Workload Survival Guide for Academics

18 September 2020

Going to university is exciting and fun; however, it means you have to balance your studies and social life. It can be stressful if you don’t know how to manage your workload. Responsibilities sound fantastic, but they can overwhelm you if you don’t plan effectively.

The UAE hosts top-notch universities with world-class facilities that offer high-quality education. The country has partnered with international education providers to bring the most prestigious higher education institutions globally. These resources provide students with the best education; it also means that they have to balance their lives and studies.

Studying in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is known for its hospitality, diversity, economic vitality, political stability, religious tolerance, and safety. The education sector is also competitive and provides world-class institutions.

Pursuing higher education in the UAE enables you to study in some of the most reputable universities in the world. This is a guarantee that you will receive an internationally-recognized certificate at the end of your studies.

Studying in this country also means that you have extensive resources and facilities to help you pursue your degree. Higher education facilities in the UAE are keen to provide their students with the best education. It also enables you to build a strong network that can help you in your career. Also, you can confidently look for jobs anywhere in the world.

How to Manage Your Workload

How do you manage your social life, education, and extracurricular activities at the university? Here is the survival guide to workload management.

Planning:

Planning is crucial for balancing your life at university. It is necessary to have a planner; write down your lectures and other significant events throughout the semester. Look through the modules and note down assignments due dates. Decide how many hours you will spend studying every week and stick to this plan. Set realistic and achievable goals. This way, you can do your assignments on time, study for exams, and have a social life.

Balance:

Studying at a university in Dubai allows you to study and socialize; however, you must prioritize your studies and find a balance in your life. Allow enough time for studies and rest. It is tempting to want to party and have fun with friends, but you have to remind yourself why you decided to study. If you always feel overwhelmed, try to do the most vital or challenging tasks first.

Avoid Multitasking:

You will never get anything done if you focus on many things at once. The best way to excel at your university in Dubai is to follow your planner; study when you need to and do your assignments as you have planned. Multitasking like watching TV or using your phone while studying distracts you and causes poor absorption of information; this might cause failure or requiring more time to study. Focusing on many tasks also causes brain-drain.

Don’t Overwork:

Working hard will help you excel in your studies; however, overworking will strain you, and you might not achieve your goals. Study breaks are crucial to achieving success; it motivates and helps you to stay focused. A productive study break leaves you energized and ready to study again. Effective breaks should refresh and give your mind a break. Doing different things activate different parts of your brain. If you were revising, do something completely different, like taking a short walk. Allowing your mind to rest allows it to absorb and retain more information.

Start Early:

The best way to excel and have balance your studies and social life in the university is to start early. Start with your assignments and essays early; it reduces stress, and you can submit an extensively-researched paper. Waiting to write several essays and meet deadlines at the last minute increases pressure and stress. It also leads to low-quality output which means failure. Stress is harmful to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Routine:

Having a routine and sticking to it crucial for your wellbeing. You get enough rest and still accomplish your goals. It’s easy to go with the flow in the university because life is not structured and you have a few rules on what to do at a particular time. Routines can be exciting, reduce stress, and improve health; these are essential for goal achievement.

Ask for Support:

Do not shy away from asking for help if you find anything too hard to grasp. Knowing when to ask for support helps you to avoid mistakes and save time. Some topics can be hard to understand, and no matter how hard you try, you just don’t get it. It’s necessary to ask your peers or the professor for help instead of failing.

Going to university is fun and exciting because you have more freedom. However, there are more responsibilities. You want to study, socialize and have time for yourself and all these can be overwhelming. You have to prioritize and plan how to deal with every aspect of your life.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Upcoming Educational Trends in 2017

