

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Between attending my classes, work assignments and everything else. Uni literally feels like a cycle of deadlines. As a student, doing a double degree, I know firsthand how stressful assignments can be, and frankly, it can get a bit too much. But not all stress is bad. A little can get your brain fired up and get you started on your tasks.

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It does get overwhelming when that motivating stress turns into procrastination, anxiety, and ultimately crashing out. When it gets to that point, the first thing I do is take a deep breath. Because you can't really deal with stress by getting even more stressed. What I like to do is make weekly plans and break down my assignments to the smallest possible task.

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Something as simple as creating the word document. Writing down the titles. Skimming over the rubric. It really gives you instant gratification when you can take these off your list. Just treat it like a progress bar and your assignments as a big monster to overcome. Ultimately, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the assignments, just know that UTS has loads of resources to help you.

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Just take a deep breath and take it one step at a time. You got this.

Her biggest tip is to break assessments into smaller, achievable tasks. Rather than focusing on an entire assignment, start with simple steps like reading the brief, gathering sources, creating an outline, and drafting sections one at a time.

Other strategies that Divvya recommends:

  • Schedule dedicated study time throughout the week.
  • Focus on progress, not perfection.
  • Take advantage of short windows between classes to complete smaller tasks.
  • Remember that it's okay to ask for more time when needed, including through UTS assessment extension options where eligible.

Most importantly, don't forget to look after yourself. Taking breaks, sleeping well, and maintaining balance can help you perform better than pushing through exhaustion.

2. Moving forward during a motivation slump

By mid-session, many students find themselves feeling stuck. For Monica, a postgraduate business student, the key is recognising that motivation naturally comes and goes.

You don't have to push through every slump. Sometimes the best thing you can do is reset.

Lost motivation? Here's what helped Monica

Losing momentum? Peer Advisor Monica’s tips for moving forward

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Losing momentum? Peer Advisor Monica’s tips for moving forward transcript

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It's the middle of the session, and your energy might not be the same as week one, and you might feel that you're stuck in a routine with the same class and the same screen. If you've ever thought that, don't worry, you're not alone. I've been there myself. And here are some tips that can help you when powering through isn't always enough.

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First is changing my study location. That helped me break my routine and gives me an opportunity to explore more of the campus and even the city. Two is taking a proper break. I like exploring new suburbs or the outdoors, and coming back always makes me feel more refreshed. Three is to connect with others. Whether it's my family or friends, I find that having another person to give me advice or even just lend their ear always makes me feel better.

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And four is to be kind, to myself. As an international student, I'm also adjusting to a new country and culture. And sometimes my 100% isn't the same every day, and that's okay. So remember that you're not alone. And here at UTS, there are services and opportunities to help you feel connected and make the most of your semester.

 

A few things that help Monica regain momentum include:

  • Changing study locations to break up routine.
  • Taking proper breaks away from screens and assessments.
  • Connecting with friends, family, or classmates.
  • Being kind to herself during challenging periods.

UTS also offers plenty of spaces and opportunities to help you stay engaged, whether that's finding a new spot to study, getting involved in social activities, or accessing wellbeing support when things feel overwhelming.

Remember: a temporary lack of motivation doesn't mean you're failing. Sometimes a change in environment, routine, or perspective is all you need to get moving again.

3. Finding support that fits your schedule

Calvin, who studies Artificial Intelligence, says one of the biggest surprises about university was discovering just how many support services are available.

I realised support at UTS isn't just academic. There are services that can help with wellbeing, careers, finances, belonging, and much more.

How U:PASS helped Calvin

How U:PASS supported my success at UTS | Calvin's story

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How U:PASS supported my success at UTS | Calvin's story transcript

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I'm not the perfect student,

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and I get stuck on some subjects as well.

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I struggled a lot with Mathematics 1 and 2.

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I wasn't really sure where to get help or support,

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but then my tutor mentioned something about U:PASS?

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And then I thought about what is U:PASS and how do I access it?

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U:PASS are peer-tutored sessions for high risk subjects,

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where the tutors are previous students who took on a high risk subject

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and did really well

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and are now teaching students how to get through that same subject too.

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That's great news.

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Someone who's done

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this subject before can help me to do well in Mathematics 1 and 2.

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But how do I access U:PASS?

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U:PASS can be accessed via your student timetable

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and appears as a subject activity for eligible subjects.

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You can find the full list of U:PASS

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supported classes and student support services on the UTS website.

 

Calvin first discovered student support while looking for help with Mathematics 1 and 2 through U:PASS — a peer-assisted learning program that helped him better understand challenging concepts alongside other students.

Since then, he's accessed other services that fit around his busy university schedule, including health and wellbeing services and opportunities to get involved through ActivateUTS.

Whether you need academic support, career advice, wellbeing assistance, accessibility services, financial guidance, or help navigating university processes, there are services available to support you throughout your studies.

Remember: one step at a time

Assessment periods can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Whether you need help getting organised, finding motivation, improving your study habits, or accessing support, there are people and services at UTS ready to help.

As Divvya, Monica and Calvin remind us, progress doesn't happen all at once. It happens through small steps, asking for help when you need it, and making use of the support available around you. Every step forward is one step closer to your goal. 

If you'd like to talk things through with someone who's been there before, you can book a free appointment with a UTS Peer Advisor. They can help you explore your options, share practical study tips, and connect you with the right support to keep moving forward.

 

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