If stress is relieved for you via planning, then you can actually formulate a study plan for an entire term. This can help crunch time late in the term run a little smoother. How? See below!

Figure out the tasks for the term!

  1. As soon as you can, ask after the assessments that you are going to have this term and if possible, their due dates too.
  2. Even if you can’t get a formal task sheet until later, your teachers will be happy to let you know when to start preparing.
  3. Knowing the type of tasks, you will have to complete will help you prepare better. If you have a maths exam, and you know that’s not your strong suit, you can schedule in extra study, or task specific study!

Set Clear goals

  1. Set for yourself academic goals. This doesn’t have to be marks you would like, maybe just milestones you would like to meet or concepts you would like to understand.
  2. You should also have personal goals that will help you balance your study with the rest of your life. 

Create a weekly schedule

  1. Know what days you have your classes on so you can focus on those subjects the night before.
  2. Add in your regular commitments like work, cocurricular, social events. Having everything together means its easier to know how much you can reasonably add to your plate before you get overwhelmed and perhaps burnt out.

Allocate Study Blocks

  1. Dedicate blocks in the day for study! Within those sessions you should plan further to cover a range of topics and subjects. The easiest way to do this is via chunking (discussed at length in other articles!). Essentially is means focusing on a single, specific task for each subject (like writing an introductory paragraph for your English essay), rather than spending half the session trying to just ‘study English’. 

Plan for exams!

  1. These often require the most preparation since they often require memorisation.
  2. START EARLY! Begin exam preparation at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
  3. Schedule more and more sessions as the time gets closer.

Stay Flexible

  1. Adjust your plans as needed, you need to be ready to be flexible should unexpected events arise (like getting sick!).
  2. You also need to ensure you have scheduled in time for relaxation and self-care.

Regular Check-ins

  1. Review your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly.
  2. Reflect on what is working and what isn’t.
  3. Mistakes/setbacks are not net negative. Use them to your advantage. 

Happy Studying!