How Do I Plan For Study?


For many, planning means restrictions and a lack of spontaneity. However the reality is making and sticking to a plan creates more freedom, less strain on your time and reduces the stress of coping with short, medium & long-term goals and unexpected events. You wouldn’t start a new business without a business plan. You wouldn’t build a house without the blueprints. So why begin studying without a plan? Create a study plan based on your abilities, needs and goals.


Creating a Long Term Planner

Planning a day, week or month in advance is good practice. Include the following on your planner:

  • College Deadlines
  • Exam dates
  • Assignment/Essay due dates
  • Telephone tutorial dates
  • Study Group meeting dates
  • Interim due dates, such as when you plan to complete the first draft of an assignment or essay
  • Social & Family Events
  • Theatre, television programmes
  • Guest visits & dinner parties
  • Birthdays & anniversaries
  • Household & medical dates
  • Insurance; car tax; telephone bill
  • Doctors appointment, dentist check-up
  • Employment Commitments
  •    Regular work commitments and events
  •    Meetings
  •    Project deadline

Remember to add “reminders” a week or two in advance of the event so you can start to prepare; do you need to buy a birthday present? Do you need to contact members of your study group to confirm a time or location? Scan the calendar regularly to allow you to plan your day or week.


Contact your tutor if you need further supports for this area of study)


Weekly Schedule

A typical weekly schedule could look something like this


WEEK 1

  • Read/Scan full module : Monday 7- 9pm 
  • Prepare presentation for work: Tuesday 2 – 4pm
  • Football practice: Tuesday 7 –9 pm 
  • Detailed read of unit 1 & 2: Wednesday 7- 9
  • Detailed read of unit 3 & 4: Friday 7 – 8pm

As these events change weekly, it is important to make a new list each week.

Daily Schedule
A typical daily schedule should look something like this:


WEDNESDAY

  • 8:00 – 8:30 – XX
  • 9:30 – 10:30 – XXX
  • 4:45 – XXX
  • 7:00 – 10:15 – XX
  • 10:30 – X

Carry this list with you, cross off each event as it is accomplished. Making a list forces you to plan your day and accomplish the tasks.

When you deviate from the study time schedule trade time, rather thansteal time from the schedule! If an unexpected family event takes up study time, an equal amount of study time can be substituted for recreation time later in the week


Last modified: Thursday, 18 January 2024, 2:50 PM