Planning isn’t necessary for everyday routines. But you can’t argue the statement that planning simplifies many activities and makes your days more efficient and productive. Autumn has come, and you have to deal with tons of homework again. Obviously, you need a plan. A really good study plan.
Many sites dedicated to academic writing like EssayShark and similar ones post writing guides and tips for essays, research papers, and other subjects. But we want to help you not with the writing process, but with the time-management.
It’s difficult to organize the studying process properly and get good learning habits. In the beginning, you should keep up with your study plan and develop self-discipline. After a while, you’ll get used to a certain order, and your academic results will improve.
First, let’s talk about the study plan!
How to craft a perfect study plan
Study plans help to navigate through the studying process and efficiently combine various activities. Planning is even more crucial for online students. They have to study without any control and still get all the homework assignments submitted on time.
When you’re crafting your plan, you should stick to the following rules:
- Be realistic
This is the most important rule when it comes to planning. Are you going to complete a five-page essay in two hours? Think again. If you want to get a decent grade, you should either dedicate more time to this task or buy a college essay from a professional writer.
- Forget about cramming
Many generations of students have proved that although cramming is the most popular method of studying, it’s not the most effective. When you try to put all the information for the exam in your head during one night, you might get a satisfying grade. But all your knowledge will disappear the next day!
- Make it short
Every study session that you plan shouldn’t exceed one hour. Don’t get surprised! One hour of focused and efficient studying will give you much more than three hours of cramming mixed with social media and procrastination. One study session can be twenty, forty, or sixty minutes, depending on your level of energy, interest, and urgency.
- Take breaks
Breaks are an indispensable part of the learning process. During pauses, our brains restore energy, and our eyes have some rest. You may also do a bit of exercising or stretching to keep your body awake. The break is absolutely necessary when you switch between two disciplines.
- Don’t get overloaded
Although taking breaks will help to restore your learning abilities, it’s not recommended to have more than three sessions in a row. First of all, your brain needs some time to structure all the new information. Secondly, diverse assignments require much concentration. Finally, you should mix your study with other activities, meals, and sleep to stay healthy, interested, and happy.
- Schedule a buffer session
A buffer session is a couple of hours that you schedule just in case. This session isn’t your goal, but your safety belt for unplanned changes in your regular study plan. For example, let’s say you get sick and skip two one-hour daily sessions. The buffer will help you to keep up with a study plan without effort. The best time for that is early morning or evening during the weekend.
- Be specific
“I’ll dedicate two hours to the international economics on Friday” – such a statement is too vague. You need to schedule more specific assignments, for example, “read two chapters of Jack London’s novel,” or “answer three discussion questions for the American culture class.”
- Rearrange if needed
Planning is a great thing, but you aren’t able to predict all the events or changes. As a first-timer, you’ll also have difficulties with calculating your time for a specific assignment. During the week, look through your study plan and correct it if necessary. Over time, you’ll learn to craft the pans that need the minimum of improvements.
Where to find a schedule template
It’s much easier to turn any kind of activity into a habit if you like how it looks. A stylish study plan is one more reason to stick to your schedule. So, what are the options when it comes to crafting a template?
- DIY
If you have skilled hands, you can create a real masterpiece and craft an individual schedule template for your needs. Use any colors, stickers, and fonts!
- Keep it simple
Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are great tools for crafting a laconic but helpful study plan. You can keep it in digital form or print out.
- Online services
Numerous online services offer ready templates for lesson plans or schedules. They are free of charge. You can craft a unique template even if your talents aren’t related to painting.
After all, the most important tip about study plans is realizing their benefits and sticking to them. Even if you create the most logical and beautiful schedule and don’t stick to it, your efforts will all be in vain. Don’t procrastinate!
