Balancing Assignments and Exams: My Tips for Surviving the Chaos

If you had asked me before university what the busiest time of year would look like, I would probably have said "exam season." But after a few hectic terms at Warwick, I’ve realised it’s actually when assignments and exams collide that things get challenging!

There’s something particularly stressful about trying to finish a 2,000-word essay while also preparing for multiple exams happening just days apart. It almost feels like being pulled in two different directions — one needing deep focus and creativity, the other needing quick memorisation and problem-solving. At first, I really struggled. I’d spend hours perfecting an assignment, only to panic about revision later. Other times, I’d cram for an exam and hand in an assignment I knew could have been better. It felt like no matter how much I worked, I was constantly behind.

But over time, I found a rhythm that worked for me, and honestly, it’s made university life so much more manageable.

How I Learned to Balance Everything

One of the biggest lessons I learned was getting organised early. During my first term, I made the mistake of thinking "I have time"  and left planning until the last minute. Now, as soon as I get the exam timetable and assignment deadlines, I sit down and block out time for both. Even just seeing the dates on paper helps me feel a lot more in control.

Another thing that helped me massively was prioritising tasks. Before, I treated every assignment and every bit of revision like they were equally urgent, which meant I was constantly jumping between them and feeling overwhelmed. Now, I ask myself:

• What’s due first?
• What will take the longest?
• What am I least confident about?

This way, I can tackle the most important things first, without burning out.

My Top Tips for Success

If I had to give a few pieces of advice to anyone about to enter this hectic period, it would be these:

• Break big tasks into small steps
  Instead of writing "finish assignment," I make mini-goals like "plan structure" or "write introduction." It’s much less scary this way!
• Set time limits
  If I tell myself "you have 2 hours to work on this essay," I stay much more focused than if I leave it open-ended.
• Switch between tasks to stay fresh
  Sometimes, after a couple of hours of assignment writing, my brain feels fried. So, I’ll switch to light revision, like reviewing flashcards, just to give myself a change of pace.
• Use active revision techniques
  Instead of rereading notes (which honestly doesn’t help me much), I do practice questions, explain topics out loud to myself, or use apps like Quizlet.
• Be kind to yourself
  Not every day will go according to plan. There will be days when you feel stuck, tired, or frustrated and that’s completely normal. What matters is picking yourself up and trying again tomorrow.

What I’ve Learned Beyond Academics

Balancing assignments and exams isn’t just about surviving university — it’s about building habits and skills that will stick with you for life - resilience, organisation, and time management. These are things I know will help me far beyond university life, in whatever career path I choose.

Of course, it’s still stressful sometimes. I still have moments where I question how I’ll get everything done. But overall, I’m proud of how much better I’ve gotten at managing the chaos compared to when I first started at Warwick.

Looking back, figuring out how to juggle everything has been one of the biggest personal growth experiences I’ve had here. It’s not always easy — but it’s definitely worth it.
The key is remembering that you don’t have to do it perfectly — you just have to keep moving forward, one small step at a time.