A Chevener’s guide to academic success
Studying in the UK as a Chevening Scholar can be both exciting and challenging - especially if you’ve been away from academia for a while. In this blog, one of our Social Media Ambassadors, Sofia, shares the practical tips that helped her thrive academically during her time at the University of Bristol.
A lot of Cheveners arrive in the UK after building solid careers back home. Transitioning back to student life, especially in a different academic system, isn’t easy. Although, I only had one gap year between my bachelor’s degree and starting my master’s, I still faced a steep learning curve.
It took some trial and error, but I eventually found my feet. So, I’m sharing some tips to hopefully make your transition a little smoother too!
#1 Master your schedule
When the professors said that each of the three units in a semester would require at least 17 hours of independent work per week, I realised that I had to get serious about time management.
That’s where Google Calendar became a lifesaver.
I started blocking out time for everything including deep work, meals, breaks and even self-care, to avoid the illusion of free time between classes.
But don’t stress out if something goes unplanned, that’s the beauty of life! Your schedule is there to give you structure, not to pressure you into unrealistic perfectionism.
#2 Break your study sessions into smaller chunks
Long study marathons?
No, thanks! I prefer the Pomodoro Technique where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, you take a longer break (around 15-30 minutes).
I usually pair my Pomodoro sessions with some background music, it helps me stay focused without feeling like I’m drowning in silence. My go-to playlists?
- Lo-fi beats for deep concentration
- Bridgerton-style classical pop when I want something lively but not distracting
- Jazz blues for the rainy days
The key is to keep your sessions short and focused. It’s much easier to push through knowing you’ve got a break coming up. Plus, those little 5-minute pauses are the perfect time to grab a coffee, stretch, or just look out the window and reset.
#3 Choose the most comfortable study space 
Where you study matters.
Sometimes I need to be surrounded by noise, especially when I’m working on something more practical, like slides for our start-up from the Idea to Launch unit.
On those days, I head to the Centre for Innovation on campus or my favourite café. The background chatter helps me stay energised and focused.
Then there are the deep-focus days, when I have to power through readings or craft a tricky essay. For that, I go straight to the Wills Memorial Library, the sacred spot for every University of Bristol student.
And when deadlines are looming, I become a bit of a study nomad, hopping from one spot to another to recharge between sessions.
Walking from place to place helps clear my mind and gives me a mental reset before diving back in.
#4 Keep all your notes in one place 
Back home, I used to have notes scattered across countless Google Docs, and surprise, surprise, I could never find them when I actually needed them. I’d tell myself I’d go back and organise them later, but of course, that almost never happened. It was chaos.
When I got here, I realised I needed a better system. There are plenty of free organisers out there; OneNote, Evernote, Notion. I ended up going with Notion and it’s free-to-use templates.
Now I have a single space for everything including lecture notes, research links, readings, and even my to-do lists, all organised and easy to access.
#5 Lean into your support system
My programme is mostly project-based, with a group assignment for almost every subject, and at first, I was quite sceptical about it. Turns out, it’s one of the best parts of the experience.
Seeing how hard other people are working motivates me to push harder, too. Plus, working with others makes it easier to share interesting readings, get feedback, and have genuinely productive discussions.
It’s not just about motivation, though – it’s about perspective. Talking through ideas with others helped me think more critically and creatively. Even for individual assignments, I now prefer to sit with my studious friends and work alongside them.
And if your programme doesn’t have built-in group work? Create your own study group. Text some local Cheveners and suggest a study session, you’d be surprised how much more productive (and less lonely) it feels when you’re working with others.
To sum up, adjusting to student life after working full-time is tough, but it’s also one of the most rewarding challenges you’ll face as a Chevener. If you can find a system that keeps you focused, balanced, and connected, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you adapt.
You’ve already made it this far – trust yourself to figure out the rest! Good luck! ✨