Studying requires a lot of time and effort; therefore, a proper time management technique should be put in place to organize activities. It can be especially overwhelming for first-year students because of the new environment and new approaches to gaining knowledge. Consequently, it is essential to prepare a strategy before the beginning of classes.
Plan ahead
Creating a strategy to guide one through the process of preparing for exams can help one keep essential dates in mind. This planning should be done at the beginning of a semester. It is helpful to look at what classes one must attend and what assignments one must submit, and what time must be dedicated to preparing for each.
Use a calendar or a planner
A calendar app on a smartphone can help keep track of all the planning that was done in step 1. It is crucial to create a study structure that is clear and easy to manage. In this way, it will be easier to execute and adhere to it because the app will remind you of what book or article should be read next or which essay requires preparation.
Estimate how much time each activity takes
Developing a proper studying strategy is impossible without setting clear deadlines. Otherwise, one can plan either one event a day or a hundred. It is helpful to sit down and write out how much time is required to read an article or a chapter in a book, or to write a two-page essay. For instance, in general, a standard newspaper article would demand at least ten minutes for proper understanding. This component will help plan each day more accurately.
Be as precise as possible
It is helpful to include every small step that is required to accomplish something when planning studying activities. For instance, intending to “write a three-page essay” requires several steps that may confuse the process of planning and execution. Instead, it is more helpful to write out the activity in the following manner:
- Read essay instructions and highlight essential components
- Study required materials
- Locate additional sources
- Develop thesis and topic sentences
- Draft an essay
- Check for grammar mistakes
This step is optional and can be omitted if one feels confident. However, by using the time estimations for each task that were suggested in the previous step, it will be easier to assess how much time should be dedicated to a particular project. It is especially helpful for freshmen because it helps to structure the process of studying.
Have a checklist for tasks
Most tasks have a similar structure even if they are to be completed for different classes. As was described in the previous step, preparation for writing an essay would have a particular structure. These steps can be written in the form of a checklist to track each component of a task.
Dedicate time for rest
Many college students sacrifice sleep time to incorporate education and work into their lives. However, it is crucial to get enough rest in order to be able to perceive information accurately. One can achieve that by adequately planning activities and eliminating distractions when studying for classes.
To sum up, studying is a lot easier when each step that is required for success is clearly defined and tracked. Therefore, it is important to use additional resources, such as smartphone applications, calendars, or checklists, to enhance the process. Additionally, identifying the time that is required to accomplish one activity can help develop a precise plan that will be easy to execute. Finally, dedicating time appropriately and ensuring that one’s health is not compromised is vital.