Creating A Study Plan
Achieving Your Learning Goals with a Personalized Study Plan
Know the Principles and Pick What You Like
Creating a study plan is like going to the gym: the best plan is the one you stick to.
If we plan to study for eight hours straight, it might feel overwhelming, and we may not stick to it.
Instead, plan for what you can and want to do.
Here are six steps we can take to craft the perfect study plan for us.
1. Assess Learning Preferences
Knowing our learning preferences can help determine which methods and modalities work best.
Identify Your Learning Preference:
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Reading/Writing
Know your preferences and try to combine multiple modalities. For example, let’s say we prefer visual learning. We can focus our sessions on creating or exploring visuals that explain the concept or idea. We can also write about the visuals or listen to someone explain them to us to add another modality.
Self-Reflect on Past Study Habits
What worked best?
What did not work at all?
What made you want not to study?
What made you want to study?
What could a study session look like if it were easy?
Understand Duration, Path, Outcome
Our brains understand tasks in terms of duration, path, and outcome.
Duration: How long will it take?
Path: What steps are needed?
Outcome: What will happen when it’s done?
If we can have answers to these questions, our brains will experience less resistance when attempting a task.
2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Let Go of Perfection
The idea of perfect potential only exists in our minds. If we stop worrying about living up to an unrealistic standard, we can focus on what we have achieved and what we can do next.
Embrace the SMART Goals Framework
To set clear goals, we can use the SMART goals framework as a guideline to set practical goals. If we frame a goal in the SMART framework, they are more likely to get accomplished.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
Let’s dive deeper into each portion.
Specific - A specific goal is clear and precise, detailing precisely what we want to accomplish.
To make a goal specific, we can answer the following questions:
What do I want to accomplish?
Why is this goal important?
Who is involved?
Where is it located?
Which resources or limits are involved?
Measurable - a measurable goal allows us to track our progress and know when we have achieved it.
To make a goal measurable, we can answer:
How much?
How many?
How will I know when it is accomplished?
Achievable - an achievable goal is realistic and attainable, considering your resources and constraints.
To make a goal achievable, we can consider:
How can I accomplish this goal?
Is the goal realistic, given my current constraints?
What resources do I need?
Relevant - A relevant goal aligns with your broader objectives and is worthwhile.
To make a goal relevant, we can answer:
Does this goal matter to me?
Does it align with other relevant goals?
Is it the right time to pursue this goal?
Time-bound - a time-bound goal has a clear deadline, creating a sense of urgency and helping to prioritize tasks.
To make a goal time-bound, we can answer the questions:
When will this goal be achieved?
What can I do today?
What can I do six weeks from now?
What can I do six months from now?
Each of these questions is just a guideline for structuring goals. They do not all need to be answered, but the more questions we answer, the better our goals can be.
Short-term vs. Long-term Goals
Short-term goals are usually accomplished within days, weeks, or months.
Long-term goals take more time to accomplish, often several months to years.
Why Short-Term Goals Matter
Motivation: They give us quick wins and keep us motivated.
Focus: They help us concentrate on what needs to be done now.
Steps: They break down bigger goals into smaller, manageable tasks.
Why Long-Term Goals Matter
Vision: They give us a clear picture of what we want to achieve in the future.
Direction: They guide our short-term goals and daily actions.
Purpose: They help us stay committed to our overall objectives.
How to Balance Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Having too many short-term goals can prevent us from accomplishing our long-term visions, but on the other hand, having too many long-term goals can prevent us from making any progress at all.
There are three ways we can balance short-term and long-term goals:
Link Them Together - short-term goals lead towards our long-term goals. For example, studying for an hour daily (short-term) helps you get good grades and graduate (long-term).
Plan Regularly: Review the goals often. Adjust short-term tasks based on progress towards long-term goals.
Stay Flexible: Be ready to change plans if something isn’t working. It's okay to shift your short-term goals to better suit the long-term vision.
How to Prioritize Goals
When we have multiple goals, we must determine how to prioritize them. There are three guiding principles we can use to prioritize goals:
Urgency and Importance: Focus on what needs immediate attention (urgent) and what has the most impact (important). Use a list to sort tasks into categories. The Eisenhower Matrix is excellent for this.
Set Deadlines: Give time limits for short-term goals to avoid procrastination.
Balance Effort: Don’t overload too many goals at once. Spread them out to manage stress and stay productive.
3. Create the Study Schedule
Time Management
Strategies for time management are crucial when creating an effective study schedule. Here are a few tips for this:
Allocating specific times for study - I recommend planning study times when you are the most alert. This differs for different people and requires us to be in tune with our body’s natural rhythms.
