Organisational Tips
I believe the success of studying comes down to two things: positive thinking and organisation. Most people will say that study success comes from motivation, but if you have positive thoughts the motivation will stem from that and you'll have the positivity to say it's ok, you're doing well.
As a student you always find that one thing or another has occupied your time, whether you are studying in the library or at a cafe; or whether you're a social butterfly attending events, parties, meetings... whatever it is, we always seem to be busy. For me, Wednesday, a day that is supposed to be my free day, turned out to be the busiest day of this week!
Whatever level of study you are, you will quickly learn that organisation is hugely important, especially time management. I like to think that I have almost mastered this and sometimes at least, feel like I have my life together! The key to this is that I know I am in control of my time and what I do with it. And I know that as long as I stay calm (and positivity hugely helps with this), then I will finish everything I need to by the deadline and that's what is important.
I'm going to run through the steps that work for me and hopefully they will help you too in preparation for essays or exams, basically how not to be Gretchin (and if the thought of revision/exams make you look like her, then go read my post about how to deal with exam stress)!
1-Know what you need to do and by when
This may sound obvious, but one thing I keep hearing this semester is "when is the exam", or "when is the coursework due", time and time again.
You cannot succeed if you don't know what you need to do, and you certainly won't succeed if you turn up on the wrong date. Go online and look up all of your deadlines and write them down, whether it's in a paper diary, a wall calendar, or a calendar on your phone. Just make sure to write it down somewhere (preferably somewhere that you check often!) and know where you wrote it down. There's no point writing down an important date somewhere that you don't look at or don't remember where it is.
Know what it is that you need to do, if it is an essay question, talk to the teacher to make sure that you understand what the question is asking and that your ideas are going in the right direction. If it is another type of coursework, if you have an online learning platform, check for the coursework breakdown where it will list what needs to be included. If you still want to be double sure, go and talk to your teacher about it, they are there to help!
For an exam, make sure you revise the right material and in the depth expected of you. Again, this should have been mentioned in lessons or online, but if it's not or if you're unsure, go and ask a teacher and they can advise you.
2-Make a 'To-Do' list or revision calendar
I love doing both of these, it makes me feel super organised and I feel in control of my time. I don't always stick to it, but it makes me feel good about my study for doing it and I have a guideline if I ever forget what is left to do. I find it super helpful to have a real list that I can cross things off of, it makes sure that I don't forget something and I feel a sense of achievement when I'm able to something off.
I like to make revision calendars that include all of my subjects and usually I'll colour code it so that each subject is a different colour ('cos who doesn't love a bit of colour in their life?!). I don't like to be too specific in this, but then again I won't be too vague either. For each task I am not too specific, and I don't like to specify time periods. I will set 2 or 3 tasks per day as a realistic goal, at the moment I still have to attend lectures but once I finish lectures it will free up my time for more revision tasks.
This is a part of my revision timetable I'm using at the moment. At the top I have noted how many hours of classes I have, so if I have a busy day of classes, then I will do less outside of class and vice-versa. This week I only have three types of tasks: Mandarin lesson 4/lesson 5 revision, Mandarin speak exam practice, or reading for my essay. They're not too specific, not time restrained and not too much to do, this means it's easier for me to get through as I am not pressuring myself too much or forcing myself to study every second of the day. I also have more flexibility by not adding specific time periods.
3-It's ok to not work
I used to feel bad about not doing work, or not sticking exactly to my revision timetable, but now I know it's ok. It's ok to not complete everything you set out to do on one particular day, and it's ok to not do work if you are too exhausted.
Throughout A-levels my approach to revision got more and more relaxed but this year I think I have reached a new level of relaxed studying. I take baby-steps and I only do as much as I can. That's why I only set 2 or 3 tasks a day, and I know that on a busy day it's ok if I only do 1/3 things. Ever heard of the phrase little and often? Yep, that's me. So don't beat yourself up or get stressed out over not doing work. You need to have a positive mindset to be able to achieve your goals.
As long as you keep trying, you will achieve.
4-Use an app
I have an app called Study Life downloaded on my phone and it's so useful. It contains my timetable, my exams, and tasks. And you can input holidays and term-dates.
When I'm in lesson and have homework, or set a revision topic, I will write it down as a task in this app and then you can input your progress as a percentage for each task.
I find it really useful for keeping track of homework/coursework deadlines, and meetings. And this is where I have my exam dates written down. I check the app daily for the room number of my lessons so it's easy for me to access important dates too.
You can see, I have a lot of tasks that are 'overdue'. I don't stress these, as I know it will get done. I use the task section to add all of the really specific tasks that need to be done and then set a deadline for it. The reason I say it is ok that they are overdue is because this deadline is purposely set before the actual hand-in deadline and I am working through each task with baby-steps. What it does mean is each time I open the app I see a list with 'overdue', 'this week' and 'next week' tasks, this plus my revision timetable helps me to focus (or reminds me if I have forgotten something!) on the things that I should be doing in my study time.
5-Reward yourself!
As well as knowing it's ok to not be able to do everything you had planned to do, it's also ok (and recommended!) that you take regular breaks.
I usually do one of my tasks and then break and watch an episode of the Vampire Diaries, or reward myself with some chocolate, or leave the flat and go to the cafe to get a tea.
If you have been struggling to start, or been putting something off, then it is especially important once you have finished to stop and tell yourself well done. Don't drive straight back into the next assignment. Give your brain a little rest and do something for the next 30mins-1hour.
I hope these tips help, and know that starting is always the hardest part. Once you know how to start, its easy! And if you keep a calm and positive head during the exam period, you will get everything you need to do, done in time. Organisation, or at least feeling like you are organised and in control is important.
Now I'm off to do some exam preparation!
Good luck with coursework and exams!!
