Hi guys,
After these months of intense studying, I thought about how important it is to have an effective study plan. It helps me deal with the anxiety and keep control of the material.
Here is an explanation of how I usually make my study plan.
Tip 1: organise the material.
Before the beginning of the lessons, I look at the course outline. Then, I break the syllabus into pieces. I write a Word document making a list of all the things I have to do.
I create a sort of index of the topics, specifying the source (books, notes, slides, etc.).
It gives me an idea of what I will have to insert into my study plan without leaving anything behind.
Anyways, remember that it should be flexible. During the classes, you will necessarily have to modify the schedule.
Tip 2: look at the data of the exams.
Sometimes exam's rounds are inconvenient, so you should consider this point before scheduling your study.
Also, try to understand which subject is better to study first. For example, you should consider taking the histology exam before the anatomy one. Indeed, microscopical anatomy is required to understand the macroscopical.
Tip 3: insert some days off.
You are likely to have some setback, especially when making a long-term plan. Also, you have to remember you need to relax to be more productive.
If you do not need these days, you can take advantage of these days to make forward with your work, make up for the work you have back, or sleep a couple of hours more. Trust me: you will be grateful for these days.
Plus, always organise your plan so that you will finish some days ahead of schedule. You might use these days to study something you had left behind.
Furthermore, do not work the day before the exam. I always highlight this point in my posts: you have to arrive at the exam with certainties while rehearsing at the last minute will increase your doubts. You will unavoidably experience the "I do not know anything" feeling, which is terrible for your anxiety and will affect your performance. Whilst, use the previous day only for the last check of most irksome topics but then relax.
Tip 4: progress with your work.
When making the schedule, make yourself already forward. The first days of studying are always the hardest because you do not have the rhythm yet. Knowing that you are ahead will make you less anxious and more confident.
Tip 5: during lessons, make weekly plans.
It is not easy to make a long term daily schedule because you do not know the appointments you will have.
Also, during classes, days are different. Some days you will have 8 hours of classes, while some others only 2. Plus, some lessons are more tiring than others, but you can not know this a priori.
It is why you may consider setting weekly goals. Then, you will split your goals week by week.
Tip 6: during the exam session, do not overload your schedule
I know the exam session is a stressful period. You may feel guilty if you do not spend all your day studying. Anyhow, force yourself to take some time for yourself.
Before the pandemic, when curfew did not exist, I went out with my friends in the evening. We were not up late: we had an aperitif or a pizza. But it lifted me, and it gave me motivation for the following day. Some days I was tempted by telling them I would have stayed home, but I knew it would not have been productive.
Studying for too many hours would affect your concentration, and you will fall into grief for not having been able to work.
Tip 7: make two plans.
Make a long-term plan previously, and then make a daily schedule.
Every day is different, so you may decide you want to sleep an hour more and study a little more in the evening, or the opposite. Also, you will have to organise your work and the other activities, which may vary day by day.
I enjoy making the daily plan the evening before. In this way, I wake up having a precise idea of what I had to do.
Tip 8: if you have more subjects, create a routine.
When preparing for multiple exams, prioritise them.
Identify the moments of your day in which you are more focused. Use these moments to study for the more difficult exam you have.
For example, I am more concentrated in the morning. So I always schedule the more complex subject for the first part of the day, while I dedicate the afternoon to an easier exam.
Tip 9: colour code your plan.
I always use a different colour for every subject. It immediately gives an idea of the subjects I have to study.
(Also, it is pretty and photogenic π).
Tip 10: do not be scared of changing the plan.
It is hard to make a perfect schedule at the first attempt.
While studying, you will notice that you are faster than expected at some topics, while you are slower at some others. Also, you may realise you need some days more for rehearsing, or you will become aware of a better routine.
Do not be scared of making the plan again as many time as you need. Only, be careful of not forgetting some topics while making the new schedule.
These are my hints for making an effective plan. Let me know if you have some more tips! I hope you enjoyed the post π
