#16 - Exams!

With only a couple weeks of term left, assessments are picking up and exams will shortly be upon us. This can be a very stressful time for a lot of students. Many feel that the final exam will either make or break them for their course. While this can be very much the case it is important to remember that if you don’t go so well, don’t stress. University exams aren’t the be all and end all! There will be plenty of other opportunities. Anyway, here are some tips for exams:

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• Plan your time wisely! – Work on your weaknesses, spend extra time on the units that need it

• It’s never too late to start – Whether you’ve been studying regularly since the beginning of term or it’s the week before, START STUDYING!

• Ask for help – Don’t feel embarrassed asking your tutor or lecturer!

• Check out past exam papers!

• Use your reading time - Plan what you are going to say, start with the questions you're most confident with

-    - Aaron H

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#14 Trello - the perfect tool for project management

Looking for a tool to help manage your projects effectively? Trello is a tool you definitely don't want to miss! Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, Trello tells you what's being worked on, who's working on what, and where something is in a process.



As a Drag & Drop Task Management Tool Trello is one of the best tool for team-based projects. Not only does it enable you to easily see the state of all the parts of a project, it also lets you easily assign tasks to team members, add checklists, attach files, and do other cool stuff. Trello is also a great tool for personal use. As you can see from the screenshot above I've been using Trello to keep track of my assignments. Each list represents a subject that I'm studying and each card represents the assignments that needs to be done. One feature that I really appreciate about Trello is its flexible tagging and labeling as I have created specific color codes based on priority (eg. red means very urgent tasks, and green means completed etc.)

Give it a try - you'll love it. Whether you're using it for team-based projects or for personal chores, you'll certainly benefit from Trello's intuitive and simple interface.

#7 Time Managment

An important aspect of studying is time management. Whether you are doing full- time or part-time at university, time management is key to being successful. Not only is time management important with your studies, it’s also essential when you enter the workforce.

Part-time students have both uni and work to juggle, therefore managing their time efficiently is critical. If they fail to do so they can burn out or become highly stressed out with the deadlines of both university assignments and at their workplace.

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Full time student’s major problem is balancing time between subjects. Taking up to four units means a lot of work and assignments. Ensuring that time is adequately planned out is vital to ensure that there isn't a sudden rush to complete a number of assignments due in the same week or on the same day!

Some tips to ensure your time management is successful:

·         Plan ahead. Look at assignment due dates and plan accordingly

·         Be organised. Use “to do” lists if necessary

·         Prioritise. Do the more important tasks first or the tasks that will take the most time

·         Avoid overload. Don’t forget to relax, take short breaks to ensure you are productive

·         Be flexible. Know how to rearrange your schedule when needed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Aaron H

#2 A personal reflection: study-life balance

One of the first things that really stood out to me when I began university was the amount of time and choice I had with my study. There was no rigorous structure I had to abide by. Nobody telling me what I had to do and when to do it. It was a whole new world, a welcome change from high school. 

A problem I ran into (and a common problem for all) was enjoying myself too much. I neglected my studies to have a raging social life. I would have something to do every day, from hanging with friends to soccer training, uni work was always pushed back. I think it’s important to have a good balance between both worlds. Non-stop studying can be very draining, and you don’t want to risk losing relationships by ignoring your friends and family. While completely neglecting homework/assignments/study will eventually result in extra stress and potentially a failure in your units. 

So enjoy the new found freedom with your studies, just remember that a good balance is the key to success! 

- Aaron H

#1 Let the Hack Begin!

Are you looking for ways to study more effectively and make university life an all-round experience? If so you've come to the right place! MQ UniHack is a resource aimed at providing you useful and practical tips to help you get the most out of your university experience. We’ll be writing about various topics, including but not limited to:

• Hacking your study. Learn more effectively with less time and develop good habits for studying.
• Participating in extra-curricular activities such as Global Leadership Program and student societies to round off your studies and get practical experiences.
• Kick-starting your career. Develop a unique personal brand and promote yourself more effectively.

To put it simply, we write about life hacks that are essential to university students. Whether you study at Macquarie University or not you’ll certainly find useful information on our blog that will help you succeed at university and beyond.

Now a quick introduction of our awesome bloggers:

Michael Wu
I'm on a journey of discovering my voice in the midst of our dynamic business world. Studying a Bachelor of Business Leadership and Commerce I enjoy getting involved in activities and projects that add value to other people. When I'm not glued to the screen I enjoy playing basketball and reading books.

Aaron Hutchinson
Hi, my name is Aaron Hutchinson. I am 19 years old, in my 2nd year of studying at Macquarie Univeristy. I am doing a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing. I would consider myself a laid-back person, but can be very passionate about sports.

Jon Barnitt
Hello. My name is Jonathan Barnitt but you can call me Jon. I am almost 20 years old. I am studying a Bachelor of Commerce Professional Accounting at Macquarie University. I'm in my 2nd year and hoping to finish in 2 and a half years time. I am working full time in Accounting. I like to work hard and play hard. Weekends are the best. I like doing things with friends and family, it doesn't really matter what it is.

Aaron Steven
Hi, I'm Aaron Stone. Currently a 1st year student studying Information Technology, majoring in Software Technology at Macquarie University.
Apart from my deep interest of developing mobile applications that relate to sport and saving lives, I love to make others laugh and smile whenever possible. If you haven't met a triplet before, you have now....

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