How to make a REALISTIC study timetable YOU CAN FOLLOW

Summary

In this educational video, Andy Saw, a UCT medical student, addresses common mistakes in creating study timetables and offers a step-by-step guide to crafting an effective one. He emphasizes the importance of identifying available study times, choosing the most productive time slots, and setting flexible study hours. Andy also advises on planning what to study, focusing on specific topics, and using a to-do list rather than time limits to enhance flexibility and efficiency. He invites viewers to subscribe for more study tips and offers personalized advice for those struggling with their study schedules.

Takeaways

• 📅 Mistake 1: Allocating a specific time for an activity and giving up if not followed.
• ⏰ Mistake 2: Setting time limits for activities which may vary in duration.
• ❓ Mistake 3: Not being specific about what to study.
• 🎯 Mistake 4: Not setting goals to achieve during study time.
• 🗓️ Question 1: When are you going to study? Identify your available times and fixed activities.
• 🧠 Question 2: When can you study based on your peak productivity times?
• ⏳ Question 3: How long do you want to study? Choose a flexible time slot instead of a strict start and end time.
• 📝 Focus on what you need to study each day by listing specific topics or subjects.
• 🔄 Use a to-do list instead of time limits to give yourself flexibility in completing tasks.
• ✅ After each study session, review and adjust your timetable based on what worked and what didn’t.

Q & A

What are common mistakes people make when creating a study timetable?

Common mistakes include allocating a specific time for each activity, setting strict time limits for tasks, not being specific about what to study, and not setting clear goals for study sessions.

Why might allocating specific times for activities in a study timetable lead to failure?

Allocating specific times can lead to failure if an activity cannot be done at that time, causing the entire timetable to feel disrupted and leading to giving up.

How should you determine when you are available to study?

You should look at your weekly planner and write down all the hours you have available each day, highlighting fixed activities that cannot be moved, such as school or work.

What factors should you consider when choosing the best time to study?

Consider when your brain is most active, when you have the least distractions, and when you can focus 100% on your studies. This could be early in the morning, late at night, or in the evening.

Why is it recommended not to set exact starting and finishing times for study sessions?

Not setting exact times allows flexibility to move your study hours around if needed, ensuring you can still complete your desired study time despite interruptions or breaks.

How should students decide what topics to study each day?

Students should check their weekly timetable for lectures and topics that need to be covered, then decide which topics to study based on upcoming classes, exams, and personal performance in subjects.

What is a more effective alternative to allocating time limits for each topic?

Creating a to-do list with specific goals for each study session is more effective. It allows flexibility in the order of tasks and focuses on completing tasks rather than sticking to a time limit.

What should you do at the end of each study session?

Review your study session by evaluating whether you completed all your tasks, assessing any distractions or time issues, and adjusting your timetable accordingly.

How can high school students handle multiple subjects in their study timetable?

They should prioritize subjects based on their performance and the demands of the subject, studying more frequently the subjects that are more challenging or demanding.

What additional resources does the speaker offer for students needing help with study timetables?

The speaker offers one-on-one sessions for personalized advice, mentorship packages for high school and medical students, and support for those wanting to improve academic performance or study medicine.