Manage Your Time

Manage Your Time

November 21, 2009  |  Time Management

Try and set a specific time to study every day and you’ll find that it makes things so much easier. Look at the classes you have to attend, work out the time that you need to get to them and then set a realistic time every day so it almost becomes like part of your daily timetable. And how much studying do you need to do?

Well you can use a formula that goes something like this: for every hour of class, put in an hour and a half to two hours of study. Why the difference? Well, some of you might read much more quickly than others, some might take a longer time to absorb the same material. So it figures!

Just keep in mind that very often the ones who are slower tend to remember for longer, so it evens out! If you can study soon after your class, that makes it even better because everything is fresh in your mind.

Do take a quick break in between to relax. And remember – don’t push yourself. If you begin over scheduling your study hours, you’ll find yourself overexerting and that doesn’t really work too well in the end.

Where to study

You probably will think it doesn’t matter but it does! We’re talking about the place you choose to sit and study. How do you know you’ve chosen well? Well, let’s tell you how to choose so you can concentrate on your studies and don’t get disturbed or distracted. Let’s go through a process of elimination first.

Don’t choose a place that may not be available always to you. Don’t go park yourself in a place where you know you will be interrupted or distracted. And don’t choose a place that’s either too hot or too cold or your mind’s going to be on the temperature, not on your books! Now for the ‘dos’.

Make sure the place you choose is well-lit and airy so it’s a pleasure to be in, not a drudge. Find yourself a comfortable chair – but not too comfortable so you fall asleep! Keep all your study material at hand so you don’t have to go up and down searching for it.

And try and have a large work area or desk so all your material is close by. Keep it neat so there is enough space for you to write comfortably. And last but not least, lock the door if you can and make sure no-one disturbs you.second. We started in a living room back in 2006 and have been steadily working to build our company into a world-class contender. Today we operate a set of popular marketplaces for digital goods, a family of leading tutorial sites and a series of niche sites and projects.


20 Comments


  1. I’m not boasting, but I’m quite an intelligent girl who can score well if she wants to. but the problem is…I’M LAZY!!!!! Can you please tell me how to motivate myself? I only study on the mornings of the exam! My 12th STD board exams are coming up and I’m still as lazy as before! Help!!!

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    I’ve written on motivation previously, you can read the article here: http://www.study-habits.com/learning-motivation-study/
    as well as on time management: http://www.study-habits.com/time-management-skills/

    As the french author once said: “Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” Make sure that you don’t take any long breaks or start slacking off until you’ve actually accomplished something. Make this a rule of yours, otherwise you might feel tempted to do something else even though you haven’t actually done anything for the day.

    I’m sure you are indeed intelligent as you say but do keep in mind that intelligent people make intelligent decisions and laziness is not a smart decision.

    [Reply]

    Dr.Bidisha Reply:

    i am a doctor i advice you not to sleep more than 6 hours before exams.exercise regularly it will help you to become fresh.
    good luck
    may god bless you

    [Reply]

    alyson Reply:

    well!that isn’t quite right because usually what people advice is to sleep at least for 8 hours before exams.about exercises that’s true!

    [Reply]

  2. it helped me a lot!!thanks!!

    [Reply]

  3. ’m not boasting, but I’m quite an intelligent girl who can score well if she wants to. but the problem is…I’M LAZY!!!!! Can you please tell me how to motivate myself? I only study on the mornings of the exam!please reply

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    I see, I’d recommend you to take a look at the following:

    How To Concentrate
    Motivation

    [Reply]

  4. I AM MARRIED AND ALSO STUDING IN B.A..2nd YR I AM ALSO AIMING AT PSC AND UPSC I AM NOT ABLE TO COPE UP WITH WORK AND STUDY ALSO DUE TO MY SLEEP I WANT SOME TIPS ON HOW PREVENT MY SELF FROM TOO MUCH OF SLEEP ALSO WHEN I AM NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE MY DAYS STUDY I GET FRUSTATED AND END UP WITH WORSE THINGS I WANT SOME TIPS ALSO ON HOW TO MANAGE MY DAYS WORK AND HOW TO KEEP MY SELF MOTIVATED INSPITE OF ALL OTHER DISTURBINCES

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    I see.

