1. Study planning

2. Where to start: Time
Cottrell highlights that study successfully is heavily influenced by the time that’s available to you specifically
How much time you spend studying
How effectively you utilise that time
Work out how much time you need for all the other ‘stuff’ in your life. (use the time calculator in the module area) but be realistic
Identify when you can study. Little and often is going to be more productive
It’s not about dropping things of out your life such as exercising. Try to strike a balance.
Studying doesn’t have to take place in defined period for example if you take the train or bus to work use that time to do some reading
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

3. Where to start: Managing time
What are the time commitments for the module
Three taught days
176 hours of independent study of which it is anticipated that will take approximately 35 hours to complete the assessment.
Identify the key dates in the module use the iCalender file in studentcentral
Plan a schedule based on the submission date but don’t leave your submission until that date have some redundancy in your plan.
Note the dates for the formative assessments
Plan to submit at the beginning of the week of the submission date
Keep your schedule somewhere visible
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

4. Setting out a plan and dealing with distractions
When identifying when to study be realistic
Chunk you study into manageable sessions. How productive will it be to study for three hours without a break?
Perhaps aim to study for a maximum of 50 minutes before taking a break.
Identify when it’s best to study are you at your best first thing in the morning or late at night
Have a clear idea what you want to achieve in each study session. Draw up a ‘to do’ list
Doing the ironing or cleaning the guttering suddenly seems appealing
Try to avoid distractions. Switch your mobile off or leave it in a different room
Make your family and friends aware of your plans to minimise the chances of being disturbed
Ideally try to set aside a space at home where you can study.
Whatever schedule you devise keep it under review and change it if necessary
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

5. Apply SMART principles
Specific
Measurable
Acceptable
Realistic
Time-bound
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

6. Specific
You’ll clear about what you want to achieve in each study session for example
I want to map out the areas that need to cover in the essay
I want to read these two articles and makes notes on the same
I want to draft my introduction
Am I going to study at home or do I need to work in the library
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

7. Measurable How will know whether I’ve met my goal
If your reading an article have you understood what the author has said
Does what you read support what you do in practice
Are the notes on what I’ve read clear
Does what I’ve written make sense. Perhaps get a friend or your partner to read it
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

8. Acceptable
Do I really feel like studying tonight as I planned because I’ve had a difficult day at work. do I instead
Go to the gym or go for a run
Have a large Gin and Tonic
Having some redundancy in your plan will me that if you do have to skip a session that you can shift your schedule around
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

9. Realistic Have I been realistic in my planning
Am I really going to be able to read all of those five articles in two hours?
How productive is it going to be trying to study for five hours and keep my two year old entertained at the same time
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

10. Time-bound
Have I clearly identified how long I’m going to spend studying in each study period
How long am I going to study for before I take a break
Simon Whiffin
August 2017

11. Further reading
Chapter 5 in The Study Skills Handbook 4th Ed by Stella Cottrell
Time Management: University of Sussex
Williams K. and M. Reid 2011 Time Management Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillian
Simon Whiffin
August 2017