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Notice your feelings. Over the next few months you may have lots of different feelings. You may feel stressed, anxious, sad, afraid, fed up, angry, frustrated or even numb. You may feel nothing at all, that's ok too. If your feelings and reactions seem different from those of your friends, that's ok. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to feel. The following information will also help:

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Wellbeing support for Leaving Certificate students, parents and school staff

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Notice your feelings. Over the next few months you may have lots of different feelings. You may feel stressed, anxious, sad, afraid, fed up, angry, frustrated or even numb. You may feel nothing at all, that's ok too. If your feelings and reactions seem different from those of your friends, that's ok.

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https://acesolutionbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1.-How-to-Construct-your-Revision-more-Efficiently.wav

[7 Minute Listen!]

Spending a short amount of quality time with someone is better than spending hours paying very little attention to them at all. Revising for an exam is similar. You must hit revision in small intense bursts where you give it your 100% attention. The following are three useful efficiencies that will help you construct good study sessions.

Rotate your Place of Study

It is good practice to rotate where you study. The main reason for this is that if you start to get bored or listless there, you'll associate boredom with learning. Try other places such as the kitchen table, the park, the back garden, the library or just a different room; anywhere you want to really. Try revising certain topics in unusual locations. An example of this could be to learn English drama quotes on your lawn in the sun. When you need to remember these quotes in the exam hall, you can visualise yourself being back there, recalling the day you learned them and hopefully triggering your mind to recall that information. Experiment to see if music or TV helps you concentrate. Some subjects will be more suited to this than others. I believe some Maths topics do not require one hundred percent attention, an example being adding words or formula's to your hardback notebook. This however may be associated with my aptitude for the subject. You may be able to listen to some low level music in subjects you are more tuned into. This varies from person to person obviously and won't work for every subject.

Leaving Material Out

Come the next few weeks, as regular as a clock ticks, the rumour mill kicks into action. Comments like "Oh, this is coming up this year", "I heard this is expected to come up", "There's no way that will be on the paper" or even 'I'm leaving that out' are common both online and offline. Please be aware that if a topic is listed on the syllabus for your subject, it can appear on the paper, even if it came up last year. Your teacher will source you a copy of the syllabus document if you wish to view it, or alternatively you can download it online. The syllabus document will tell you exactly what can be examined in the subject and is useful when you are collating the full sub-topic list for each subject.

In relation to exam preparation, I know you all will try cutting corners; you will predict, throw topics away and ignore information. I would not recommend leaving out big chunks of the course. The State Exams Commission, who set the exam papers each year, state that they do not want any element of predictability in them. In general my advice is to cover your bases well.

Continue to whittle down and reduce the volume of your keynotes. I am convinced that summarising information helps assimilate it better and leaves one with a more concise set of notes. Keep re-writing summaries into something manageable that you can read and understand. As exams approach, be careful who you listen to. Teachers with many years' experience (whether that's your subject teacher or someone you know well) won't put you far wrong. Having seen many exam papers, I think you can certainly place a good level of trust in them. The newspaper revision supplements, written by experienced professionals, can be a useful revision aid also.

Implement a Solid Study Plan Now

Now that you are aware and have listed out all the topics on a sheet (per subject), it is time to make a robust yet practical study plan that you can follow. Here are twenty practical study tips you can start using today:

Divide your study time into small sessions

Take a break of five or ten minutes after every session

Revise during hours when you feel productive

Each student has their own method of studying. So figure yours out and use it

Divide study times as per topics and effort needed. Difficult topics = More time

Underlining the key points for each topic is a great habit to start now

Make a practical study plan you can follow. A plan that is not doable is a big NO

Short notes should be just that - short and concise. This makes revision easier later

Use abbreviations and note down the key points only. No waffle or padding

Do not skip a topic because it seems difficult. Revise it a few times to let it sink in

Use revision breaks for something productive such as music, art, or sports activities

Always set a target score you are aiming towards in each subject

Take tests regularly. Your test scores are a regular reminder of your target score

Maintain test records so that you know which subtopics you need to work on

Sleep 7-8 hours. Losing sleep will affect your ability to concentrate and retain

Stay as healthy as you possibly can. Exercise

You cannot change the amount of revision you did yesterday. Start today

Be kind to yourself. Use positive self-talk each day

Reflect on the amount of revision you did today, instead of what you didn't do

If today's study plan didn't go well, revisit it and tweak tomorrows one

and remember..
"It is never too late to step into your own greatness"
Joe McCormack

To view last weeks feature article on 'How Writing Summaries and Self Testing is Worthwhile', click here.

