An Absolute Guide To Manage Your Time And Energy For School
If you struggle with time management and are still struggling, then maybe this short guide can help you become better, not perfect but better.
These are not time management techniques, no. None of the techniques personally worked for me because let's be honest. It's not that practical. I'm someone who does not get Pomodoro, nor can i get anything done if i write it down.
It's a mockery really but here are some adjustments that i made that helped me manage my time and energy.
Between classes/breaks/lunch
Have some incomplete work? Do it between classes. The short breaks. The teacher is 5 mins late? Complete at least some of the work, you might not believe it but you get a lot of things done when you add the spare time.
Travel
If you have a lot of travel time, do some of your studying then. If you get headaches, just do active recall or skim through notes, try to revise. You can even practice for tests, take your question paper and try answering the questions in your head.
Home=Studies
I personally only prefer studies at home. All written assignments, essays, extra curriculars, everything is only during school hours (If you don't have the "time". Do it during breaks). Because home is the one place you have minimal distractions beside your gadgets so use that opportunity in any way you can.
Mental lists and Accountability Partners
Normal to do list never work for me so i always keep a mental list of tasks i have to do every single day. It helps. An additional tip is to keep an accountability partner, share your tasks with each other and keep each other on track. Make it more challenging by making each other do something like a dare or something stupid if you don't complete your lists.
No time allotments
I personally feel that keeping a time allotted for every subject/topic is unnecessary like it doesn't work for me. I'll change the subjects when i'm bored. I'll take a break when i feel tired. Having time allotted is like a barrier. (At least for me) It will take time for you to understand difficult topics. Easy concepts can be fitted in the allotted time but difficult ones need more time and energy.
Only important things in the morning
Mornings are the best things that can possibly happen. I'm generally not a morning person, seriously but if you have to study complex topics or if you have some kind of important work then do it in the morning. Nobody disturbs you. Everyone is asleep. You can concentrate on your work and your mind is fresh, you can grasp more things and get your work done by the time everyone gets up.
Get in the flow
Learning things is not difficult. Making aesthetic lists and vision boards is not difficult. Anyone can do it, hell, everyone does it. Sticking to the process consistently is difficult.
You won't see results right away. It will take you time. It will take you energy so take a breath. Stick to the stuff longer than an hour and you'll actually see how difficult topics turn into easy ones. It normally takes 20 mins for you to actually get into "work" mode and it would take another 20 mins to actually get what you're trying to do.
Mindset Shift
What i realise when i look around me is that literally no one actually wants to do the hard work. Many of my friends literally give up after studying a hard topic, they don't put in the effort and the only thing i hear is "It's too hard and i don't have the time and energy right now" and that is the exact mindset that leads them to unwanted stress and cramming before a small test or an exam.
The thing is time is going to pass anyway so might as well get things done. And get it done in the best possible way. Period.
Get Assignment Done In Advance
My school gave me around 5 assignments every week or so, the only way i got them done was through doing all of the work during school hours. Complete them during breaks or free periods, after school or just between classes. And i know, sometimes you'll feel like "This is weird" because everyone else is relaxing and talking. You know what i did? I just sat with my group of friends and i just did my work (written work) while also talking to them. It's not as difficult as you think it is. It's more fun honestly. Honestly, after a while, they too joined me.
One Step Ahead
Look, it's really easy. Set what i call a "One In Advance". Your assignment is due in two weeks? Complete it by next week. Project due in one month. Complete it a week in advance. This is necessary because, when you start early, you finish it earlier than others so you can actually focus on some studying rather than wasting your time managing assignments and tests. You'll actually notice the difference in your stress levels when everything doesn't pile up. The trick is to complete everything before one week.
When You Feel Tired? Rest. Period.
This is non-negotiable. You don't force yourself to work when you are really tired. There is no use doing work when you feel exhausted.
The only thing i did for me to have a few extra hours per day is just allot my time. When i'm at school, it's fully work mode. Do your work and get things done. When i get back home, it's rest + study.
Hope this helps! :)
(By the way, in no way am i promoting toxic productivity. Rest when you need it and take time off. It is a crucial part. Don't. Forget. That. I'm providing you some daily adjustments that made my life easier and can do that to yours too)
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How To Study Using The "Story Method"
One of the most effective study techniques I've used for the past 2-3 years has been this. People remember stories more than normal facts or random pieces of data. Stories allow you to link different facts together and make it easier for you to process.
The easiest way to do this is using "FTF" (First, Then, Finally).
First, the main character (you or anyone else you imagine) will start on a journey. That's scene one. You will need to associate some points to this scene. This will mostly include the overall concept. Basic understanding.
Then, the main character will face a problem. This will include all the major questions revolving around the topic.
Finally, the main character will find the answers. Let's break it down more.
Determine Your Characters And Scene
Depending on what you are studying, choose your characters and scenes. If you're studying chemistry? Imagine that you are the lead scientist who made some error during one of their experiments which made them go into a deep sleep and now the whole world is sleeping and you are the only one who can reverse it. Make new stories. Make them wild. Add dragons. Dialogues can be a few points too.
Read And Make Bullet Points
First, read and refer to various reading materials for the specific topic. And then jot down the main points before underlining the keywords. Now using these keywords, connect it to the story. You will get new ideas and trust me, it will get easier after some time.