Over the years the education industry has seen a significant amount of change and technology has played a crucial role in its development. Information technology has delivered key services including providing competitive institutional differentiation and enabling digital transformation. Classroom learning has been a part of the system since the introduction of schools and educational institutions. The world is now seeing the introduction of, one of the most advanced technological innovations that have taken learning to a whole new level. Many leading innovative companies have come up with new educational apps or trends that can help students study and learn in a whole new way. These tools can increase relevance for the students and give them a brand new experience when it comes to learning subjects like Math and other important subjects. These technological trends use mobiles, tablets, and many technological innovations to not only make learning easier but also fun. Flipped Learning This is a sort of blended learning where students do not require to step out of their homes to learn. They can simply get their daily does of knowledge sitting right at home through online content and video lectures. What is being implied is that students can learn off each other through critical problem-solving in tiny groups. An interactive classroom environment is created right at home through Wi-Fi enabling students to communicate with each other via mobiles or various other tools. With this technology, educators can measure the responses of the students and their ability both in and out of the class. Remote Learning This is a technological innovation for students who cannot physically make it to school. This trend allows them to attend classes virtually through video and by accessing content online. Other forms of technologies can be included in this program including class forums, video conferencing, social media, pre-recorded videos, and email. Like for example, students can sit right at home and learn Geometry on their mobiles or tablets. Teachers with respect to subject matters can also be introduced into the remote learning as they improve the quality of learning. This technology can reach global masses as long as there is reliable Wi-Fi networks and mobile technologies. Adaptive Learning Adaptive learning is nothing but personalizing and enhancing the learning experience. Adaptive learning helps learners in reducing the time taken to become proficient by eradicating the need to go through the content that they already understand. This improves the effectiveness of our programs because the learner only focuses on what is absolutely needed. The future success of adaptive learning is not only in the design of the technology but in the design of content. Game Based Learning The implementation of the game into learning can enhance motivations along with knowledge and engagement retention. Earlier, the implementation of gaming in learning was to enhance the classroom experience with a game. Later on, learning programs were implemented with gaming technology thereby pulling the players or students to their emotions and motivations. The gaming theory has found a way to implement storytelling in a way that can appeal to the learner's emotions and enhancing their recall. Read More: Have Assignment Problem? Try Assignment Help Online 5 Questions To Ask Yourself While Finalizing An E-Learning Platform For Quality Education 4 Lessons Content Marketers Can Learn From E-Learning Courses Solve Assignment Problem In UK What You Need To Be A Successful Entrepreneur

