How do I start a study schedule and stick to it? It always seems like when I try I just stop after a day or two?
Here are a few things:
decide where you’ll schedule - this is totally your choice!! It could be in a spare notebook, a bullet journal, a word document or my Tumblrs printables (or Etsy printables)! I think either my printables or a bullet journal the easiest way for me to plan.
figure out what you’re wanting to schedule - are you plotting out a study schedule, a weekly plan, etc? For studying, it might be easiest to plot out the things you need to study so you can put certain topics at specific times. For weekly planning, figure out things that are set in stone and make sure you’re plotting out when you have time.
use little things to help plan better - try to colour code the areas of your life such as studying, school/uni, your job, social life, etc. Being able to see things all at once can help you determine the free time you have to do other tasks. Having the ability to refer to it should help you stay on top and not stressed over it!
set a review day to organise your schedule - set yourself a day to review and plan out each week. I would recommend Sundays! On this day, look at the past week and see what you accomplished and what you didn’t. This can help see where your productivity lacks and what you can change. Then move on to planning out what is up coming during the week.
put it somewhere visible - if you can see your schedule and be reminded of it every day, you’re more likely to implement it into your daily life. I’d suggest putting it near your bed or on your desk.
try to avoid scheduling a lot of stuff at once - it can be highly demoralising if you’re getting behind or not completing tasks. Try to set a couple of priorities for that day and not a million different things. For this, I’d probably schedule a time rather than a task! I’d recommend having actions list that you refer to during your time periods. With the ‘actions’ list, you need to assess what is the next move when you begin. Decide whether you can do it straight away. If it is under 2 minutes, do it there and then. If not, you can defer it or delegate it. If someone else has to do it, make sure you send it to them and organise all that. If not, defer it to either a specific time in your calendar or a specific day.
tell yourself you’ll follow it - if you tell yourself to go check the schedule in the morning, take note of it and follow it, you’ll be more likely to see it through. Make a real point of adding it into your life. Either telling your friends/family to ask you about it (or even getting them to do one with you), setting reminders on your phone to see how you’re progressing, and finding some gratification if you complete it. Believe you can, and you will!!!
Hope this helps! x
