(Ep. 33) How to Create a Study Timetable that Actually Works. 10 Strategic Tips.

24 hours are never enough! For a day? They are never enough!

I do feel this way sometimes. I wish I could just add more hours to the 24-hour day. Maybe 100 hours or something. But then, it is how it is.

For a student, time Management is usually very important. The time you spend studying is of great importance. One way to be able to properly manage your time to be able to study effectively is to have a study timetable.

Here are 10 strategic tips that will help you create a study timetable that actually work:

1. Set Your Priorities.

Write down your classes and subjects. Note the subjects that appear bulkier, more difficult, with higher unit loads and that are core courses. Give these subjects more time on your timetable. Then give shorter periods to other subjects

2. Understand Your Circadian Rhythm

When do you study best. Is it during the night or the day, before or after lectures, etc. Set your timetables around those hours. If you don't understand your circadian rhythm yet, try studying for 2 weeks in the day and another 1 week in the night. Pick your best timing and stick to it.

3. Note your Days' Schedules.

What days do you have fewer classes and activities. Put more reading hours for those days. Avoid overloading the days when you know that you will be very busy or tired from other school activities.

4. Be Realistic, Not Over-Ambitious.

Don't set over ambitious timetables. E.g., reading 3 subjects at 5 hours per subject in a day. That's too ambitious. It's not achievable. Even if you do it on day one, you most likely will give up by Day 3. Set realistic goals.

5. Use specific time bounds.

Don't just say, 'I will study Chemistry'. Rather say, 'I will study Chemistry (Atoms and Molecules chapter) for 1 hour from 5.30pm to 6.30pm

6. Be Committed

It's not enough to just create a timetable. Be disciplined enough to be committed to following the timetable. No matter how busy you are in the day, make out time to study, even if it is for just few minutes.

7. Be Flexible.

Life is unpredictable. Some days, you may be loaded with tests or assignments and you don't get to follow your timetable. You may include in your timetable a day in the week that is dedicated to catching up with what days you missed studying. Don't give up too quickly when you fail to stick to your schedules. Try again, diligently.

8. Vary the Subjects.

Studying one course at a stretch can be quite boring. Vary your time table. E.g, instead of just studying Chemistry for 3 straight hours, you could study Chemistry, Maths, English for 1 hour each.

9. Include Rests and Rewards.

Include short breaks in between study periods. And after concluding each study day. Use the reward system. On the days/weeks that you do well in sticking to your timetable, reward yourself with your some favourite meal, snack, movie, etc. This helps to keep you motivated.

10. Review regularly

For each week, review how well you did in following your timetable. Are there aspects of the timetable that should be adjusted or modified. Are there places you should improve, etc. Adjust accordingly.

In conclusion, People who have study timetables usually commit better to studying than people who don't. Create one today and commit to it. That way, you become a spectacular student.

I'm rooting for you.

'The plans of the diligent leads surely to abundance...' Proverbs 21:5a, (NIV)

✌️ 💕 

Dr Tochukwu Onu (PT)