Nikki Richmond explains how you can make the most of your time and keep your studies on track
We all have 24 hours in a day, although if you are juggling work alongside studying and other commitments on top it may feel like those 24 hours are not enough. Students often tell me that they do not have enough time to study and they are overwhelmed by everything that needs doing.
If this sounds familiar, here is a framework to help you get back on track with your studying and feel as though you are making progress as the exams approach.
1. Pick a priority
Given the limited amount of time in a day, it is not possible for us to take every opportunity that presents itself. So how can we decide which opportunities to take and which to pass on? The first thing is to determine what your priority is right now (it may well change over time). If you are taking exams in the next few weeks or months it is likely that these will be top of your priority list. If an opportunity arises, ask if it fits with this priority. If it does then go for it; otherwise, park it for now.
2. Identify tasks
Once you have identified studying as your priority, consider what your goal is and what you need to do in order to achieve it. For example, breaking down a topic into bitesize chunks during the tuition phase of your course or spreading revision bank questions and past papers throughout your revision phase can help you find enough time to practice all topics.
3. Tune into your circadian (daily) and monthly rhythms
Consider when you feel you are best able to do certain types of activities. For example, do you study best first thing in the morning, during the day or into the night? This can help with scheduling. If you have monthly cycles and know that on the first few days you need more sleep then, as far as you are able, ensure you do not skimp on rest.
Once you have decided on your preferred approach then it is time to start putting a plan in place. Here are three of my favourite practical tools that you can use to achieve this.
Give one of these tools a go if you have not tried it before.
1. To-do list
At the start of each day identify the top three study tasks you have. Enjoy the feeling when you complete each goal and cross it off the list.
If any tasks arise during the day, or there are ‘nice to haves’, add these to a separate list that you can review the following day.
2. Time blocking
This builds on the first technique but anchors the tasks to specific times during the day. Add meeting invites to your calendar for the time(s) when you will focus on completing the tasks you have identified. It can act as a motivator – delete it from the calendar once you’re done.
For added accountability, add a colleague or friend to the meeting invite.
3. ‘Pomodoro’ technique
Our ‘working memory’ can only take in so much information at one time. As a result, if we want to study in the most effective way we should concentrate on one task at a time, without distractions. Enter the Pomodoro method. It takes its name from the Italian word for tomato, as this was the shape of the timer used in devising the original method.
Here is how it works. Set a timer (any shape) for a time to focus solely on your task. Once your timer pings you should take a break before restarting the timer for your next session. The original method uses times of 25 minutes for work, five for a rest. Then repeat this cycle three more times, but feel free to flex the times to suit how you work best. I find I get the most out of 45 minutes on a task, followed by a five-minute break, repeated one or two times before taking a longer break.
Remember to review your plan on a daily or weekly basis to evaluate what is working well and what could be better. There is little use in continuing to adopt a plan or technique if it is not achieving your objectives. Make sure you also build in some ‘down time’ to prevent burnout.
The earlier you can start, the more manageable and fun(!) your journey to the exams will become.
- Nikki Richmond, Nikki Richmond Coaching & Training