Balancing study with other commitments - consider other obligations too. Leaving other commitments unattended can take up mental space while we study. Scheduling other responsibilities can help us keep a clear mind.
Use time pressure to your advantage - time pressure can make us perform better. It helps determine how often we need to review our content. For example, if we have a test in four weeks, that gives us clear guidelines for determining how often and long we may need to study.
Breaks and Rest
Breaks and rest are essential for two reasons:
Keeps Our Mind Fresh
Studying for a long time without a break will tire us out.
Taking breaks helps our brain rest and recharge.
When you return to studying, you'll feel more alert and ready to learn.
Avoids Burnout
Burnout happens when we feel tired and stressed from too much work.
Taking regular breaks can help stop this from happening.
It’s like giving our brains a little vacation.
Additionally, a few things to remember when trying to have an effective break.
Move Around - use breaks to get up and move. This helps blood flow and keeps us from getting stiff. Simple activities like walking or stretching are great.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well - drink water and have healthy snacks during breaks to keep energy up. Avoid too much caffeine or sugar, which can make us crash later.
Do Something You Enjoy - use breaks to do something fun or relaxing, like listening to music or reading a book. This helps us feel happier and more refreshed when we return to work.
Flexibility
When designing our study schedule, we need to consider that things will not go as planned. There are two things we can do to account for this:
Plan for Spill Days
Spill days are designed to catch whatever may spill over from previous days. These are entire days dedicated to getting back on track.
Assume the Work will Take Longer and Expected
When scheduling our study sessions, I recommend adding about 20% to 30% more time than expected to account for extra difficulty or challenges we may encounter. For example, if a topic is expected to take 30 minutes, I would schedule that session for 40 minutes, just in case.
If things go according to plan and we find ourselves with more time, we can either get ahead or take longer breaks.
4. Implement Evidence-Based Study Strategies
Using evidence-based strategies as the primary method for our study plan ensures that we use our time efficiently and effectively.
I have a few posts on study strategies that you can check out:
11 More Basic Study Strategies
Active Recall & Spaced Repetition
Of course, these methods could be adjusted and updated as we learn more about the science of learning and ourselves.
5. Monitor Progress and Make Adjustments
Self-Assessment
Regular Check-Ins and Reflections
Check-ins are important for three reasons:
Regularly checking how we’re doing helps us know if our study plan works.
We get to think about what we’ve learned and still need to work on.
It’s like looking at a map to see where we are and where to go next.
How to Do It
Set aside a few minutes each week to reflect on progress.
Answer the questions: What went well this week? What was hard? What can I do better next time?
Using Quizzes and Tests to Measure Progress
There are two reasons why we should use quizzes and tests
Quizzes and tests show us what we know and what we need to study more.
They help us see if we’re improving and getting closer to our goals.
How to Use Them
Take practice quizzes and tests regularly.
Check the answers to see what we got right and what we need to review.
Use this information to adjust the study plan.
Feedback
Seeking Feedback from Peers and Instructors
Feedback is essential for two reasons:
Input from others gives us a different perspective on our progress.
It can point out things we might not have noticed.
How to Get Effective Feedback
Ask friends, classmates, or teachers to look at our work.
Listen to their suggestions and think about how we can use their advice to improve.
Use data to determine what changes need to be made
Adapting Strategies
Our study plan needs to be flexible so we can change strategies if we need to.
Sometimes, the way we’re studying might not be the best.
Being flexible means we can change our methods if we need to.
How to Be Flexible
If one study technique isn’t helping, try a different one. For example, if reading notes isn’t enough, try making flashcards or teaching the material to someone else.
We need to keep changing methods until we see the progress we want.
Continual Improvement Based on Results
Always look for ways to improve your studying. Small improvements can make a big difference over time. Students who seek to make progress tend to outperform students who seek perfection over the long term.
How to Keep Improving
Use the self-assessments, quizzes, tests, and feedback to find areas to improve.
Make small changes to the study plan and see how they work.
Change one thing at a time to know what is effective and what is not.
Keep what works and change what doesn’t.
By regularly checking our progress, getting feedback, and being flexible with our study methods, we can create a study plan that helps us keep improving and reaching our goals.
6. Have a Plan for Common Challenges
There are three common challenges that derail most student’s study plans. While eliminating these challenges permanently can be unrealistic, having a plan to overcome them can help tremendously.
The three most common challenges are:
Procrastination
Burnout
Distractions
Combating Procrastination
Remove Temptations
Find the most distracting things, like your phone or TV, and put them away when studying.
Create a clean, quiet space where we can focus without interruptions.
Use Temptations as Rewards
Instead of giving in to distractions immediately, use them as rewards for finishing the study goals.
For example, we can tell ourselves that we can watch a TV show after we study for an hour.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Big tasks can feel overwhelming and make us want to procrastinate.
Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on completing one step at a time.
Set a Timer
Use a timer to set short study periods, like 25 minutes (Pomodoro Technique), followed by a 5-minute break. Adjust the time intervals to work best for you.
This helps us stay focused and makes studying feel less daunting.
Find Your Why
We can stay motivated when considering why we want to achieve our goals.
Whether we’re trying to get a good grade, learn something new, or reach a personal milestone, remembering our purpose can motivate us to start and keep going.
Visualize Success
We can picture ourselves achieving our goals and how great it will feel.
Visualizing success can boost our motivation and help us focus on our tasks.
Reward Ourselves
We can give ourselves small rewards for completing tasks.
Rewards can be anything you enjoy, like a treat, a short break, or time to do a fun activity.
Change The Environment
Sometimes, simply changing where we study can help us focus better.
We can find a place where we feel productive and free from distractions.
Accept That It’s Okay Not to Be Perfect
It’s normal to have moments when we procrastinate. If we do, it’s much better to forgive ourselves and get back on the horse rather than make ourselves wrong for procrastinating. Focus on what we can improve next time.
Additionally, many students tend to procrastinate because they want to be perfect. This was mentioned earlier, but it’s worth repeating: when we prioritize progress over perfection, we will go further in the long run.
Start with the Easiest Task
Begin with something simple to build momentum.
Once we start winning, it’s easier to keep going and tackle more challenging tasks.
Combating Burnout
To effectively combat burnout, we must be able to identify signs of burnout.
Signs of Burnout
1. Feeling Very Tired
Constantly feeling exhausted, even after sleeping.
Finding it hard to get up in the morning.
2. Losing Interest
Not caring about things we used to enjoy.
Feeling like nothing matters.
3. Trouble Focusing
Finding it hard to concentrate or remember things.
Feeling scattered and unorganized.
4. Feeling Overwhelmed
Feeling like we have too much to do and can't handle it.
Feeling anxious or stressed all the time.
Methods to Combat Burnout
Take Regular Breaks
Short breaks during study sessions help our brains rest.
Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to schedule breaks.
Get Enough Sleep
Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
Good sleep helps our brain and body recover.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activity can reduce stress and boost our mood.
Even a short walk can help us feel better.
Eat Healthy Foods
Eating nutritious meals gives our bodies the energy they need.
Avoid too much sugar and caffeine, which can make us feel worse later.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Spend a few minutes each day doing something calming, like deep breathing or meditation.
Mindfulness helps us stay present and reduce stress.
It also allows us to reflect on what we need to adjust to prevent burnout.
Talk to Someone
Sharing feelings with friends, family members, or counselors can help.
Talking about our stress can make it feel less overwhelming.
Combating Distractions
Create Distraction-Free Environment
We can most effectively combat distractions by creating a distraction-free environment.
A quiet, organized space helps us focus better and learn more effectively.
Fewer distractions mean you can get more done in less time.
We can create a distraction-free environment in four simple steps:
Choose the Right Place:
Pick a spot that is quiet and away from noisy areas.
Make sure we have good lighting and a comfortable chair.
Organize Our Space:
Keep our study area tidy and free of clutter.
We only have the materials we need for studying on our desks.
Limit Technology:
Turn off notifications on our phones and computers.
Use apps or tools to block distracting websites during study time.
Set Boundaries:
Let others know when we are studying so they don’t interrupt us.
Use a "Do Not Disturb" sign if needed.
Use Tools to Help Us Focus
Timers:
We can use a timer to break our study time into manageable chunks (e.g., the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break).
This helps us stay focused and gives our brain regular breaks.
Focus Apps:
Apps like Forest or StayFocusd can help us stay on task by blocking distracting sites or rewarding us for focused time.
Noise-Canceling Headphones:
These can help block out background noise and create a quiet environment for studying.
Change Environments to Improve Focus
Sometimes, a new setting can help us get out of a productivity slump. Changing our environment can give us a fresh perspective and boost our motivation.
Here are three things to keep in mind when intentionally changing environments
Set a Routine:
Study at the same time every day if possible
A routine helps signal to our brains that it’s time to focus.
Find Different Study Spots:
Try studying in a different location, such as a library, a coffee shop, or a different room in your home. Sometimes, different places in the same room can be effective, too.
A change of scenery can make studying more enjoyable and help you concentrate.
Adjust Your Surroundings:
If we’ve been studying in one spot for too long, rearrange furniture or add some new decorations to make it feel new.
Keeping these ideas in mind will help us create the perfect study plan. But these ideas are useless if we don’t stick to a plan. Don’t forget that creating the ideal study plan is like going to the gym: the best plan is the one we stick to.