*****

More details about Joe's ACE Tuition Classes for Junior and Leaving Certificate Students (Maths and English), ACE Maths Assessments, and his Award winning ACE Maths Solution Books can be found via the links below. Be sure to pick up your copy today!

*****

© Joe McCormack 2021

Joe's Jotter: How to Construct your Revision more Efficiently
Joe's Jotter: How to Construct your Revision more Efficiently
Joe's Jotter: How to Construct your Revision more Efficiently

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Joe's Jotter: How to Construct your Revision more Efficiently

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Spending a short amount of quality time with someone is better than spending hours paying very little attention to them at all. Revising for an exam is similar. You must hit revision in small intense bursts where you give it your 100% attention.

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Here are six useful habits for all students to Improve the quality of your study as we move past the settling back period and try to settle back into revision:

Yes, really! Taking short five-minute breaks every thirty minutes should keep you fresh and focused. However, make sure that five minutes doesn't turn into an hour! Go for a short walk, call up a friend or have a snack and then come back to your work on time. Some studies have found that having a natter with friends can have a positive effect on memory and laughing increases serotonin (the body's chemical that makes you happy). It is important to leave your study area during your breaks to get a change of perspective and return with renewed energy for the next session. Enjoyable breaks will allow you to become more efficient with your study blocks. Setting mini targets like completing a long exam question followed by a prolonged break is a smart way to operate.

When reading, it is a good idea to make notes or highlight key terms. I believe you should always revise with a pen at hand. I feel that just by reading a piece of text, you are not actively engaging with it. In my experience, you will remember more by summarising it or even just by making markings with a red or green pen on the page. This method keeps the brain tuned in to the task at hand. Other learning methods you might consider for variety include YouTube videos, online quizzes, or creating mind maps. If you find yourself struggling to stay alert, you are probably tired, and it may be time for a break or retirement for the evening.

Many students go to educational institutions after Christmas to boost their store of materials and, of course, their confidence. However, I have seen many students over the years become overwhelmed with too much material and they just end up getting swamped not knowing where to start. In subject areas you find difficult, reduce your material into manageable, thought provoking snippets. If you take notes in class, make sure to date and keep them for revision later. Dig out last year's material requiring revision at this point. It is important to keep a record of what topics you have done in class and how long your teacher has spent on them. This will ensure you are clear on what has been covered and what still needs to be investigated. Being persistently consistent in relation to your notes is a big factor in doing well in exams.

Setting goals will help you monitor your study and will give you something to work towards. If you under perform in a class test, set a mini goal for your next test to improve by a certain percentage. In your school journal, write down all your goals and check them off as you complete them - name it a 'Junior Cycle or Leaving Cert bucket list'. Ultimately, use long-term goals to motivate you to ACE the short-term ones. Long-term goals might include a points target in your Leaving Certificate, a possible trip to third level or scoring that rewarding job later. A short-term goal will help you get where you want to be long term. Reviewing the success of your short-term goals every two weeks will give you a sense of achievement. An example of a short-term goal could involve summarising and understanding a chapter from your book and completing a past exam question relating to it. All successful students do a small plan and set goals for themselves.

Don't forget to 'have a life' as you develop a routine that works for you. Reward yourself after a long study session with a trip to the cinema or visit to your friends. Ultimately, reward yourself with breaks, taking a reasonable one after every good hour's work. There is nothing wrong with the odd bar of chocolate, ice-cream or packet of gummy bears; everyone who has done something constructive deserves a little thank you. Earn rewards with each thorough revision session you complete. This will improve your overall revision output.

Those of you in Exam years: Are you familiar with the layout of each exam paper and its marking scheme? If not, you need to get checking. You can source all the past exam papers in the 'Examinations Material Archive' section of the examinations.ie website. If you are doing exams in 2021 and haven't a set of exam papers for each subject, don't delay, get them today. A large part of your revision should be to assess and practice answering questions from past exam papers (under time pressure) on the topics you have covered in class. Remember also that each subject's exam paper is different, so you need to get familiar with each one. You need to find out the exact layout and style of each individual paper. Is there a choice in sections? How many questions do you need to attempt in each section? Are there short/long questions or both? And, most importantly, how long can you plan to spend on each individual question? Being super familiar with paper layout is key.

