Tutorial 2: Developing Sustainable Study Habits

Planning your time allows you to spread your work over the semester, avoid a ‘traffic jam’ of work, and cope with study stress. Many deadlines for College occur at the same time, and unless you plan, you’ll find it impossible to manage. To meet the demands of study you need to spread your workload over the whole Semester. Work out what needs to be done and when. Work out how to use your available time as efficiently as possible.

Be Flexible

Some weeks will be busier than others, and unforeseen things can happen. Remember that a timetable is only a plan or a guide. You don’t have to follow it strictly every week, but try to stick to your plan as best you can. If you plan a study time slot and miss it, don’t panic—look at the schedule and rearrange your time.

Be Realistic

It is your responsbility to use your time wisely! The best plan is to be aware of how much time you have and to manage it effectively. Be realistic about your time and what you can do with it.

Different tasks require different amounts of preparation time. For example, you might only need a few hours to prepare for a lecture, but writing an assignment will take significantly longer. You can’t produce good, well-written work unless you give yourself enough time to think, research and write.

Time On-campus

If you are able to spend time on campus use it wisely. Why not create a study group, or choose one seat in the Library that you will routinely use for study. Try not to study during lunchtimes when you are at College. Instead, spend that time getting to know other students, and be part of the Morling Community. Being part of the community should not be underestimated as an incredible way to be encouraged and challenged in your faith!