Mojza Blog

How to manage your studies

by Alia naeem | 4 december 2022

Are you sick and tired of trying to balance your studies with everything else, and brilliantly failing? Do you want to know how to manage your studies while making time for everything else? This is how you can regulate your studies without making them overwhelming.

Get a Time Table

It is a schedule that you set that plans your whole day and has a time set for each thing (this includes studying, work, break, time with family and friends, etc.). Make weekly and daily timetables that are flexible according to your needs and studying schedule. 

First, you write the time you start something and what task you will be doing, and then continue writing your next tasks. For example :-

 09:30 – Geography

10:15 – Mathematics

11:00 – Break

11:30  – Computer Science Past Papers

Remember to keep your timetable flexible and set realistic timings. For example, if it would take 1 hour for one task, add five to ten extra minutes to add to the flexibility of the table. Having a time-table increases your productivity and ensures your day is spent adequately.

Make a to-do list

Make a monthly, weekly, or even daily to-do list where you can set the study goals you have to accomplish by the end of that time period. Write the study goals you want to accomplish, for example, a chapter on Geography. You can make your to-do list on a series of different note-taking apps, or better yet, make a hand-written list and, by the end, tick off the things you have accomplished and cross out the things you haven’t yet. 

You can make your to-do list manually, but there are many amazing apps and websites where you can create it. 

Google Docs has a built-in checklist tool to help you make one.

Canva has a series of templates for your to-do list/ checklist. 

Venngage has an archive of templates, and you can begin creating your list in a matter of seconds.

Prioritise tasks

There are only 24 hours a day, and sometimes that’s not enough time for all your studies and other responsibilities. You need to prioritise your tasks. List down the most challenging or time-consuming tasks. Focus on those first, and leave the rest for another time. Remember not to over-commit yourself and try to get everything done in a limited amount of time. Leave the rest for another time when you’re more available and free.

Take your time

You might feel hurried and rushed to finish all your work early, and that’s great, but sometimes it’s not the most effective way of studying. There’s a more likely chance that you might forget what you just studied if you go over it a few times and do not spend enough time on it. You would remember it for a short time, but usually never in the long run. Unless you have a perfect memory.

So, take your time while studying, even if it’s an easy class or subject. For something you find easy, take an hour or two while studying or memorizing it. For something more challenging, work on it for 3-4 hours. 

 

No Distractions

One of the main reasons that you’re not able to study to your full potential is because of distractions. Distractions can come in many forms, and most commonly: as your devices. Understand that there is a different time for fun and other things and a different time for studying. 

While studying, you should put your devices away, or, better yet, give them to someone and instruct them not to give you them back until you’re done studying. Put your phone on do not disturb mode. Also, make sure your room or where you’re studying is not distracting. This means studying in a quiet place and keeping the noise to a minimum. 

Sometimes you’ll get distracted by simply studying for long, continuous hours. The human brain usually can’t focus for long periods of time and will usually get sidetracked. Attempt to keep your breaks frequent but not too lengthy. Keep a timer to tell you when your break finishes in order to stay punctual and productive.

Remember to make a timetable and a to-do list for your studies. Take your time doing each task, prioritise the ones you find more challenging, and do them first. Remember: no distractions. By following these few steps, you can easily manage your studies!

 
Acknowledgements

Author: Alia Naeem
Proofreaders: Syeda Batool Jafri, Abdul Mateen

Mojza

About Mojza

Mojza is a student-led organisation aiming to provide quality resources for Cambridge students.

Other than such weekly blogs, Mojza offers resources for your O levels, IGCSE, and A levels journey. We have notes from reputable teachers, our own original notes and a library of other helpful websites and resources!

Check out our home page!

Published: 4 December 2022
Last Updated: 4 December 2022
Written by  Alia Naeem