To read about how Junior Cycle students can make more out of their evenings, click here.

******
More details about Joe's ACE Tuition (Maths and English), ACE Career Coaching, and his ever popular ACE Maths Solution Books for the Junior and Leaving Certificate can be found via the links below. Be sure to pick up your copy today!
W: acesolutionbooks.com facebook.com/JoeMcCormackEducationalExpert/
#: #JoesJotter

******

© Joe McCormack 2020

Joe's Jotter: Six ACE Pointers to Settle you Back into Revision
Joe's Jotter: Six ACE Pointers to Settle you Back into Revision
Joe's Jotter: Six ACE Pointers to Settle you Back into Revision

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Joe's Jotter: Six ACE Pointers to Settle you Back into Revision

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Here are six useful habits for all students to Improve the quality of your study as we move past the settling back period and try to settle back into revision: Take regular breaks: Yes, really! Taking short five-minute breaks every thirty minutes should keep you fresh and focused.

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Class to LC2 on Motivation and Study Planning

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Class to LC2 on Motivation and Study Planning

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Document to help with exam preparation and study

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Presentation to help with Planning your Study by setting goals and using a timetable

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Muscle Releasing

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Muscle tensing and releasing relaxation exercise by Dr Karen Treisman

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Breathing Exercise

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An introduction video to a left and right breathing relaxation exercise by Dr Karen Treisman

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Travelling back to and soaking in a positive moment- Dr Karen Treisman

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StudyClix recommended apps

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1. Use Trello to get organised.

Sometimes studying so many subjects can become really daunting and the task ahead can seem impossibly large. The key is to break down big tasks into smaller and smaller tasks until they can't be broken down any further. Then go through them one by one, feeling progressively happier as you feel you are finally getting somewhere.

Trello is a free website and app that makes it really easy to keep track of what you have to do and what you have done. Trello's beauty is its simplicity and it works a bit like a giant wall (board) with loads of sticky notes (cards) stuck to the wall. Each card should be an individual task. You can attach text or files from Dropbox or Google Drive to any card. You can then drag cards from left to right as you progress through what you have to do. Check out this sample Trello board to get a feel for it and you can set up your own free account on Trello.com

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique

If you've ever had that feeling that no matter how much you study nothing will go in, then the chances are you're studying inefficiently. Research has shown that studying in short bursts makes it much more likely that you will retain information. This is where the Pomodoro technique comes in. Named after a kitchen timer, the technique involves you setting a timer for 25 minutes and studying as hard as you can on a chosen task for that time. When the time is up take a 5 minute break and every fourth break take a longer 20 minute break. Francesco Cirillo, the creator of the technique, suggested using an actual timer as the act of winding it and hearing it ticking helped you focus on the task at hand. Lots of free tech tools to help you time your Pomodoros have been developed. Here are our favourites:

Tomighty (desktop)
Pomdroido App (Android)
Pomodoro Timer App (iTunes)

3. Use Distraction Blockers

The biggest barrier that most students face to studying effectively is distraction. With text, tweets, instant messages and emails coming in on phones, laptops and tablets it's easy to see where hours can get wasted. Luckily, there are lots of tech solutions out there to help you stay focused. You can download website blockers that will keep you off all or certain websites for the amount of time you tell it. Here are our favourites:

Focal Filter (Windows)
Leechblock (Firefox)
Stayfocused (Chrome)

4. Use good quality learning content

It goes without saying that the key to effective study is to have high quality content to study in the first place. If you want to do well in exams it's really important to keep testing yourself to find out where the gaps in your knowledge are. Studyclix makes this easier by giving you all the past exam questions by topic so you can try questions on whatever you are studying. We surveyed last year's leaving cert students and 95% of PLUS+ users said that in their opinion, using Studyclix PLUS+ or PREMIUM☆ had improved their grades.

Upgrade to PLUS+ or PREMIUM☆ now via our pricing page to see how your grades can improve too!

