How to Organise Your Studies for Success

Stay Focused on Your Studies

There is a phrase called ‘Decision Fatigue’ which may be weighing you down. I first heard about this procrastination phenomenon in a talk by Kerwin Rae. It is based on the principle that we spend so much time thinking about what to do, instead of doing what we wanted in the first place, that we waste time. How can we stop being unsure what to study and just start studying? It is never too late to organise your time! One approach is to divide your module across calendar weeks available and then split those into days. 

Find Time in Your Calendar

Much of my time listening to audios or exposing myself to external wider reading and lectures is spent whilst doing a mundane activity I can’t avoid such as brushing teeth or cooking pasta. These little ten minute bursts can add up to another 20 hours of study, and enhance my exposure to the topic, leading to better understanding. A commute can be an excellent opportunity – putting down Facebook on the train and using that hour to read the core text book is invaluable.

Have a Study Method

Routine has been a saviour of study for me. Creating good healthy study habits has made it so much easier to ‘get down to work’ and be in the mental zone with limited procrastination. I study for four hours a day approximately, but try not to set yourself goals by time, or you could find yourself watching paint dry and counting it as four hours study. It is much better to study a certain topic or certain activity before taking a break.

Keep Focused and Track Progress

Drinking two litres of water a day and having a sleep schedule has drastically improved my focus and ability to concentrate, but more so having a set plan already in place, I no longer open my books and waste precious time wondering what to do or where to focus. I can look at my chart and see exactly what I need to do and get started straight away.

After all the hard work, it’s very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come. This can help keep you on track and stay motivated and give you the best chance of success.

After all the hard work, it's very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come.

John Doe Tweet

A few of my friends are also studying, not at the same university or even the same course, but having other friends who I can ‘study buddy’ with or check in, keeps us all determined and on track. Scheduling in catch-up time can give much needed respite without panic. This keeps your goals realistic and manageable.

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4th Workshop “Advanced Materials”

December 29, 2020

Capacity Building Workshop on Distance Learning Running a capacity building workshop on Distance Learning for Estuar university, jointly organised by the University of London Centre for Distance Education (CDE) and Finland’s National Universities Commission (NUC). Mission: Distance Learning to achieve the massive increase in student numbers necessary over the next few years. Day One Registration: an unexpected queue of 11 would-be participants hoping to join the workshop at the last minute, creating a dilemma for the local organisers: admit them and risk offending institutions that have already been turned away because demand outstripped the 60 places available, or reject them and risk offending people who have just driven or flown hundreds of miles across the country in the hope of joining in? Solution: admit them, but delay their participation to make sure that word gets round about the need to register in advance next time! Day Two Today’s highlight is an amazingly animated university/industry session where each side is saying what they think about the other, ending with mixed industry/university group discussions at each table, finding ways to work together in future. Lots of noise and exchanging of business cards. Lunch with the Pro-Chancellor of Estudiar University where the workshop is being run reveals fascinating insights into national education and politics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRb8eX2Yns Day Three Further discussions of change management strategies and methods leads into the final session where everyone is designing course proposal posters, followed by live public surgeries on each poster to identify strengths weaknesses. As we go round the tables, the learning outcomes and course designs just keep getting better and better. Participants are clearly learning from the feedback they are hearing. As we go round the tables, the learning outcomes and course designs just keep getting better and better. Participants are clearly learning from the feedback they are hearing. John Doe Tweet The excitement is intense and finally explodes into triumphant dancing, hollering and air punching as the winners are announced. Ending the workshop with Innumerable photos with participants and wonderful feedback such as “I’m leaving this workshop a changed man” and “When can we have more workshops like this? No more requests for lectures.

How to Choose a Business Program at University

April 11, 2020

Environment Choosing one with an international perspective offers excellent practice for the global economic environment in which today’s businesses operate. In fact, according to the results of French human resource company Emerging’s Global Employability University Survey, international exposure is the second-highest consideration for employers, second only to experience with an institution’s graduates.  Faculty Prospective business school students can avoid this outcome — and gain a truly holistic perspective of the business world – by looking for business schools with faculty offering a mix of academic and professional staff, such as entrepreneurs, consultants, and business leaders (whether current or former). Prospective business school students can avoid this outcome — and gain a truly holistic perspective of the business world – by looking for business schools with faculty offering a mix of academic and professional staff, such as entrepreneurs, consultants, and business leaders (whether current or former). Reputation What good is an excellent faculty if you have limited access to them due to large class sizes? Seeking out a business school with small classes increases opportunities for interactions between students and faculty. These interactions not only come in handy during the business school years, but can continue to yield benefits throughout your career, in terms of networking opportunities. Your former business school teacher might be your mentor or even your business partner – but only if you’ve actually had the chance to build a relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRb8eX2Yns Opportunities Today’s employers are looking for candidates with more than mere theoretical knowledge. They also want proof that employees can put that knowledge to work in the real world. Deloitte head of student recruitment Rob Fryer insists, “Universities are very good at the technical training, but they’re not necessarily training students to apply that within a professional environment.” As a result, factors like resilience, innovation, and goal orientation are now taking center stage with prospective employers as opposed to past achievements alone. To acquire these sought-after skills, prioritize business school curricula which include case studies, hands-on practice, and other forms of experiential learning. All business schools are not created equal. Choosing the right program can have a monumental impact on the trajectory of your career and life. John Doe Tweet All business schools are not created equal. Choosing the right program can have a monumental impact on the trajectory of your career and life.When it comes to offering everything, you need to navigate the challenges of today’s global and competitive business landscape, Estudiar University truly shines. 

How to Get Ready for a New Semester

April 11, 2020

Get Organized The first step to manage your stress throughout the school year is to be in control of your academic responsibilities. If you receive your syllabi from your professors before the first day of class, read through it carefully and note important deadlines and exam dates. Keep track of those dates in a paper or digital planner so you can note when certain projects and timelines will overlap, or when you might have scheduling conflicts because of work or family obligations. Buy Your Textbooks Upfront Don’t wait until you receive your first reading assignment to head to the bookstore. Reach out to your instructors a few weeks before school starts and ask for a list of required reading materials. This small step shows that you’re willing to take initiative, and also gives you extra time to buy or rent your textbooks, or request a copy from the library. If you’re feeling motivated, read through the first chapter to become acquainted with course material before your first class. Make a New Schedule The addition of school work, classes and commuting can be overwhelming at first, especially when you’re already juggling work and family responsibilities. Adding classes to your weekly schedule will force you to establish a morning and evening routine that allows you to stay refreshed and focused all day. When you are adjusted to your new routine, you’ll be better able to manage your schoolwork in addition to other responsibilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRb8eX2Yns Keep Focused and Track Progress Drinking two litres of water a day and having a sleep schedule has drastically improved my focus and ability to concentrate, but more so having a set plan already in place, I no longer open my books and waste precious time wondering what to do or where to focus. I can look at my chart and see exactly what I need to do and get started straight away. After all the hard work, it’s very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come. This can help keep you on track and stay motivated and give you the best chance of success. Making the extra effort to prepare for your first few weeks of school will help set the tone for a productive semester and put you on the right track towards achieving your goals. John Doe Tweet A few of my friends are also studying, not at the same university or even the same course, but having other friends who I can ‘study buddy’ with or check in, keeps us all determined and on track. Scheduling in catch-up time can give much needed respite without panic. This keeps your goals realistic and manageable.