How to Create a Study Schedule that Works for You + Free Sample Study Schedule Template

As a senior secondary school student, you’re probably dealing with a lot – from attending hectic classes and taking tests and exams to preparing for the ultimate Waec and Jamb exams. You know that to get into your desired course and higher institution, you need to do well in these exams. That’s where we come in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple and practical ways to study that’ll make even the toughest subjects seem easy. We’ll also show you how to create a study schedule that works for you to make your studying process easier and more effective. You’ll also get a sample study schedule template to help you get started. Don’t let stress and worry hold you back. Let’s dive in!

What is a Study Schedule

A study schedule is a personalized timetable that helps you effectively organize and allocate your study time. It considers your individual learning preferences, habits, and goals, making it a valuable tool for ensuring you cover all necessary subjects and topics. A well-crafted study schedule keeps you on track, helps you manage your time, and ultimately boosts your academic performance. You can create your study schedule daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on your preference and the length of time before the exam.

Why You Need a Study Schedule

There are numerous benefits of having a study schedule, including the following:

• Improved Time Management: A study schedule helps you allocate your time effectively by prioritising subjects and topics based on difficulty and importance.
• Better Focus and Concentration: Knowing what to study and when prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and allows you to focus on one task at a time.
• Increased Motivation: Setting and achieving goals through a study schedule provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated.
• Reduced Stress: Having a clear plan can avoid cramming and last-minute stress, ensuring a more balanced and enjoyable learning experience.

How to Create a Study Schedule

Step 1: Set Specific Goals

The first step to creating a study schedule is to set specific goals. What do you want to achieve? Set short-term and long-term goals. Do you want to improve your general grades? Is there a particular subject or topic giving you a tough time that you want to improve on? Or do you want to meet the cut-off mark required to gain entry to your desired institution or course of study? Setting clear, specific goals can help you stay motivated and focused on your studies and provide a sense of direction and purpose.

Step 2: Assess Your Study Habits

Evaluate your study habits by asking yourself questions such as: Do you prefer studying in long blocks of time or shorter sessions? Do you work better in the morning or at night? If you can answer these questions, you’ll understand your habits and know what works best. This will help you create a study schedule that is personalized and effective. 

For instance, if you assimilate better at night, scheduling complex subjects to study at night when your brain is more receptive to learning is better. 

Step 3: Create a List of Subjects and Topics and Prioritize

Make a list of all the subjects you need to study and the topics that you need to cover for each subject. Then order that list based on how difficult and important they are. This will help you prioritize your study sessions, focusing on the most challenging subjects first and ensuring you cover all the necessary topics before the exam.

Step 4: Allocate Study Time

Decide how much time you will allocate to each subject and topic. Dedicate more time to subjects that are more difficult or that you are less familiar with and less time to subjects you are already comfortable with. Be realistic about your available time and ensure you allocate time for breaks and other important activities.

Step 5: Decide on a Study Format

The fifth step is to decide on a study format that works best for you. Choose whether to study one subject at a time or switch between subjects during each study session. Also, consider whether you prefer to study alone or with a study group. Identifying your learning style can help you make this decision. For example, if you are a visual learner, you may benefit from creating mind maps, while auditory learners prefer discussing topics with a study group or using audio recordings. By understanding your learning style, you can choose a study format that best suits your needs, making your study sessions more efficient and effective.

Step 6: Use a Study Schedule Template

Use a study calendar or planner to create a study schedule that outlines your study sessions for each day, week, or month. The planner should include breaks and time for relaxation, exercise, and other essential activities. This will help you manage your time effectively, ensure that you cover all the necessary topics before the exam, and avoid burnout or exhaustion. Here’s a sample study schedule template that considers these factors.

Step 7: Stick to the Schedule

Stick to the schedule you create as closely as possible. Avoid procrastination and distractions, and ensure you allocate enough time for each study session. You will only achieve your desired result if you are consistent.

Step 8: Re-evaluate and Adjust

Periodically re-evaluate your study schedule and make adjustments as necessary. If you are not able to stick to the schedule, you may need to adjust your study habits or set more realistic goals. Regularly re-evaluating and revising the study schedule will help you to stay on track.

Step 9: Be Flexible

Remember that unexpected events can arise that may impact the study schedule. It’s essential to be flexible and willing to adjust your plan to accommodate changes in your routine or circumstances.

Step 10: Track Your Progress

Monitoring your progress and celebrating milestones as you achieve them will help maintain your motivation to continue studying. This is why setting both short and long-term goals is beneficial. For instance, if one of your short-term goals is to understand a specific topic within a specified time frame, acknowledge your accomplishment and reward yourself once you’ve achieved it. This sense of achievement will encourage you to keep pushing forward and maintain your focus and drive. 

Bonus Study Tips

Use Memory Tricks

Memory tricks are techniques that can help you to remember information more effectively. For example, creating acronyms or mnemonics, using visualization techniques, or repeating information out loud. A typical memory trick is the acronym “MR. NIGER”, used  to remember the seven characteristics of living things: Movement, Reproduction, Nutrition, Irritability, Growth, Excretion, and Respiration.

Use Study Tools and Resources

Different study tools and resources like past questions and answers, textbooks, and tutoring services can help simplify difficult topics and make your study process easier. For example, online study resources like Edubaloo can provide practice questions you can use for mock exams, as well as video tutorials and other study aids that can help you to prepare for the exams effectively.

Manage Time Effectively

Effective time management is essential for success in exams like WAEC and JAMB. It’s important to allocate your time effectively, prioritize your study sessions, and avoid procrastination and distractions. By managing your time effectively, you will spend your time doing what matters at all times. 

Additionally, during your study sessions, allocate specific time to your practice question and stick to that limit. This will help you when you are taking the exam and  ensure you have enough time to complete the entire exam.

How to Stay Motivated

Staying motivated can be difficult, especially as the exam day grows nearer. Don’t forget to set small goals and celebrate your small wins. You can also study with friends or join a study group to stay accountable and motivated. You can stay focused on your studies, avoid procrastination, and achieve your academic goals by staying motivated.

Final Takeaway

In the next 5-10 years, you likely have aspirations in finance, health, tech, the creative sector, legal, or other fields. By creating a study schedule that works for you, you’ll be on the right path towards achieving your goals and aspirations.

As you prepare for your exams, remember to communicate with your parents or guardians about your study schedule and progress. They can provide support and encouragement along the way. Remember to be flexible and willing to adjust your plan as needed and to celebrate your progress along the way. 

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals and succeeding on your exams.