Best of luck with the study and check out the Studyclix Blog, Twitter and Facebook to get more tips on how to study smarter.

David, Studyclix Team

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Leaving cert & Junior cert Exam Revision | Studyclix makes exams easier

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Sometimes studying so many subjects can become really daunting and the task ahead can seem impossibly large. The key is to break down big tasks into smaller and smaller tasks until they can't be broken down any further. Then go through them one by one, feeling progressively happier as you feel you are finally getting somewhere.

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Breathing Exercise

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Hand Breathing Relaxation and Regulation Tool by Dr Karen Treisman

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NCGE advice

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Crisis Text Line-24/7 messaging support service to listen to people going through a tough time. Crisis Text Line provides in-the-moment anonymous support & problem solving when you need it most. Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to begin

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Blog from StudyClix

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How to Tackle Leaving Cert Stress

Stress during the Leaving Cert is something almost every student experiences at some stage. One of these students is Lynn, who completed the Leaving Cert and is now studying Economics, Politics and Law at DCU.

In the blog below she talks about her struggles in school and how she overcame them.

When I went into fifth year, I was instantly hit with the truck of information regarding the two years that awaited me. It was extremely overwhelming, despite the huge effort made by teachers. Not only are we faced with the challenging pressures of the exams, but also all of the other things that we must do to prepare for the new chapter in our lives. For me anyway, preparing for all this involved a lot of stress. However, there are some little things that we, as students can do to prevent these pressures from taking control of our thoughts and our anxiety.

I would love to share with you all, the things I did that helped me through what felt like a torturous and never-ending journey but was achievable, at the end of the day.

Get Organised:

Personally, when I don't feel in control and I'm not organised, my anxiety levels rise rapidly. Something small, like missing a set of notes on a minor character in Shakespeare would result in a sudden feeling of being very unprepared. Some of us students may feel the need to prepare for every type of question that could appear on the lovely Leaving Cert and my suggestion is to get organised ASAP. Keep on top of the organisation of your notes, trust me on this one, it makes a huge difference and leads to life being a lot easier. The sooner you start, the simpler it will be.
Get folders for each subject, use highlighters, dividing tabs; stationary is there for a reason.
Music Playlists:

Throughout the years, I made multiple playlists; for fitness exercises, sleeping, eating, studying - everything. During the Leaving Cert exams, I constantly blasted really motivational songs to start the day with a positive outlook. To tell you the truth, something tiny, like waking up with no milk for my morning cup of tea would have a pretty negative impact on my mood.

I would try to encourage all students to make a playlist that can give you positive vibes and help you to get motivated or chilled out.

Breath Deeply:

I remember sitting in a classroom, reading notes before one of my mock exams. I was very nervous about this particular exam and I could feel my heart racing. I discovered through researching anxiety that your senses increase tenfold. This causes thoughts to sprint around our minds and we can get really worked up. The only thing that got me through those intense moments in school was getting into a routine of breathing exercises.

Inhale through your nose for four seconds and exhale through your mouth for five. Despite getting some peculiar looks from fellow students, I would often sit during class hours and complete these breathing techniques, even out loud if it meant I would be more calm.

Ignore the looks, the most important thing is you.

Countdown:

Sometimes as students, we can sit and think ourselves into a bad mood. Despite how many hours I spent studying, I continued to think that I was not doing enough, which ultimately led to a feeling of self-doubt and a low feeling in general. When this happens, it's particularly important to stop those thoughts immediately because we really can be our own worst enemies at times.

Counting down from one-hundred to zero sounds rather silly, but believe me, it should not be underestimated.

Talk to your friends:

You would be shocked at how others are feeling, despite of how they may appear in class or at lunch. A few times in school, I felt like I was genuinely not coping with the stress of studying, completing homework, doing well in class tests and appearing in control, all at the same time. One evening, I was sitting at home after a long day, I was both physically and mentally drained. I was snapchatting friends when I got a text saying, "So, how are things actually going for you in 6th year?" and at the beginning, I was a bit unsure as to how I would answer. Would I tell them the honest truth that I was finding things tough or would I take the blasé path, be typically Irish, and say, "Yeah, sure we'll be grand in the morning". I took the scary step of admitting to a fellow student that things were tense, only to receive a relieving reply that they were feeling the exact same way.

