When you first came to study in the UK, were you, like me, full of expectations but soon doused by the huge academic pressure? I was pursuing a master’s degree in digital marketing at the University of Hull. At first, I thought that as long as I continued the “hard study mode” from my undergraduate years, I could cope. But reality soon taught me a lesson: Learning cannot rely solely on staying up late and brute force; it requires methods and strategies to be truly efficient and effortless.
Here, I will share five “smart learning” secrets that I have personally practiced and repeatedly verified. They not only helped me get rid of procrastination and anxiety, but also made me more confident and productive in class. If you are also a new international student, I hope these experiences will inspire you.
1. Pomodoro Technique: Focus for 25 minutes and easily complete the task
At the very beginning, as soon as I sat at my desk, I couldn’t help scrolling through my phone or daydreaming. Eventually, I ended up in a hurry and my efficiency was extremely low. It was not until I tried the Pomodoro Technique: focus on work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break, and take a long break once every 4 rounds.
This seemingly simple method has greatly improved my efficiency. By setting the time on websites like Pomofocus(Pomofocus, 2025.), I can finish reading a chapter of a thesis or draft an assignment outline within 25 minutes of concentration. This method broke the state of “not being able to get into the study” and helped me regain my learning rhythm.
Tip: Using the Pomodoro technique for review can also effectively prevent the state of “reading everything in one go before the exam” from breaking down.
2.With the support of digital tools, course arrangement can be easily handled
After coming to the UK, for the first time, I faced a “chaotic situation” of multiple courses, independent projects and team assignments. Traditional paper notes and handwritten schedule books simply can’t keep up with the pace. So I began to use three amazing tools: Notion, Trello and Google Calendar.
Notion(Notion Labs, 2025.): I use it to record class notes, organize reading materials, and plan the progress of my thesis. It has a beautiful interface and is highly customizable.
Trello(Atlassian, 2025): It is used to manage task lists, setting up three sections: “To be Done”, “In Progress”, and “Completed”. Watching tasks be “dragged” step by step to complete them gives a great sense of achievement.
Google Calendar(Google, 2025): Class schedule, deadlines, group meeting arrangements… All are synchronized to your phone with one click, so you won’t miss any important matters anymore.
3.Don’t be afraid to speak up. The more proactive you are, the more confident you will be
In China, many classrooms are characterized by “teachers lecturing and students listening”. In the UK, classroom discussions and critical thinking are important components of learning. At the beginning, I was very unaccustomed. I was always worried that I couldn’t express myself clearly and made mistakes in grammar. But later I found out that teachers and classmates didn’t care whether what you said was perfect or not. The key was whether you had your own ideas.
So I began to prepare one or two questions in advance. Even simply expressing “I don’t quite understand this part” could get the conversation going. More importantly, I will schedule office hours to have one-on-one discussions with my tutor about homework ideas and read materials. The gains have far exceeded expectations.
Suggestion: Before each class, write down the two points that puzzle you the most and ask them out boldly. This is the fastest way to grow.
4.Form study groups and move forward together to double the effect
Fighting alone is too easy to lose one’s way, especially during the essay season or exam months. Therefore, I voluntarily joined the class study group and formed a small study group. We would share materials with each other, explain difficult points to one another, and sometimes go to the library together to review in a “check-in” style.
Interestingly, we come from different countries. Besides studying, we also talk about each other’s cultures, diets and customs. This kind of cross-cultural communication not only deepened my understanding, but also enabled me to truly integrate into the life of studying abroad.
Bonus: You will find that “teaching others” is also the best way to consolidate knowledge.
5.Pay attention to mental health and don’t let anxiety drain you out
I used to overlook this point until one time when I was working on a project for several consecutive nights and my body and emotions completely broke down. Studying abroad is not only about academic pressure, but also involves issues such as cultural adaptation and social loneliness.
Since then, I have begun to consciously take care of my mental health. Spend 10 minutes meditating every day and use meditation apps like Headspace to help yourself relax. Taking a walk, listening to music and basking in the sun on the campus of the University of Hull on weekends, even if it’s just for a short hour, can greatly relieve fatigue.
Want to have a try? Here are Headspace student meditation resources(Headspace, 2025)
Conclusion
As international students, what we are confronted with is not only language barriers, but also changes in learning methods, the pressure of cultural adaptation and the challenges of self-growth. But it is precisely these “difficulties” that make us more flexible, self-disciplined and resilient.
The above five tips are what I have summarized after “falling into traps” on my study abroad journey. They not only improved my academic performance but also filled me with confidence in my study abroad life. You can also find methods that suit you from it and gradually build your own “efficient system”.