10 Tips to Memorize All Necessary Information Before Exams

We all know that all the information should be learned not on the night before the exam. However, it often happens so when we all get to study. And without going into details on how bad it actually is (yes, we have all been there, my friends), let’s see what tips will help you learn all the information for the exam for several hours. Get started! 2. Get enough sleep You will want to stay up all night to study as much as possible. And though you think that this way you will learn more, it is not so. Your brain cannot work 24/7; that is what the whole concept of sleep is for. You will not be able to memorize all the information and will end up going sleepy and exhausted to the exam. Please do not make such a mistake. It will bring no good to your academic performance. You need to be able to think clearly. So, manage your time and the studying process in advance and make sure to go to bed to have at least six hours of sleep. 2. Get your workplace ready Do not study on a bed or a comfortable couch: you know that you will just fall asleep and no work will be done. So, make sure to study at a table where all the necessary materials are. Make sure to unclutter your workplace and put everything that has nothing to do with the process of studying away. If it sounds weird to you, just try it, and you will be amazed by what an effect this might have on the process of your learning all the material. It is almost as if your brain gets an idea of the necessity of staying focused once you start uncluttering the table! 3. Memorize abbreviations When I was a student, I used to remember most of the complicated concepts by learning them as an abbreviation. Just take the first letters of work and make up an acronym. It is an easy way of learning things. Then when it comes to you passing the exams, you will only need “to unpack” the word and apply it to real life. 4. Make it rhyme Some people (apparently creative ones) tend to make words rhyme to memorize them. If something is too complicated to get, organize everything in such a way that it will rhyme and make total sense. I used this method too when trying to learn everything overnight: with the massive amount of knowledge you need to process, new innovative ways of learning are needed. Take this one: it is fun and useful! 5. Read everything out loud When you read the material, you are using your photographic memory to memorize the concepts. However, once you start reading out loud, you will involve other types of memory in the process. This will make it easier to find whatever you need on one of those shelves in your memory where your wonderfully made brain puts it. It works the same way you memorize a song you heard on the radio: somehow it gets stuck in your head! 6. Rap it! Yes, it is as fun as it sounds. Try to make your studying process more creative by rapping your material out loud. That is not only fun but also extremely efficient. This way you will find committing the hard information to memory a way simpler thing than you thought it would turn out to be. All you need to do is to find some musical tune to play in the background while you rap the texts with intonation. 7. Invite friends to study together Studying all by yourself can be not only dull but also inefficient. You can fall asleep or lose track, and there is no one to stop you and get you back on track. Moreover, you will have someone to read and rap the materials to as well as hear them back. Get some snacks in advance to eat while you study, and enjoy every second of the study-hard fun! 8. Prepare a nice reward After a long night of studying, taking notes, writing new information down, citing the prominent scholars, and trying not to let your brain explode a reward is what will motivate you and will help you get through. However, not just any reward. Think of something you want, and promise that you will get it if you pass an exam. Apart from that, prepare small bonuses for every page read, or each new rule memorized. These can be your favorite sweets or some TV show you can watch during the breaks. Whatever sounds best for you. You can’t have it unless you were magnificent with all the material. Prize can only be taken in case you succeed. 9. Take breaks It is not true that you will learn more if you don’t take breaks. As time flies, your brain gets overwhelmed with information. So, you need to plan time in such a way that every half an hour or so, you get five minutes off. Try to use this time wisely: you can turn your favorite song on, or do some physical exercises that, by the way, boost your ability to comprehend more information in less time. Switch the focus and let your mind rest for some time before it starts dealing with new material again. 11. Go for a walk before the test Do not wake up a few minutes before the test. Make sure to leave some space for a morning walk. If you have a park or a forest nearby, go there. Fresh air has this magic power to help you clear your mind and set a tone for the next day. Do not rush to school right away; take a deep breath and stroll a little. The bottom line is you can do it. All you need is a little bit of determination, lots of creativity and desire to master the subject. Use these tips to make the night before an exam useful and to make the most out of it. Read More: Ten Interview Tips that Might Surprise You: The Medical Edition Free Student Guide to Help You Achieve Exam Success