So please, do me a favour and talk to others, see how your peers are feeling. Don't isolate yourself and seriously, do not be embarrassed if you're feeling stressed or worried. Us students are all in the same boat, at the end of the day.

Use Career Guidance:

The uncertainty of the future frightened the life out of me during 6th year and even more so during the time leading up to my exams. As a result, I found myself a regular visitor to the Career Guidance teacher. Not just to talk about what I wanted to do after my exams but also about how I was managing my time when it came to studying, exercising and eating healthily. If you have a Guidance Counsellor in school, or even just an ordinary teacher that you get along with, talk to them.

They are there to support you and they really can help you focus on what you want for your future. As much as we, students sometimes hate to admit that teachers are human too, always be conscious that they sat the Leaving Cert too, they can empathise.

So there you have it, I was a little ball of anxiety in my final year at school and could not see the opportunities that would be available to me in the future. There were many times in 6th year where I wanted to give up and simply not sit the exams. However, through the support of the people around me and through doing the few things that I have mentioned above, I made it through to the other side of the daunting Leaving Certificate tunnel and so can you!
Good luck with your study and exams! Lynn Clarke-Hearty, DCU Student
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Leaving cert & Junior cert Exam Revision | Studyclix makes exams easier

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Stress during the Leaving Cert is something almost every student experiences at some stage. One of these students is Lynn, who completed the Leaving Cert and is now studying Economics, Politics and Law at DCU. In the blog below she talks about her struggles in school and how she overcame them.

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Everyone gets the same 24 hours each day.

Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Isaac Newton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leonardo da Vinci - they all had 24 hours a day, just like you and me.

What enabled them to lead such significant lives?

They managed their time well.

This article is all about effective time management tips for students.

As a student, I got straight A's while sleeping eight hours a night, and graduated from Duke University with a GPA of 3.98/4.0.

(I don't say this to boast, because education definitely isn't only about getting straight A's!)

But given that so many students ask me to share time management tips with them, I decided to compile the best ones I know.

By putting the tips in this article into practice, you'll become more focused and less stressed.

You'll have more time to do meaningful things outside of school too!

So let's take a look at the 45 tips.

BONUS: Download a free PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 5 exclusive bonus tips that you'll only find in the PDF.

1. Take a study break every 40 to 50 minutes

Research shows that working in blocks of 40 to 50 minutes is optimal for productivity.

If you feel as if you can't focus for that long, try out the Pomodoro Technique for a start.

2. If you're feeling unmotivated, set a timer for two minutes

If you don't feel like doing work, set a timer for two minutes. Then tell yourself that you just need to focus for that amount of time.

Chances are that once you've started work, you'll continue even after the two minutes are up.

3. Make good use of your travel time

It's tempting to use your commute time to surf the Internet or go through your social media feeds.

But you can use the time to think about a concept you haven't grasped, write in your gratitude journal, or listen to an audiobook.

This is a simple time management tip that goes a long way in helping you become a successful student!

4. Keep a time log for a few days

Do you feel as if you've been unproductive, but you're not sure where all your time has been going?

If so, I recommend that you keep a time log for three to four days.

Keep track of everything you do during those few days. You'll then have a much better idea as to how you can manage your time more effectively.

5. If you don't understand a new concept, speak to your teacher right away

If you do this, you'll save a lot of time in the long run, because you'll be clarifying your doubts as they arise.

6. Keep an ongoing list of every single thing you have to do

Don't rely on your brain as a storage device.

Instead, write down every single thing you need to do: assignments, projects, errands, etc.

Review the list daily to ensure that you're working on the most important task at any given time.

7. Unfollow everyone on social media, except the people you really care about

I did this a year ago, and it's saved me hundreds of hours!

Not only that, I realise that I don't even miss not getting updates from most of those people I'd been following.

8. Turn off notifications on your tablet and phone

Do this and say goodbye to all the interruptions you've been getting when you were supposed to be focusing on your schoolwork.

This tip alone will make you a much more productive student.

9. Unsubscribe from all YouTube channels

This tip is similar to Tip #7. If you unsubscribe from all YouTube channels, you'll discover that there are only a few channels whose videos you really enjoy.

These are the channels that you'll intentionally visit so you can watch the latest videos they've posted.

