Third‑year MSci Biomedical Science student Rhea shares how she’s managing to juggle her workload during the final month of her most challenging semester so far.
As a third-year MSci Biomedical Science student, I didn't have exams this semester. Instead, I was faced with an 8,000-word written assignment as part of my Translation Medicine module. So rather than walking you through a single day or even a week, I want to talk about the last month before my submission, as this was my most challenging semester so far!
My assignment included designing a complete drug development pipeline from mechanism of action and trial design through to ethics and commercialisation, presented as a formal grant proposal. Around 60% of my time this semester was spent reading through hundreds of articles, layering evidence onto my argument and solidifying my project's premise. To stay focused, I made a point of changing my surroundings whenever I needed a change of pace. This meant sometimes studying in my living room, other times in nearby cafes or university study spaces (the Link and the Muirhead Tower cafe are personal favourites!). The work itself can be a bit unglamorous at times; hours of screen time, reading, typing, snacking and repeat. I found using the Pomodoro method – where my work sessions were broken into 25-minute focus intervals separated by short breaks – helped me keep the work manageable. I also often worked alongside a study partner, helping me stay consistent, motivated and relatively relaxed if I was stressed. A genuine reminder here; if you're deep in a study stretch, please eat, drink water and take breaks! Your brain is working overtime, and it needs the support.
Break at a cafe
Late nights studying at the library
This might sound like an odd thing to bring up, but keeping on top of general household tasks like cooking and laundry made up about 20% of time, and I think it was worth every minute. It's easy to forego these things for more study hours, but there's something grounding about doing a task you know how to do that doesn't demand much brainpower. Cleaning your room, making a proper meal - these things slow you down in a good way and help you maintain a routine when everything else may feel uncertain.
I feel like doing only work can feel a little dull. Spending at least 20% of my time having fun was absolutely non-negotiable. I fully believe that if that proportion of studying had been any higher, I would've burnt out completely. I made sure to take effective breaks whenever I needed to. Short breaks looked like cooking while watching a comfort show or reading instead of doomscrolling (which was always a counter-productive break for me). Longer breaks meant full days out in the city or a games night with friends, no guilt attached. Leaving a stagnant study environment and spending time with people around me did more for my productivity than pushing through. I also went for a run or a walk every morning before sitting down to work. It became a ritual that helped me divide the day and set a clear starting point for studying.
Picnicking with friends
Running alongside the Edgbaston Reservoir
These habits didn't appear overnight; they're things I've figured out over two years of trial and error. Admittedly, this ended up being one of the most enjoyable experiences of my degree, despite how academically challenging it was. This was only because I found a way to stay balanced rather than getting buried. My tips to face the challenging aspects of your studies are to stay organised, set short-term goals and make sure to keep a healthy balance in your life too!
Biomedical Sciences MSci (Dubai), Biomedical Sciences MSci
Hi, I'm Rhea and I'm a Biomedical Science student rep. I spent two years studying at the Dubai campus and am now taking ...
