Develop an Effective Study Routine

We have all heard the quote from Spider-Man, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” You’re probably thinking “Right! If I were a superhero I would definitely use my powers for good, but this doesn’t apply to me. I’m in high school and I don’t really have any superpowers.” However, that is a limited way of thinking. You have been given great power, a “superpower” if you will: the ability to make your own weekly schedule when it comes to your schoolwork. This is a glorious superpower. You can now take your time with more difficult subjects and breeze through the easy ones without time constraints. If your family is going on vacation, you can work ahead and be stress-free on the beach. Digital learning gives you amazing opportunities and incredible flexibility. However, just like Peter Parker, your great power comes with great responsibility. The awesome ability you now have to make your own schedule comes with the stipulation that you indeed do have to make a schedule.

Follow the steps below to help you make a study plan to accomplish your schoolwork.

1. Figure Out What Needs to Get Done

Read through your weekly pacing guide and determine everything that needs to be completed by the end of each week. Highlight or write down the specific assignments for each class. Then, create a task list for each class. Review each list a few times to make sure that you didn’t forget anything. Lastly, determine how much time you will need for each item on the list. Write that down next to the item. Evaluate your current schedule and allocate specific times each day that make sense for you to work on schoolwork. Plan a bit more time than you think will be necessary, especially for subjects that will be more difficult. Use your checklist you created in step one to help you determine how much time you need to plan. Make this a weekly routine and find success!

2. Make your Plan Accessible

After you have outlined your study schedule, write it down. You can use a traditional paper planner, your Google calendar, your phone, or a document on your computer. Just make sure that you write down your plan so you will not forget it.

3. Stick to Your Schedule

Stick to your study schedule by holding yourself accountable. Your plan will only work if you do it. However, if you find major problems with your initial plan, you can always adjust it to fit your needs.