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How to Never Fall Behind in Classes

Alternatively titled: How to Use Your Planner or How Organization and Discipline Will Get You Better Grades

This is my full guide on how to use your planner effectively and make sure that you are never missing deadlines or falling behind in classwork and homework. This is definitely more about the university level and works best with a dated planner, rather than a bullet journal. Let’s get started! 

Get all of your syllabi together and write down dates. Go through one class at a time and mark down all of your major tests and assignment due dates. I recommend putting these dates into the monthly and weekly views, and perhaps coming up with a symbol or other indicator that tells you they are of utmost importance. 

Make a weekly schedule of when to complete readings and do a weekly review of notes. Instead of trying to randomly decide when to do these things, assign a date for each task for each class. If you have a tutorial on Tuesday, do the assigned readings for it every Wednesday. I recommend scheduling one to two weekly tasks per day, and to leave a few days open, whether it be weekends or days when you have a lot of classes.

Make a master list of assignments. I find that sometimes, even having due dates in the calendar view isn’t enough, and they can still sneak up on you. The master list will be a good place to double check if you have any deadlines approaching easily. 

In the week or so before a due date, create a checklist of smaller tasks needed to complete the assignment. Set individual due dates for each smaller task by working backwards from the due date. Smaller tasks may include finding sources, making an outline, writing a rough draft, and editing and adding references to create a final copy. Write the smaller tasks into your daily to-do list. 

You can also do this with studying for tests, but the checklist would look slightly different. You could either sort by study method (first do flashcards, then do essay outlines, etc.) or sort by the topics you need to study. 

Stick to the schedule you have made. Obviously, if something comes up and you need to move your to-do list around, do so! But if you aren’t doing anything and you see readings on your list of daily tasks.. do them. Having the plan set out like this makes it easier for you to remain disciplined. 

Why use this method? 

By creating a schedule for repeated weekly tasks like completing readings, you make sure that you can’t repeatedly push off smaller tasks until you are weeks behind. I don’t think it is very reliable to just will yourself to do readings, or to keep up with them without tracking it. 

By writing down all of your due dates, you will never be shocked to find out something is due the night before. You will know and you will be prepared. 

By creating smaller checklists of tasks to complete before a major test or assignment, you will never find yourself in a situation where you have an essay due in a few days and haven’t even started. You will be following a timeline and making sure you don’t have to rush.

I know this system may seem rigorous, but planning is the only way you can keep on top of your workload in university! Falling behind is a lot harder if you are organized and disciplined, and being on top of your workload will help you a lot when it comes to exam times… no cramming and all-nighters if you have been consistent all semester! 

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Quarantine tips for students

🎒 Treat it like you’re actually going to classes.

Take a shower. Get dressed. Don’t just roll out of bed into Zoom. It’ll put you in the correct mindset to get some work done.

☀️ Use this time as a chance to operate based on your natural energy cycles.

Work when you’re most productive. Rest when you aren’t. (Unless you have non-recorded, scheduled classes/meetings.)

⏰ Create a routine.

You’ll get used to doing the things you do and you won’t need as much motivation to get them done each time.

🎯 Set daily goals

You’ll have an idea of where you’re headed and how much you have to do for the day.

🏡 Establish boundaries by creating a separate space for doing work.

Keep coming to this space when you have to do work and don’t allow any distractions there - this will train your brain to focus.

☎️ Stay in touch with people.

Avoid feeling isolated by calling your friends, spending time with your family, roommates, etc. Social support can help reduce stress.

🎨 Keep your spirits up by spending time on your hobbies, exercising, doing something creative etc.

Coloring, doing yoga, and playing music/singing/listening to music have been shown to improve mental health.

📚 Exercise your brain

by learning a new skill you’ve always wanted to learn, reading a book on your TBR, listening to podcasts, etc.

🌿 Spend some time every day in nature,

whether it’s going out into your backyard or balcony or just opening a window.

😷 Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating properly, etc.

This will make you better equipped to fight diseases, and you’ll feel better in general.

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Okay so, the whole "Distance Learning" stuff... I needed my time to figure out how it works best for me. Here are a few things I just discovered:

Organize your laptop! This is a must. I created a folder for my subjects, so I instantly know where everything is.