The first thing to do after reading the passage or topic, find something that reminds you of something... it may be anything from fictional characters to actors to books, tv shows, movies, literally anything!!
Make A Chain
When you're learning, the best way to remember things is to make a chain out of each topic and it's subdivisions/points/headings. It acts in the same way as a link, you'll connect one link with another and you've got your chain.
You got 3 scenes for different points? Then connect them together.
Write And Relate
Then write down the points. Give one main keyword to each scene and write it down in the margin of your notes or textbook. Review it every day for a week. And then once a week until you can remember every detail of the topic.
Come Up With The Name
Split the word and see if you can come up with a name for the whole story. Keep it simple and make it memorable. Assign one story to each topic.
____________________
Hope it helps :))
I hate ANY toxic/mean motivation so much. "You dont want to study because youre tired? Study tired." No? You a) wont learn anything (much probably) b)will give yourself a headache and you'll be dissapointed in yourself.
Especially: if you're sick, YOU DONT NEED TO LEARN. YOURE SICK, GET A TEA AND SLEEP. It can wait.
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Hiii! :D Thank you <33
I love your blogs so much ♡ they're very motivational.
Heyy!
Thank you, I really appreciate that! :)
There's no "New year. New me". There's only "New year. Old me with modifications." So, don't wait for the new year to work on yourself. Take small steps now so at the end of any year, you can actually say "I'm really happy with how I was this year and I'm only hoping to be better for the coming years". There's absolutely no time frame for changing yourself.
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Heyy :) Thanks!
Today wasn't bad, could have done better but I'm honestly really proud that i almost completed my to do list T-T
Today I:
Completed 6 lessons in Arabic
Completed 2 lesson (Part 1-3) in Business Studies
Tomorrow's to do list:
Wake up early and revise Arabic + learn 1 more lesson.
Study Business Studies 4 chapters for midterm
How To Study For Longer Hours
These are some of my tips that I used for studying for longer hours during my junior and senior year in high school. I generally studied 4 heavy content subjects and 2 languages. And, yes, i did get good grades.
Studying is a task that requires you to be consistent and driven. That is why, I want to make one thing very clear. This is not a promotion of toxic studying when you feel too tired.
I will start with a simple process that i formed.
Work => Compensation => Repeat.
Quality Matters
By quality I mean. One hour spending time recalling facts and answering questions and filling gaps is better than 5 hours of reviewing notes. Just focus on improving your focus and methods. I call it the "FM Method"
You choose one specific method, and you consistently follow it for a specific period.
Longer Hours Should Not Exceed 5
If you have to study for long hours, don't let it exceed 5 hours. The reason is simple. It's useless, and your body will drain up and use all your energy. I used to study for 9 hours some days in my junior year. Now i study only for 3-4 hours every day. The results? Practically the same. My grades didn't drop but i feel more motivated to study and complete everything.
So, don't extend the hours you study. Make your focus and methods better.
20 Second Breaks
When you complete a topic, small or big. Just close your eyes for 20-30 seconds and lean back on your chair and calm your breathing. Process the information. Let everything sink in. Take out the tension. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE. And then after those 20-30 seconds, just glance through the topic before moving to the next one. So, take 20 second breaks.
Active Studying > Passive Studying
This is the same thing i spoke before. Use active methods of studying. Active recall and filling gaps, visual representation, learning through stories and mnemonics.
Passive studying is when you learn through notes, repeating things over and over again, trying to memorize instead of learning and understanding the concepts.
One hour of active studying is better than 5 hours of passive studying.
Rewards
When you complete an hour or two, give yourself a small reward. But the reward should be as productive as your time spent. If you spent the last two hours studying and then you watch 3 hours of your favourite tv show then that is not a good reward.
A reward should actually compensate, you need you calm your brain, not indulge yourself in instant dopamine hits.
Actual Rest
A reward is different from rest.
Rest is essential for your body. Sleep is the body's soother. You used your brain for hours and if you don't let it rest than definitely it doesn't matter how well you're actually studying. You. Will. Feel. Tired.
Burnout Effect
In one way, burnout is good. Honestly, some people's highest point is 30 mins or an hour. They find burnout creeping in after some time had passed. And that is why, if you want to reach at least two hours of studying. You need to push that limit. Every single time. Try moving 30 mins every week. Your max limit is 1 hour. Then this week, study for 1 hr 30 mins. The next week, study for 2hrs. then 2hr 30 mins. Do it for a few weeks.
If you don't push yourself to the max limit. Then you'll never actually reach your goal.
Consistency
This is an indefinite rule. You want to improve your grades. Do it every day.
Your work ethic and your willingness to stick to habits will determine your success.
Make a "Your" Environment.
This is a very underrated thing; you must have a "you" environment. It doesn't matter what it is. Basically a "you" environment is whenever you're there, you're motivated to do work. It doesn't have to be a place really. Another example would be, whenever i'm on my phone, i'm likely to waste my time doing unnecessary things but whenever i'm on my laptop, i'm automatically in "work" mode. So, for you it might be your study desk or even school sometimes.
(I remember, during the last 2 months in senior year, i used to go to the very corner of my classroom, sit on the ground, face the wall, put my headphones on, placed my bag in front of me as a table and just solve accountancy sums because that place was my "work" environment. Honestly, it looked so weird but whenever i was there, my focus was just amazing)
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Hope This Helps!! :)
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