    The thing is, how many hours per day do you sleep? Usually, the problem isn’t the amount of sleep but the time when one goes to sleep. We all know that studying during the late hours of the day is very difficult so instead of sleeping late, why not go to bed earlier and thus be able to wake up earlier? If you can go to sleep 1-2 hours earlier everyday that will free up 1-2 hours of the morning. This will enable you to have a period during the day when you do nothing else but study without interfering with your marital life.

    The way you keep yourself motivated is through constantly reminding yourself of the reason for your studies, what you plan on accomplishing and so forth.

    [Reply]

  5. Hi Sir/ Madam,

    One should not kiss his own hand but I have to say that studying well and scoring high is not an issue for me. My issue in terms of studying is this: I always say that “I don’t have time”. Here is why. I am a mother of a 2 year old boy and expecting my 2nd baby in a month. Taking care of my child alone with my husband’s help leave me worn out end of the day. So it is not really that I am lazy but most of the time I procrastinate a lot and at times I am just tired to do anything considering my position.

    In my final year, I really would love to do well to graduate with honours. But how can I manage my time so that I have time to do my assignment and also study well for the exam?

    I would appreciate your advice.

    Regards,

    Salriah

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    Hello madam,

    Congratulations on your coming (and previous) child!

    Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles to getting anything done, no matter what. Whenever you get the urge to procrastinate, remind yourself of it’s true consequences. Try worrying less about your studies and study more. Also don’t be discouraged if it’s difficult at the moment, it usually gets easier as time passes by. Finally, if you feel it’s way to difficult at the moment, there’s no shame in taking a year off until things start to cool down.

    [Reply]

  6. the golden girl

    i’m a very smart studnet and all my teachers and tutors expect me to get As but nowadays my exams are stressing me out (i’m having my IGCSE ,sir) and i can’t study due to my mental state which is not very healthy due to many emotional breakdowns i’m having.

    i am very scared and nervous and i waste my time loads

    i need help with all i mentioned prior

    thx in advance

    [Reply]

    Dr.Bidisha Reply:

    beta when i was in class 7 i lost all my family mebers but stll i am a well known doctor dont panic much have patience & try to concentrate on your studies believe in god he will surely help you.

    good luck
    may god bless you!

    [Reply]

  7. are you satisfied with your answer?

    [Reply]

    the golden girl Reply:

    i guess i do

    [Reply]

  8. I’m the girl who was complaining that i was so lazy that couldn’t motivate myself. I contiued being lazy and didn’t study . my results came out. I got 71%!!! sigh!!! i wish i had studied more and discovered this website a month before my exam!!! :( :( Anyway, my advice to everybody:PLEASE DONT BE LAZY LIKE ME AND REGRET IT!!!!!!! Start studying NOW!!!!

    [Reply]

  9. You have to make a conscious decision to change. If you truly want to manage your time efficiently you need to rethink how you spend your time.

    Don’t give yourself false excuses for not studying. Make sure you know what your goals are so you can strive towards them. I think that you’re already a smart girl, you need to harness that intelligence and develop it further.

    [Reply]

  10. i am really a slow learner.i study so hard before classes which leads me exhausted during my classes.its frustrating when there is no progress in spite of your hard work.
    i am always so tired during exams and i cant study well too.
    i am looking forward hearing from you.
    please

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    I know what you’re describing… However, it’s important to understand that these types of feelings come and go. The sad thing is, human beings have a tendency to focus on the negative aspects and forget about the positive ones.

    I’m sure your hard work and studying hasn’t always lead to disappointment, I’m sure there have also been times when it has payed off and you’ve scored high on your exams. These are the times you want to remember, don’t dwell in your failures but remind yourself of your successes.

    Also, the harder you strive the more sweet it will feel when you finally pass it. The Arabs have a saying; “The more bitter the patience, the sweeter the results”. Remember the results that you are after and don’t give up because it feels difficult, useful things tend to be difficult.

    [Reply]

  11. Thank you very much.
    i will always remember your words of wisdom in my whole life and try never to give up because “winners never quit and quitters never win”

    [Reply]

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