Transforming Education: The Impact Of Online Assessments And Learning Solutions

Education is undergoing a monumental transformation catalyzed by technology that throws the stale textbook-and-lecture model into the swirling vortex of innovation. With students and professionals around the world grappling with rapidly changing workplace and academic challenges, the demand for flexible, efficient, and high-quality learning tools is at an all-time high. The revolution in technology solutions is more than a matter of convenience; it is a critical response to the needs of a modern, mobile, and diverse society. The Shift To Online Assessments Gone are the days when tests and exams meant nothing more than scribbling our answers on a sheet of paper. Online assessments have reshaped the very nature of testing; they allow for a personalized, adaptive approach that meets the individual learning needs of every student. A Closer Look At The Adaptive Model The adaptive model uses an algorithm that tailors the difficulty of questions and the path of assessment based on the student's responses, ensuring a more accurate reading of their true abilities. This not only reduces test anxiety but also provides instructors with detailed insights into where each student requires further support or challenge. These assessments are not bound by the limitations of traditional time constraints, and, therefore can efficiently evaluate a broad range of skills and knowledge. The Benefits Of Digital Platforms Digital platforms also facilitate quicker and more comprehensive feedback, an essential ingredient in the learning process. Timely and granular feedback empowers students to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, thus aiding in their development and goal-setting. Furthermore, these platforms often integrate tools that support different learning styles, making education more accessible. Learning Solutions In The Technological Era From online tutoring to immersive virtual classroom experiences, learning solutions in the technological era are diverse and dynamic. These tools are not only about content delivery but also about fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The Power Of Virtual Classrooms Virtual classrooms equipped with video conferencing and collaborative software transcend the limitations of physical distance. They facilitate peer interaction, group projects, and real-time communication with teachers or trainers. Additionally, they can feature interactive whiteboards, multimedia resources, and even synchronized educational activities, which makes learning more engaging and productive. On-Demand And Microlearning The rise of on-demand educational content and microlearning offers users a library of resources that they can easily access and digest in short bursts. These resources, often available on mobile devices, align with modern attention spans and the on-the-go lifestyle. They also support continued learning and professional development as they can be integrated into daily life and routines. What Are The Main Components Of Digital Transformation In Education? (From An Educator's Perspective) There are three main aspects of digital transformation in education. Those are data reporting, data management, and data collection. Getting data from various other sources helps the school understand whether they are performing well or if they need to improve. If the data is managed efficiently, it becomes a lot easier for educators to figure out what they require and can make quick decisions depending on accurate information. In the end, getting a complete report of the global and national data helps the schools to compare the results with other institutions and get some of their best practices from all over the world. Data Collection The data is collected from different external and educational stakeholders to help the quality of education. This can include administrators, parents, students, and teachers, along with other agencies who can get some valuable insights towards improving the educational process. Data Management The main motive of data management is speeding up the entire process of managing data with the help of a centralized system. This is going to make sure that all the stakeholders can access the accurate information in time. Data Reporting Global and national reporting have improved and have made it easier for all schools to measure the effectiveness of education. Moreover, this helps educators compare their performance against that of schools from all over the world. Beyond the Buzzwords: Real-World Applications While the concepts of online assessment and learning solutions might seem futuristic to some, they are very much a part of the present-day educational landscape around the world. Schools and businesses are integrating these technologies to stay competitive and to provide the best possible learning experiences. How Institutions Are Adapting Institutions that have embraced technology solutions for education are seeing remarkable improvements in academic performance and professional development outcomes. They’re also witnessing a shift in culture, with students and employees becoming more self-directed in their learning journeys. The Long-Term Impact On The Job Market The enhancements in teaching methodologies facilitated by technology can have far-reaching effects on the job market. A workforce that is accustomed to continuous learning and development using digital tools is better equipped to handle the demands of a rapidly changing economy. This adaptability is increasingly becoming a key job skill, with technology acting as the medium and enabler. Sourcing The Best Technological Tools For schools and businesses looking to leverage the latest technology solutions, finding the right tools can seem like a daunting task. It's crucial to consider factors such as user experience, data analytics capabilities, and the scalability of a particular platform. Recognizing Quality In Education Technology Quality education technology is designed with the learner in mind, offering intuitive interfaces, robust support, and comprehensive content. Data analytics features can provide institutions with vital information on course effectiveness, student progression, and areas for curricular improvement. The Role Of Partnerships And Integration Partnerships between educational institutions and technology providers are significant as they can lead to the development of custom solutions that meet specific needs. Likewise, the integration of technology into a broader educational strategy is key to realizing its full potential — it should be harmonious with existing methodologies and future goals. What Are The Potential Challenges Of Digital Transformation In Education? Even though there are multiple benefits of digital transformation in any educational organization, there are always some challenges. One of the main issues that is most likely to arise is miscommunication or lack of collaboration and communication between the operations and development teams. There has to be proper communication between the two teams, and they need to work effectively, or there is a good chance that the entire process is going to slow down or even get to a pause. Another problem arises when any organization tries to incorporate too many new practices at a time. This can cause frustration and confusion among the team, as they are also trying to cope with everything new that is happening around them. It is better to implement things slowly and introduce new practices so that everyone gets adequate time to get accustomed to the changes. And last but not least, one of the main challenges that every organization faces these days is security. As more data is moving online every day, cyber threats are becoming more dangerous and common. Organizations need to set up comprehensive security solutions to defend their data and systems from these kinds of threats. In Summary The integration of online assessments and learning solutions into the fabric of education marks a pivotal change in the way we approach learning and development. It offers a vision of education that is personalized, adaptive, and accessible — one that meets learners where they are and takes them where they need to go. Read Also: Ten Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education Cégep 101: Everything You Need To Know About Quebec’s Education System

Workload Survival Guide for Academics

Studying in the UAE