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PLAN TWO
HOURS OF STUDY TIME FOR EVERY HOUR YOU SPEND IN CLASS
Students making the transition from high school to higher
education are often unaware that more is expected of them.
The benefits of following this rule will be apparent at exam
time.
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STUDY DIFFICULT
(OR BORING) SUBJECTS FIRST.
If your chemistry problems put you to sleep, go to them
first, while you are fresh. If you discover that you continually
avoid a subject, that course is a potential trouble area.
Take a look at the circumstance of this behavior.
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AVOID SCHEDULING
MARATHON STUDY SESSIONS
Three 3-hour sessions are more productive than one 9-hour
session. With a great deal of study ahead of you, the temptation
is to put off by sharpening a dozen of pencils and changing
the light bulbs. When you study, take planned breaks every
hour. Focus for short spans, then give your brain a rest.
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BE AWARE
OF YOUR BEST TIME OF DAY.
One hour of daylight study is worth one and one half hours
of nighttime study. Study your most difficult subjects when
the sun is up.
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USE WAITING
TIME.
Five minutes waiting for the bus, 20 minutes between classes
- waiting adds up fast. Have short study tasks ready to do
during these times: 3x5 cards with equations, formulas, or
definitions can be pulled out anywhere; class notes can be
reviewed in fifteen minutes if you are prepared.
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PAY ATTENTION
TO YOUR ATTENTION.
Breaks in concentration are often caused by internal interruptions;
your own thoughts jumping in to tell you another story about
the world. What then happens, notice the thoughts and let
them go.
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AGREE WITH
LIVING MATES ABOUT STUDY TIME.
Make the rules clear, and be sure to follow them yourself.
Make explicit agreements not to disturb or tempt each other
during study hours.
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AVOID NOISE
DISTRACTIONS.
The overwhelming majority of research indicates that silence
is the best form of music for study. Some students have reported
good results with carefully selected and controlled music.
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NOTICE HOW
OTHERS MISUSE YOUR TIME.
Be aware of repeat offenders, Ask yourself are certain friends
who consistently interrupt your study time. If avoiding the
interrupter is impractical, send a clear message.
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GET OFF THE
PHONE
The telephone is the perfect interrupter. You don't have to
be a telephone victim. If a simple, "I can't talk, I'm
studying" doesn't work, use dead silence. It's a conversation
killer. If you assume that you are responsible for the telephone
calls you receive, than take control of the situation.
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LEARN TO
SAY NO.
This is a valuable time-saver for students and a valuable
life skill. Many people feel it is rude to refuse a request.
Saying no can be done effectively and courteously. When you
tell people that you can't comply yourself because you are
busy educating yourself, 99% will understand.
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HANG A "DO
NOT DISTURB" SIGN ON YOUR DOOR.
They work. Using one will relieve you of making a decision
about cutting off each interruption - a time-saver itself.
THINGS YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK.
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ASK: WHAT
IS ONE TASK THAT I CAN DO TO ACCOMPLISH MY GOAL?
This is a good technique to use on big, imposing jobs. Pick
out one small accomplishment then just do it. Reward yourself,
and carry on with another one.
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ASK: AM I
BEATING MYSELF UP?
When you get frustrated, or your attention wanders, or you
fall behind on assignments, ask yourself how you feel about
it. Lighten up. Develop a plan to do better. Don't add to
the problems by berating yourself.
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ASK: IS THIS
A PIANO?
Carpenters who build rough frames for buildings have a saying
they use when they bend a nail or hack a chunk out of a two-by-four.
They say, "Well, this ain't no piano." It means
perfection is not necessary.
Some people never get started because they demand to much
perfection and the task seems daunting. If you can complete
a job 95% in two hours, and 100% imperfect in four hours,
ask yourself was the additional 5% worth doubling the amount
of time you spend.
Sometimes it is a piano. Accept lower standards where appropriate,
especially when time is short.
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ASK: HOW
DID I JUST WASTE TIME?
We operate by habit and tend to waste time in the same way
over and over again. When you have noticed things that kill
your time, you are more likely to catch yourself in the act
next time. Observing one small quirk may save you hours.
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ASK: WOULD
I PAY MYSELF FOR WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW?
If you were employed as a student, would you be earning your
wages? Ask yourself this question when you have taken your
third popcorn break in 30 minutes. You are investing in your
own productivity and sometimes you don't realize what a mediocre
job may cost you.
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ASK: CAN
I DO JUST ONE MORE THING?
Almost always you may have enough energy to do just one more
short task. If you get in the habit of working until you are
done, then doing one more thing, those end-of-the-day tasks
will soon add up.