Which means you don't actually need to subscribe to these channels!

10. Mute your group chats on your phone

In most group chats, there's a lot of "noise" - messages that are neither urgent nor important.

Mute your group chats, and look through them once a day to ensure that you haven't missed out anything important.

11. Use a very long password for your tablet and phone

Set a password that's 15 to 20 characters long.

By doing this, you'll become more conscious about when and how you use your tablet and phone.

You won't use these devices mindlessly, which means that you'll become a more focused and effective student.

12. Delete all social media apps on your tablet and phone

Once again, this tip will empower you to use your tablet and phone more intentionally.

If you want to check your social media feeds, you can still do so through the Internet browser.

But you're less likely to do so as often because of the slight inconvenience, as compared to opening the social media app directly.

13. Before you start a study session, put your tablet and phone in another room

This is a simple way to ensure that these electronic devices don't distract you.

By maximising the effectiveness of each study session, you'll manage your time better.

14. At the beginning of each study session, write down the task you're going to work on

It's easy to get sidetracked during a study session, which is where this tip comes in handy.

On a rough sheet of paper, write down the specific task you're going to work on (e.g. Science assignment, Question #1 to 5) and put it on your study table.

This will remind you to stay focused on that task as you're working on it.

15. Create a rough schedule for each day of the week

Every successful person I know follows a daily routine. So do these famous people.

To be a master of time management, create a schedule for each day of the week, e.g. when you'll exercise, relax, study, spend time with family.

It's impossible to follow the schedule to the minute. But you'll be far more productive if you use the schedule as a rough framework, rather than not using a schedule at all.

16. Be realistic about what you can accomplish each day

Many students overestimate what they can accomplish each day. When they don't manage to complete everything they intended to, they get discouraged and lose motivation.

So be realistic when you plan your day, and assume that there will be a few unforeseen interruptions.

17. Make time to reflect on a weekly basis

Once a week, take ten minutes to think about the week gone by.

Think about what went well and what didn't go so well.

Decide what changes you'll make in the coming week, and write them down.

18. For every homework assignment you receive, decide when you're going to start working on it

Be as specific as possible, e.g. "I'm going to start working on the English essay this coming Wednesday at 4 p.m."

This is far better than saying to yourself, "I'm going to start working on the English essay as soon as possible."

19. Finish every homework assignment at least one to two days before it's due

In this way, you'll have time to check through your work thoroughly.

And just in case something urgent pops up at the last minute, you'll still be able to complete the assignment on time.

20. Learn to say no

There's an endless list of ways that you could spend your time.

This means that you must learn to say no to the things that aren't aligned with your priorities.

Get in the habit of saying no more often. If you need ideas as to how you can say no both politely and firmly, check out this article.

21. Determine when you're most productive, and work on your hardest assignments during that time

Do you work best in the afternoon? Or are you most productive at night?

Work on your hardest assignments and projects during your most productive hours of the day. This is a powerful way to make the most of your time.

22. In your calendar, block out time for homework and studying

As the saying goes, "If it doesn't get scheduled, it doesn't get done."

If you're serious about effective time management, then block out time in your schedule for homework and studying.

23. Remove all distractions from your study table

If there are magazines, books, souvenirs, toys, etc. on or near your study table, which distract you while you're studying, then remove them.

Put them at the other end of the room, or move them to another room.

(Go ahead, do it right now!)

24. Get eight hours of sleep every night

Research has proven that a lack of sleep affects your concentration, memory, mood, and overall health.

To be a productive student, make sure that you get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

(Students always tell me that it's impossible to get eight hours of sleep a night. But if you apply all the tips in this article, I'm sure you'll be able to!)

25. Prepare for class every day

Every day, think about the classes you'll be attending in school the following day.

Take a few minutes to skim through the notes from the previous class, as well as the notes for the upcoming class (assuming you already have them).

This way, you'll be well prepared for each class, which means that you'll gain more from what is taught.

26. Exercise at least three times a week

Exercise boosts your memory and brain function.

So make it a priority to exercise at least three times a week or more.

By ensuring that your brain is functioning optimally, you'll be able to concentrate better and manage your time better too.

27. Write down all your test dates and assignment due dates in your calendar

As mentioned in Point #6, don't rely on your brain as a storage device.

