How To Plan Study Time
Getting into some good habits from the start will really help you succeed in your studies. Anything you can do to make life easier has got to be worth it.
Here are some excellent tips to help you plan your studies so that the time you spend is as productive as possible:
- Work hard to establish a routine
If you make a point of trying to study at a regular time every day, it will soon become a habit. In other words, a form of behaviour that after a while starts to feel perfectly natural - even effortless.
- Plan ahead, and be disciplined
If you can, write down your entire study schedule for the coming week. Use a chart or your regular diary. Then treat each study session as if it were an important business appointment. The kind of appointment you'd never dream of breaking!
- Study in short but frequent stretches
Research shows it's better to study in short bursts that to try and cram everything into one long study session. Sessions lasting 30 to 40 minutes work best for most people. Take a five minute break at the end of that time, then you'll be ready to continue. And don't stay seated during your break. Stand up. Stretch. Walk around, and get the blood flowing.
- Study in daylight, if you can
Okay, it won't always be possible. But research shows that we study most productively in daylight hours. In fact, it's suggested that studying in the daytime is up to 50% more effective than studying at night.
- Avoid studying within half an hour of eating
We all know that drowsy feeling after a meal, while your body works hard to digest what you've just eaten. This is not a good time to try and engage your brain in serious effort.
- Leave at least half an hour between finishing your study and going to sleep
Studying stimulates the brain, so allow yourself some 'unwinding time' before turning in. That way you've a much better chance of a refreshing night's rest.
- Ask the people you live with to support you
Explain that you need them to leave you alone while you're studying. It's a simple step, but you could be pleasantly surprised at how well it works.