I attend a part-time evening law school where students work during the day and attend classes at night. At times, it is easy to forsake doing class readings, case briefs, assignments, etc., in exchange for a quick nap in between work and class. Come class time the Professor is discussing a new legal theory that you have no idea what is about!
To avoid ending up in the endless cycle of playing catch up with readings and legal concepts, it is important to formulate a game plan. Having a realistic study schedule ensures that you will stay on top of your coursework regardless, of what life throws at you.
How can I organize my time?
Technique #1: Create a master weekly schedule
What I found has helped me since University days is creating a general weekly schedule broken down by time. I block out each cells according to the activity I will be doing in that timeframe. This master weekly schedule will show you what free time that you do have to available to a lot for studying each day.
Technique #2: Create a daily to do list
Now that I know what timeframe is available each day for studying, I create a time specific to do list. You may choose to create your to do list on a virtual/physical sticky note, memo pad, mobile app, etc.
The time duration for each task will be on one side and the task on the other.Remember to space out tasks and give yourself a little break in between tasks.
The Pomodoro method is good way to start if you are having trouble focusing for long periods. I tend to keep each task to 1hr-1.5hrs; my focus tends to remain intact when I’m pressured with time. I limit my breaks to 2-5 minutes for short breaks and I tend to scroll on one of my phone apps or check out a website I enjoy. For longer breaks I go for a quick walk around my block to get those fitbit steps in!
Technique #3: Use an Agenda
In the background of my master schedule and daily to do list I keep an Agenda to keep track of everything else I need to remember.
We usually get our syllabus for each class a week before the semester starts. The week before school starts is the perfect time to transfer all assignments and due dates per class into an Agenda which you can easily refer to when creating your daily to do list.
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