How to make a good planning for next semester?

Now that the exams are over, it’s time to start fresh for the next semester! Did this week’s exams not go that well? Here are some tips on how to make a good planning, so you can start working hard again next semester!

Planning, why?

Planning provides an overview and structure. This will give you peace of mind. It also increases your discipline! This can be useful when you put everything off until the next day. 

Make a To-Do list

It may seem obvious, but it works! Put together a list of what you need to do each week for each subject. This way you create a structure for each week in the period. For example: Listen to a lecture, make assignments, make practice exams. 

Estimate the time you will need.

Go over each ‘do’ and estimate how much time you will need to do it. What takes the most time? Then, do this first! That way you’ll get rid of it faster and then be able to check off your list faster. Make sure you do the big things on the days you have more time and possibly do small things in between. Do you ever fail to keep to your schedule? Then you can easily reschedule the small tasks! And otherwise, start again the next day. Every day is a new day! So don’t panic, as long as you are consistent and you keep your goals straightforward, you will easily succeed in achieving them! Tip: Not meeting a schedule is not the worst thing that can happen! Think of a very different scenario! This will automatically bring your motivation back.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

Don’t look for standard schedules and plans on the internet! It has to work for you. If an hourly schedule every day doesn’t work for you, make sure you find something that does work for you. Don’t compare yourself too much to others who have everything very structured and neatly lined up. Just making a list of to-do’s is also a planning itself. If this gives you satisfaction, then your planning is made!

Tick off when you have done something, and reward yourself! 

Do not be too hard on yourself, but reward yourself when you have done something. Set up a reward system next to your planning, for example, every time you finish something. Take a nice break with a good snack for example. This will increase your stress levels again. It will also increase your motivation when something is done. Whatever your schedule is, make it worth it! 

Did you find these tips useful? Then take a look at the other blog on creating a study environment away from university