Study schedules are a practical and inexpensive tool that can help manage study time. The study schedule provides an overview of what needs to be done and the time available to do it. If you want to be more organized and motivated to do the best you can, try creating a personal study schedule.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Designing a Schedule
Step 1. Write down all your obligations
Think about and write down all of your obligations so they can be taken into account when filling out your schedule. By thinking through all the obligations in advance, before starting to fill in the schedule, the actual schedule creation will be carried out more smoothly.
- Consider school/college hours, work, assignments, sports, playing sports, etc. that you usually do during times that might otherwise be used for studying.
- Don't forget to include everyone's birthdays and public holidays.
- You may not be able to remember all your obligations at once – that's okay; New obligations can always be added later.
Step 2. Gather all the information regarding the assignment/subject/lecture
To do this step, you may have to collect all the syllabus and instruction sheets for your term paper or project, and check online for announcements about the subject/course you are taking there (such as a Blackboard or a course management system). another).
Step 3. Consider the most optimal time of day for you to study
Take time to consider when you can-or will be able to-learn as much as possible. Do you find it easier to study in the morning or at night? Taking this into account now will help you schedule study times during the hours you are most likely to absorb the subject matter.
When taking this step, try not to take into account other obligations (such as work, etc.); just write down your best study hours as if there was nothing else to do
Step 4. Determine the schedule format
Schedules can be made on paper or in digital form, such as in a spreadsheet or in a mobile application.
- A spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel or Apple Numbers, provides an obvious solution. In addition, there are many word processing programs that provide templates for creating schedules.
- You can also opt for an online solution. One program that received good reviews and is available as a mobile app or website is My Study Life.
- Even if you use your mobile phone or the internet a lot, a paper schedule may still be best, especially if the use of electronic communication devices is not permitted in the classroom during lessons/lectures.
- Schedules on paper and digital have their respective advantages. A digital schedule may be easier to create and massively revise, while many small changes can be made to a printed schedule that you can carry with you everywhere. Printed schedules are also easier (or at least more fun) to color and decorate.
- You can also choose a combination of the two: use the computer to create and print a table that has the days and hours written on it. Print out as many as you want (depending on how many weeks you want to plan) and fill in manually with a pencil/pen.
Step 5. Draw the table
All types of schedules should be tables that have the variables “date” and “hour”, with the day of the week lined up at the top and the hour descending on one side.
- If you're making a schedule with pencil/pen on paper, you'll need to make your own chart lines. Blank paper or paper from a regular notebook can be used. Draw the lines of the table with a ruler to make it neat.
- The biggest disadvantage of paper-and-pencil scheduling is that it is difficult to make changes to the schedule. Even if the entire schedule is penciled in, adjusting the number of rows or columns can be very challenging. Also, if you need more than one schedule, for example one schedule for each month, you will have to create a schedule on paper from scratch each time.
Part 2 of 3: Filling in the Schedule
Step 1. Choose between a single schedule or a custom schedule
Make a single schedule that stays the same every week. Or, create a special schedule, one for each week, that changes depending on the particular event of the week. All custom schedules can be created at once.
- For a weekly special schedule, start in reverse. Start by entering the big assignment or final exam first, then include other activities backwards. The study schedule needs to be changed based on what big assignments will have to be completed during the week.
- Don't forget to include in your schedule all the things you have considered beforehand. Do this step before scheduling study hours. This step includes all routine commitments, such as playing sports. This step needs to be done in advance to find out when study hours can be scheduled.
- If using a weekly special schedule, don't forget to include special events such as birthdays and holidays.
Step 2. Unite study hours
Try to combine study hours so that they are long enough, for example 2-4 hours at a time. This can help you focus on your studies and use your time more productively.
- However, just because there is no length of time available, doesn't mean that study hours can't be scheduled. If scheduling 45 minutes of study at one time and an hour at another feels like an advantage, go for it.
- Schedule longer study hours for more difficult subjects/courses.
Step 3. Schedule breaks
Rest is very important for success. You're not a robot, so you can't work non-stop for hours on end. Overall, you will perform better if you take regular breaks between work.
Many experts recommend working 45 minutes every hour and resting for 15 minutes. However, everyone is different. So, experiment to find the schedule that works best for you
Step 4. Write down the schedule as specific as possible
Remember all the assignment instructions and syllabus you've put together? Now is the time to use all that information. Schedule long study hours to study certain subject matter / lectures and do assignments.
- Of course activities change over time. The schedule made two months ago may no longer be valid now. However, don't let that stop you from using the schedule. View a schedule as a useful guide, something that keeps you from getting off track and helps break up large tasks into smaller ones.
- If the amount of homework for a certain subject is always the same every week, that's great to include in the schedule. For example, if you always get 20 math homework every week, divide the assignment and schedule work on each section separately.
Step 5. Schedule more than one subject/lecture in each study session
Doing different subjects/lectures in one study session will prevent you from feeling tired with one subject/lecture and not having the energy to do other things.
Of course that can change during the exam period, when you need to dedicate all your energy to just one subject/course
Step 6. Make the schedule look as attractive as possible
Using color codes to mark subjects/lectures and other obligations will make the schedule easier to use and view. You'll probably be looking at the schedule a lot-so, make it as good as you can!
Use colored pencils if the schedule is on paper. Or, use the highlight feature available in the computer program and print with a color printer. If using an online application, the schedule may already be color-coded, although limited adjustments to the color-code may still be possible
Part 3 of 3: Using Schedule
Step 1. Stick to the schedule
You may need some time to get used to the schedule, but stick with it. Once you get used to it, a schedule will really help!
Step 2. Don't get stressed out by schedules
Don't feel like you have to stick to a schedule right down to the minute. A schedule is just a small system to help you study better. Organize your time according to a schedule, but don't force yourself to stick to it perfectly.
Step 3. Change the schedule
Pay attention to which schedules are successful and which are failing. If something fails, change it! You've worked so hard to create a schedule - there's no need to throw it away when only a few changes are needed to make the schedule the best for you.
Tips
- If starting in reverse and creating a custom schedule that changes weekly seems too much of a hassle for you right now, a standard study schedule can still be created fairly easily. Even if the schedule remains the same every week, there are many benefits to having a schedule.
- Try doing an online image search or using Flickr or Pinterest for free samples or schedule templates you can use.
- Remember, if there is a change in class / lecture hours, adjust your schedule.
