HOW TO MAKE THE BEST STUDY TIMETABLE (that you'll actually stick to!) ✨📚

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to creating an effective revision timetable for exams. It advises identifying personal productivity peaks, prioritizing tasks, and scheduling downtime. The presenter suggests using Parkinson's Law to manage time efficiently, focusing on one subject at a time, and gradually increasing study sessions. They emphasize the importance of discipline over motivation and recommend adjusting the timetable for exam season to mirror actual exam conditions.

Takeaways

• 🕒 **Time of Day Matters**: Schedule revision sessions based on whether you're a morning person or a night owl for maximum productivity.
• 🔍 **Self-Awareness**: Understand your personal study habits and create a timetable that suits your natural rhythm to avoid burnout.
• 📅 **Prioritize and Block Out Time**: Identify and schedule non-negotiable activities and downtime to maintain a balanced study-life routine.
• 📈 **Gradual Progress**: Start with small, achievable study goals and gradually increase them to build focus and discipline.
• 🚫 **Avoid Multitasking**: Stick to one subject at a time to maintain focus and effectively absorb information.
• 📘 **Subject Ranking**: Allocate more time to subjects you find difficult to improve your overall performance.
• 📝 **Consistency Over Intensity**: Regular short study sessions are more beneficial than infrequent, long cramming sessions.
• 📆 **Retrospective Timetable**: After learning the content, use a retrospective timetable to review and grade your revision sessions for future planning.
• 🗓️ **Weekend Wisdom**: Reserve time for relaxation and enjoyment on weekends to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• ⏰ **Exam Season Adjustments**: Adapt your timetable during exam season to mimic exam conditions and focus on areas that need improvement based on mock exams.
• 🏋️‍♂️ **Discipline Over Motivation**: Maintain discipline and stick to your study schedule even when motivation wanes to ensure consistent progress.

Q & A

What is the importance of understanding whether you are a night owl or an early bird for creating a revision timetable?

Understanding whether you are a night owl or an early bird is crucial for creating a revision timetable because it helps determine the most productive times for you to study. Scheduling revision sessions during your peak productivity times can prevent burnout and make studying more enjoyable and effective.

Why is it recommended to schedule downtime after coming back from school or university?

Scheduling downtime after school or university is recommended because it allows for relaxation and activities not related to academics. This break is essential for mental well-being and can help prevent burnout, making future study sessions more productive.

What is Parkinson's Law as mentioned in the script, and how can it be applied to revision?

Parkinson's Law states that 'work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.' In the context of revision, it suggests that if you allocate more time than necessary for a task, you may end up spending most of that time being unproductive. To apply this, allocate less time than you think you need to complete a task to encourage focus and efficiency.

How does the speaker suggest ranking subjects in a revision timetable?

The speaker suggests ranking subjects based on difficulty. Subjects that are harder or yield worse grades should be given more time in the timetable to improve and ensure better performance in those areas.

What is the 'one subject rule' mentioned in the script, and why is it important?

The 'one subject rule' is a strategy where you focus on only one subject per day, ideally different from the last period studied in school. This rule is important because it prevents multitasking and allows for deeper focus on one topic, which can lead to better retention and understanding.

How does the speaker recommend easing into revision sessions?

The speaker recommends easing into revision sessions by starting with small, achievable goals such as completing one or two pomodoro sessions. This gradual approach helps build focus and prevents the feeling of being overwhelmed, which can lead to more effective studying over time.

What is the difference between a prospective and retrospective timetable as discussed in the script?

A prospective timetable is a plan looking forward, outlining what you intend to study on specific days. In contrast, a retrospective timetable reviews past study sessions, grades them by difficulty, and uses this information to plan future revision, focusing on areas of weakness.

Why is it essential to block out relaxation time and priorities during the weekend in a revision timetable?

Blocking out relaxation time and priorities during the weekend ensures a healthy work-life balance and prevents burnout. It allows for necessary rest and enjoyment, which can increase motivation and productivity during the upcoming week.

How should the revision timetable change during exam season according to the script?

During exam season, the timetable should be adjusted to reflect the actual exam conditions. This includes making revision sessions as long as the exam papers to simulate exam conditions and reallocating time based on performance in mock exams to focus on weaker areas.

What role does discipline play in following a revision timetable, as emphasized in the script?

Discipline is more critical than motivation when following a revision timetable. Even on days when motivation is low, maintaining discipline to adhere to the timetable ensures consistent study habits, which are crucial for exam success.