I still need to use paper! It just doesn't stay in my memory if I don't

Following my normal class timetable! This is so important to me so I can keep everything structured and stay on track with my school work

Googling stuff is totally fine! I don't forbid myself to google if I can't find an answer. I mean normally I would ask someone as well...

Motivation is the key word! If I don't have motivation, I won't do anything! So I just try to remind myself why I am doing this, which is; I wanna get into medical school

Yeah... stay safe guys!

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Klaus: Guess what I'm about to get?

Ben: On my nerves?

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- ̗ ̀ study break ideas  ̖ ́-

if you have 5 minutes...

watch a TED talk

light a candle

paint your nails

put on a hair/face mask

splash your face with cold water

walk around your house

stretch

have a small snack

make a cup of tea/coffee

clear your desk

if you have 10-15 minutes...

watch a longer TED talk

watch a youtube video on studying/something educational

do some yoga

go for a quick run

have a shower

make a smoothie

power nap

workout

organise your desk

if you have 20-35 minutes...

watch a longer TED talk

watch one short episode of a tv programme

do a longer workout

go for a longer run

go for a walk

bake something

call a friend

if you have 40-60 minutes...

watch a documentary

watch one longer episode of a tv programme

go for an even longer walk/run

have a bath

have a one hour nap to help you remember things

[study13books]

History exam again... I got bored studying, so I decided to write an essay about the topic!

Coffee is and will always be my best friend while studying, so I drink lots of it...

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Studying geography... really, my least favorite subject. Horrible... but yeah, still has to be done.

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Studying french... annoying! But I have an exam tomorrow, so I have to. We'll see how it'll work out. Next week we'll kill me, I have four exams plus 3 projects...

[study13books]

Hello, people! The time has come: I will teach you the secret to study for three days and remember everything for your test. This is a hardcore studying session so I would recommend to only do it when you are truly freaking the fuck out. Now, I must tell you: It’s gonna involve some hard work, so sit comfortably because we’re about to start:

REMINDER: YOU DON’T NEED TO DO THIS IN A ROLL. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE DURING THE  COURSE OF THE DAY. 

REMINDER 2: REMEMBER TO EAT, DRINK WATER AND GET ENOUGH REST. YOU DON’T NEED TO FORGET ABOUT YOUR HEALTH IN ORDER TO GET BETTER GRADES. 

DAY 1

First reading of your main textbook

Second reading + highlighting 

Research more about the topic (internet, other books, talk to your friends, etc)

Resume everything (notes)

Do a mind map of main points 

If what you’re studying needs something to be memorized “word by word” (such as: meanings, processes, references, chemical reactions, etc), write it down and put it on your wall. You’re gonna read it several times during the day. 

Write down the topics and key words on a reference paper (you’re gonna take this paper everywhere, forcing your memory to expand from those simple key words) 

Review your notes 

Do ten exercises (questions)

Review your notes + exercises 

Watch a video class 

You’re done for today. Good job. Now rest, tomorrow is a new day. 

DAY 2

Review your notes

Read them out loud

Read them again, but this time record yourself

Listen to it. Twice. 

Review your notes before bed

DAY 3

Review your notes + listen to your recordings from yesterday

Do 30 exercises (questions)

Review notes + exercises 

Listen to your recordings again

Review your notes one more time.

FANTASTIC JOB! Now it’s your time to rest. If you’re feeling like it, read your notes one more time before bed. 

One more time, this is a heavy studying session, and not supposed to be done all the time. Remember to take care of your health and take several breaks during the day. If you don’t need, there is no need to do everything listed here. 

Good luck!!! 

[study13books]

Some french verbs... school started again and it's only four weeks until the semester ends. That means that I'm super busy with exams, essays and projects

[study13books]

Physics exam coming, and it'll count for my finals! So I am very nervous, but I will do my best

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Some of my recent study notes. A lot of exams right now, so I treated myself with some new pencils and books...

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Chemistry Exam tomorrow, and it will count for my finals! Hope I'll do okay...

[study13books]

The mess of learning chemistry! I have this super hard exam next week, so wish me luck!

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English exam tomorrow... I think I'll do fine, but still, revise, revise, revise!

[study13books]

School again!!! Not very much work to do yet but that will change soon... currently working on biology

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I passed all my finals!!!! Now there are finally holidays... I'm going to read tons of books, drink too much iced coffee, go swimming and watch whole netflix-series in single nights.