Biggest lessons from a final year student

Surviving exam season: how Kortext can be your secret weapon

Written by Biba and reviewed by our team.

The end of my 18 years of education is fast approaching and it’s nearly time to step into the world of graduate employment (scary)!

I’ve been reflecting a lot on my academic journey over the past years at university. Overall, 2025 was a great year full of new challenges, unexpected lessons, and ultimately, a complete overhaul of how I approach studying. 

If you’re feeling the pressure, trying to find your footing or just looking for some fresh perspectives, then trust me, this will be a good read.

1. It’s all about balance…your burnout prevention strategy

This is probably the most crucial lesson that I learned the hard way. During exam and deadline season since taking my GCSEs, I made the classic mistake of consuming myself entirely with university work and thinking that was the only path to success. 

I’d skip meals, forgo social plans, and basically live on the 5th floor of my library. The result? Total academic drain, extreme fatigue, and just being in a bad mood. I was productive in terms of hours spent, but not in terms of effective learning.

Now what I did this time round was in many ways better. I learned that balance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Now, I swear by a strict schedule that integrates breaks and self-care. It might sound counterintuitive to step away when you have a mountain of work, but trust me, it recharges your batteries. 

This could be anything from a quick trip to the gym, a refreshing walk around campus, or even just a short coffee and sweet treat to catch-up with friends. These aren’t distractions; they’re essential components of a sustainable study routine. 

Your brain needs downtime to consolidate information and prevent overwhelm. After one of my exams my friends and I went to watch the Housemaid at the cinema, it was the best post exam thing we did!!!

2. Lectures…go to them 

I’ll be honest, there were times in 2025 when skipping lectures became a weekly habit and catching up later – or never – was what I ended up doing. “I can just read the slides,” I’d tell myself. Big mistake. Huge. What I quickly realised is that you will be more productive going to every lecture than not.

The explanations are better, you can see workings out on the board, and the questions asked by peers all contribute to a richer understanding that you just can’t replicate by skimming notes. 

The fix: Make attending lectures a priority even if it’s 9am after a Wednesday night. And here’s a pro-tip: while in the lectures, actively follow along using any assigned readings especially if your university uses platforms like Kortext. 

The readings often go over concepts in more detail than the lecture itself, allowing you to bridge gaps in your understanding in real-time. Go to your lectures and use the time you would be catching up, by actually using the textbook for more in depth understanding instead.

3. Having something to look forward to

University life can feel like a relentless conveyor belt of assignments and deadlines. Last year, I often found myself lacking motivation because the end goal felt so distant. That’s when I discovered the incredible power of having small, consistent things to look forward to.

The fix: This doesn’t have to be anything major, if you want to book a city break to Italy go for it. It can be as simple as an end of week coffee meetup with friends, finally finishing that book you’ve been wanting to read, or booking a concert for a few months down the line. 

These little lights at the end of the tunnel moments are crucial. They provide a much-needed psychological boost, giving you something positive to work towards and reminding you that there’s a life beyond your textbooks and laptop screens.

4. Conquering homesickness: stay connected and go home if you can 

Homesickness was a real beast for me in 2025, particularly during tougher periods. My unhealthy coping mechanism was to go “non-contact” for 1-2 weeks, thinking that if I didn’t talk to anyone, it would somehow make me stop missing home. DON’T do this. It only made me feel more isolated and miserable.

The fix: This year, I made a conscious effort to stay connected by calling my family and friends regularly. A quick call or even just a text exchange can make a world of difference. If you’re really struggling, don’t hesitate to organise a weekend trip home to reset. It’s so, so, so needed. 

Seeing familiar faces, eating home-cooked food, and just being in a comforting environment can work wonders for your mental well-being, allowing you to return feeling refreshed and re-energised. Remember, your support system is there for a reason, lean on them!

Whatever year you’re in at university, whatever problems you’re facing – speak to someone about them. It’s very likely that others are going through the same situation as you and can resonate with how you’re feeling.

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