Short-term goals might include passing a test in a week, finishing a paper within 2 weeks, or memorizing a presentation in 10 days. For these projects, break up your tasks by day. Long-term goals might include getting into a certain college, winning a scholarship, or landing a certain job or internship. For these, break down your goals by week and month to make them more manageable. Make sure you know exactly how much time you have for each of these goals. Write the end-date down and calculate how many days, weeks, and months are left. For example, what is the deadline for a college application, or when are your exams?
If you have a study guide or a textbook with review sections, use it to narrow down what you list. Reserve time for reading. Reserve time for reviewing your notes. Reserve time to create exam study guides, if you’ll need them. [2] X Research source
Put a number, starting with one, next to all of your subjects or exams. If you need the most time for math, give it a one. If you need the least time for history (and you have five subjects to study for), give it a five. Take into account the difficulty of the subject or exam or the lessons you need to cover. Take into account the amount of reading you will need to do. Take into account the amount of reviewing you will need to do. [3] X Research source
The trick to creating a study schedule is to plan to study at the same time every day so you actually have a schedule you can memorize without constantly checking. By creating a routine, you’ll build a positive study habit. Check if there are times or days of the week you can always study during. For example, you may be free 3-4 p. m. every Tuesday and Thursday. If possible, try to schedule your studying then, because a regular, set routine can help you get into a studying mindset and into one more quickly. Schedule study sessions in 30 to 45-minute blocks. Shorter time blocks are easier to find and to schedule than longer blocks. Create blocks for all of your available time. If you have a certain amount of time before an exam, create a reverse calendar instead of a weekly schedule.
Reserve time for events you can’t reschedule, your grandmother’s birthday, a family reunion, or your dog’s veterinary appointment. Block off any times you have other commitments such as swim practice, family time, or religious services. Reserve plenty of time for rest, sleep, and exercise. If you only have a very limited amount of time before important exams, consider postponing or canceling regular social or extra-curricular activities.
Buy a daily planner or something similar. You can also use a basic notebook. Program your schedule into your smartphone if you have one. The app Power Planner is very useful Only plan for a week at a time first, until you’ve figured out how your schedule works. Prioritize studying for approaching exams. Divide all of your studying up into the limited amount of time you have and spread the material out over the time you have before a given exam. Prioritize courses you are doing poorly in or are determined to ace. [4] X Research source
Determine how many hours a week you currently study. Determine how many hours a week you currently devote to entertainment. Determine how many hours a week you currently spend with friends and family. Do some quick math to see what you could cut. People tend to find they spend a lot of time on entertainment, start there. Make sure to create your study schedule around your work schedule if you work. [5] X Research source
Are you an auditory learner? Perhaps listen to recorded lectures or other audio studying material when driving in the car or when working out in the gym. Are you a visual learner? Can you put up pictures or watch videos to learn? Try watching a video as a way to learn and as a way of entertainment. [6] X Research source
Plan your schedule based on how you think you will work. If you tend to lose focus and take a lot of breaks, build in extra time into your schedule. If you know you procrastinate, build in extra time before any deadlines. This will provide a cushion so you don’t wind up missing a deadline. If you know you have a very solid work ethic, provide yourself with the ability to complete work early. You might do this by creating an extra “bonus” spot in your schedule that you can use to get ahead on any subject you want. [7] X Research source
Look forward to your off time as a reward for studying. Use your off time as a way of recharging. Taking a nap might help you. Going for a walk or doing some yoga might relax you and help you to focus when you need to get back to studying. Make sure to get out of the house. Use your off time to go out away from your study space. [8] X Research source
Take one 5 to 10-minute long break during your study blocks. Don’t exceed 5 to 10 minutes. At the start of your break set an alarm that will go off when your break is over. Use your break wisely. Make sure to use your break to refresh yourself. Take a stretch, go for a short walk, eat a small snack, or get pumped by listening to some music. Avoid distractions that could prolong your break.
Try to get into the habit of looking at your calendar/planner on a regular, preferably daily, basis. This will help keep you away from the “out of sight, out of mind” trap. Once you’ve established a routine, you may start mentally associating certain acts, such as the opening of a textbook or sitting down at a desk, with a study mode. Use an alarm or timer on your phone to alert you when your study blocks begin and end. This will help you stick to your schedule.
Post a copy of your study guide on the refrigerator at home so your family can see it. Email a copy out to your friends so they know when you are free. If someone plans something during a study slot, politely ask them if you can reschedule for another time. [9] X Research source
