How to get your life together: Student edition α―α‘£π©
Mindset
As cliche and redundant as it sounds, it's important to be positive, as well as realistic, about your academic life. Understand what you want to achieve, what you're capable of, how to effectively push yourself and how to rest. This is the recipe for success.
2. Goal setting
Bouncing off of the mindset step, focus on what it is your want to achieve in your academic life. Be very specific with these goals. Understand and set your yearly goals, quarterly goals, as well as monthly and weekly goals. This will help you plan your days and have a realistic sense of time in terms of how much work needs to be done in certain subjects, how much rest can be had, and how often breaks should be taken.
3. Discipline & self understanding
Understanding who you are as a person and how you learn, process, and retain information can help you effectively practice self discipline.
Questions to ask yourself:
+ What type of learning style do I have?
+ What time of day do I work best in?
+ What environments do I work best in?
+ Are digital or physical notes more comfortable and effective to me?
+ Have I established a pleasant relationship with my instructors and at least one peer in all of my classes?
+ What subjects am I strongest in?
+ Do I learn best in a group environment, one on one, or reviewing notes independently?
+ Am I easily distracted when studying? If so, by what, and can these things be easily prevented?
+ What are specific triggers (if any) that help me get "in the zone?"
+ When are my typical rest days, or times of the week/month/year that I like to rest (no work at all, or very light reviewing)?
4. Daily schedule
Now, create a schedule around your answers to the previous questions and make certain tasks "non-negotiable." (Whether this be "I must brush my teeth and shower after waking up," or "I must study from 6-10 every night," is your decision.) Be realistic with setting these non-negotiable tasks, but also believe in yourself, and try and push yourself a little out of your comfort zone. You know what you're capable of, and if you want to achieve something you feel you're just not ready for, practice,- and build up your stamina!
Things to always include in your daily schedule:
+ Wake up time
+ Getting ready/ commute time
+ At least two meal times
+ At least an hour of leisure time
+ At least seven hours of sleep a night
+ Do your homework the day it is assigned
+ Give yourself a daily reward
Things to always include in your montly schedule:
+ At least one date with friends or family
+At least one date with your significant other
+ At least one phone call with long distance loved ones
+ At least one study date a week with peers or friends
+ At least a certain time during a certain day of the week to completely unplug and rest
+ Read the syllabus and log every important deadline and exam
Other useful tips:
+ Keep your workspace tidy, inspiring and organized
+ Changing the scenery when you work can be a nice change of pace
+ Breaking big tasks down into smaller chunks can feel less overwhelming
+ Plan meals ahead or small snacks so you won't feel hungry/forget to eat
+ Use materials that are effective and fun for you
Studying time frames:
Study time - Break time
20 min - 5 min
30 min - 10 min
45 min - 15 min
1 hr - 20 min
1hr 30 min - 25 min
2 hr - 30-45 min
When should you study?
+ Never the night before
+ Exam - 1 week before
+ Test - 3 days before
+ Study first thing when you awake
+ Review complicated concepts before bed
