Study Skills for Effe ctive Learn ing

---

When to Study - Planning and Time Management

---

Fair or False Assumption: Full-time students have more choice about when to study!

Whatever your situation or preference, be conscious of your timetable. You may argue that you work best under pressure - fine. But as an alibi for self indulgence this leads to an activity trap i.e. too much work, too little time, too much to absorb. The result is frequently rushed and you produce a lower standard than you can attain.

---

RULE: Don't leave things until the last minute i.e: don't wait until a few days before an assignment is due before starting the research for it.

---

FILOFAX and CALENDARS!
Are you a Filofaxite? Perhaps not, but addicts swear by them! Some basic planning and diary management is still essential.

You will receive information on course notice boards or from course/module leaders. Note important dates!

• start/ends of terms
• semester breaks
• assignment submission dates
• dates/times/places of examinations (absolutely vital!)
• dates of workshops or visits

You have your own dates too - weddings, birthdays, DWE's, conferences and concerts.

Draw up a YEAR planner and a WEEK planner & pin these up for reference.

If you are part-time with family and work commitments - such planning is vital. Consult with your boss & loved ones about how your studies will fit in and the support you need.

The Obsessive Planner!

There is no need to be obsessive. But if you have been advised on important dates - then use the information. In your YEAR/WEEKLY planners enter the BANKERS - things you know will happen where times and dates are known.

Anticipate the SEMI-CONTROLLABLES
- things that will happen around a certain time - you don't know exactly when but estimate the week and the kind of workload you will be confronted with. Prefabricate and prepare.

Murphy's Law a.k.a. SOD's Law
UNCONTROLLABLES happen - remember (if you are eating a slice of crusty bread spread with the tastiest strawberry jam and it slips from your fingers - it always lands the JAM SIDE DOWN!

Being in command of BANKERS and SEMI-CONTROLLABLES puts you in a better position to handle UNCONTROLLABLES. You can return to normal when the crisis subsides.

---

Study Skills Index

---

© This resource was developed by C. Jarvis