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A student making notes on an assessment.

30 April 2024

Get better at meeting your assessment deadlines with these planning tips

It’s that time of the study period where assessments are simultaneously rolling in and due for submission. How are you managing the juggle? We understand balancing your uni studies with your other commitments can seem overwhelming at times.

Life is unpredictable and things can happen that are beyond our control, and you may need to apply for assessment extensions (and that’s OK!). However, it’s important to remember that relying too much on receiving extensions to fulfil your study obligations can be risky for a couple of key reasons.

So, how can you stay on track with your studies to avoid any possible pitfalls of assessment extensions? The key is managing your time effectively and finding the right balance. 

Seek help (and do it as early as possible)

If you’re getting behind on assessments because you’re feeling unsure of how to tackle your tasks, there’s a range of Study Support resources designed to help you improve your academic skills.

If you’re really struggling and need personalised help, chat to a Writing MentorMaths Mentor or Language and Learning Adviser to help you understand and improve your assessments. Every Deakin student can also use the online platform Studiosity for tutoring help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Plan your time effectively

One of the secrets to success at university is good time management. It can be as simple as taking some time to plan the days, weeks and months ahead. A good rule of thumb is to put aside 10 hours per week for each unit you’re studying. To make sure you’re creating a realistic study plan, make full use of Deakin’s handy study planners:

We’ve also got a great Assessment Planner tool designed to assist you by breaking down your assessment into manageable stages. Just enter the relevant dates for your assessment and you will receive your assessment plan with a suggested time frame and helpful resources on how to approach each stage of your assessment.

Curb the urge to procrastinate

In addition to planning effectively, it’s important you stick to your schedule. Procrastinating is incredibly common and an easy trap to fall into, but it just puts you under unnecessary pressure.

Try to do some study on most days of the week – even if it’s only one or two hours – so you don’t end up with a mountain of work to catch up on. See our tips on how to break this pesky habit!

Keep your study load manageable

Consider whether your enrolment obligations are realistic regarding your other commitments. If you need to withdraw from a unit, you should do it before the census date for each study period. This is the last day you can drop a unit, intermit or discontinue your course for the current study period without a reference on your academic record or being liable for the full amount of your fees.

If you’re experiencing difficulties, or you think you may not be able to continue studying and need to withdraw from a unit, intermit or discontinue your course, it’s best to speak to Student Central first for advice. They may be able to give you some options or help manage your study load to allow you to continue your studies.

Seek help if you need it

University study is rewarding but it can feel challenging at times. Be kind to yourself and seek support if you’re struggling.

Your wellbeing matters and we’re here to help.



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