If you want to be successful in your studies, you need to begin by planning what you do. By having a plan, your studying becomes more purposeful, more efficient, and will make your life a whole lot easier in the future!
Your planning should include setting study goals and following a study timetable.
Setting study goals for each subject can help focus your attention and increase your motivation. However, you need to make sure that there is a purpose with each of your study goals and not set randomly. These goals should be specific so that they are detailed and exact. They should also be attainable, so be realistic with what you can achieve. They also need to be measurable. This means that you can clearly track your progress.
Being organised is essential for successful study. Tracking which areas you need to focus on in each subject and including these in your study timetable will ensure efficient and successful study. This should avoid the common mistake most students make with their studying which is only focusing on the topics they enjoy and are good at.
It is also important to remember that study sessions are in addition to your homework. But remember that doing your homework well is also consolidating your learning. Your teacher has assigned this homework with a purpose so by completing it you are enhancing your learning and therefore enhancing your studying.
But do not procrastinate and wait until the last minute! Begin following your study timetable today, don’t wait until you’re closer to exams. Study works best when it is built up over time.
It isn’t all strict rules though. You can be flexible with your studying. Try your study timetable for a couple of weeks and if something isn’t working for you change it! Move study sessions around or move which subjects you’re studying when necessary. If you miss some study sessions due to illness or a special event, try to make these up over the weekend, if you can. But remember, life gets in the way of the best laid plans sometimes! If your studying doesn’t go as planned one day or one week, don’t give up, just get back to the plan when you can.
Finally, I recommend sharing your study timetable with your parents so they can help hold you accountable. We all need a bit of encouragement to stay on track sometimes! You’re not in this alone, you’ve got a team around you including your family, friends, and teachers. Utilise these assets to your advantage!
