Following Your Schedule

Make the most of your scheduled off time

One of the biggest challenges in following your study schedule is that you’ll be tempted to blow it off and instead do something relaxing, fun, or entertaining. However, you need to resist this temptation and instead make the most of your scheduled entertainment time.

• Look forward to your off time as a reward for studying.
• Use your off time as a way of recharging. Taking a nap might help you. Going for a walk or doing some yoga might relax you and help you to focus when you need to get back to studying.
• Make sure to get out of the house. Use your off time to go out away from your study space.

Take short breaks and stick to them

Make sure to take one break during each study block. However, this could present problems. One of the most important elements of following your study schedule is to make sure you abide by your schedule and only take the allotted amount of break time. Taking extra breaks or prolonging breaks can and will undermine your schedule and sabotage your plans for studying success.

• Take one 5 to 10 minute long break during your study blocks. Don't exceed 5 to 10 minutes.
• At the start of your break, set an alarm that will go off when your break is over.
• Use your break wisely. Make sure to use your break to refresh yourself. Take a stretch, go for a short walk, eat a small snack, or get pumped by listening to some music.
• Avoid distractions that could prolong your break.

Stick to the schedule

The one hard-and-fast rule about making sure your schedule works is that you’ve got to adhere to your schedule. There's no point in making a study schedule if you don't stick to it.

• Try to get into the habit of looking at your calendar/planner on a regular, preferably daily, basis. This will help keep you away from the "out of sight, out of mind" trap.
• Once you’ve established a routine, you may start mentally associating certain acts, such as the opening of a textbook or sitting down at a desk, with a study mode.
• Use an alarm or timer on your phone to alert you when your study blocks begin and end. This will help you stick to your schedule.

Tell others about your schedule

Sometimes our schedules are hard to follow because important people in our lives distract us from our goals. This is not done maliciously, but just because people who care about you want to spend time with you. In order to avoid this, tell people in your lives about your schedule. This way, if they want to do something, they can plan around it.

• Post a copy of your study guide on the refrigerator at home so your family can see it.
• Email a copy out to your friends so they know when you are free.
• If someone plans something during a study slot, politely ask them if you can reschedule for another time.