Write down all important dates in your calendar, e.g. tests, exams, assignment and project due dates.

When you do this consistently, you won't be caught off-guard a day before an assignment is due.

28. Set reminders for when to start studying for tests

It's a good idea to set a reminder or make a note in your calendar as to when you'll start preparing for an upcoming test.

This makes it more likely that you'll start studying for the test early.

29. Review new information you've learned within 24 hours

This is crucial if you want to move the information to your long-term memory.

Furthermore, by reviewing the new information within 24 hours, you'll also be able to identify which concepts you don't fully understand. You can then apply Tip #5.

30. For projects and big assignments, always be clear about what the next step is

One of the main reasons that students procrastinate is that they aren't clear what exactly they should do next for a project or assignment.

I recommend that you keep a list of "next actions" for each project or big assignment, so that you always know what you ought to do next.

31. Never skip classes

I know... when the teacher is boring or the material is uninteresting to you, it's so tempting to skip class.

But resist the temptation.

If you skip classes, you'll need to spend more time in the long run catching up. In addition, during class your teacher will highlight the key concepts. This will make it easier for you to understand the material.

32. If you're feeling unmotivated, change your studying environment

There's no harm in mixing it up once in a while to give you a boost in productivity.

On weekdays, you might decide to do all of your homework and studying at home. While on weekends, you might decide to go to a nearby library or café for a change in environment.

33. If a task takes less than three minutes to complete, do it right away

Many tasks fall in this category: sending a file to your classmate via email, asking your parents to sign a consent form, clearing the clothes off of your room floor.

Once you get a chance to perform the task, do it immediately. This will ensure that these small tasks don't pile up and become overwhelming.

34. Create a study plan for every test and exam

Don't just tell yourself that you'll study hard for an upcoming test.

Instead, create a study plan where you list what you'll do to prepare for the test. Create a rough timeline to go along with the plan as well.

35. Put a clock on your study table

Students often lose track of time while they're studying or doing their homework.

I recommend that you put a clock on your study table so that you're always aware of the time.

Being aware of the time is vital if you want to become a student who's an expert at time management.

36. Eliminate any perfectionist tendencies

Students who are perfectionists are also the ones who are most likely to procrastinate.

If you're a perfectionist, set a rule for yourself that you can only work on one task at a time, and that you must complete the task before moving on to another task.

This way, you won't jump from one task to another, while making little progress overall.

37. Clear your study table at least once every two days

Scientists have found that physical clutter makes it harder for you to concentrate.

My own experiences tell me that this is true too, which is why I do my best to keep my desk free of clutter.

I recommend that you clear your study table at least once every two days - once a day is even more ideal.

This will help you to be more focused and productive!

38. Write down your priorities and review them weekly

Take ten minutes to write down your priorities in life. (Don't list more than four or five.)

Think about whether the way you spend your time is in line with these priorities.

Repeat this review process once a week to ensure that you stay on track.

39. Check your email and text messages just three to four times a day

For most students, checking and replying to text messages and emails takes an hour or two each day.

To become a more efficient student, make it a point to check your email and text messages just a few times each day.

40. Eat a healthy breakfast every single day

Eating a healthy breakfast has been linked to enhanced focus and mental performance.

This explains why successful students never skip breakfast!

41. Do deep breathing exercises for two to three minutes a day

Deep breathing improves focus and reduces stress.

Start with a couple of minutes of deep breathing a day, and increase gradually from there.

Read this article for the specifics on how to perform deep breathing exercises.

42. List your main distractions and time wasters, and eliminate them

Students often aren't even aware what their main distractions and time wasters are.

So take a few minutes and think about what your biggest distractions are. Write them down on a sheet of paper, and come up with an action plan to eliminate - or at least reduce - them.

43. Set a fixed time to stop work each day

For example, you might decide that you'll stop work at 9 p.m. every day.

Once you start keeping to this, you'll notice that your time management has improved.

This is because having a fixed "stop time" every day keeps you focused on the tasks you need to complete. You won't find yourself thinking that there's still plenty of time to get the work done.

44. Hang out with motivated and productive people

As Jim Rohn once said, "You're the average of the five people you spend most of your time with."

Make it a point to hang out with motivated, passionate and productive people. You'll become more like them over time.

45. Listen to Baroque music while you're studying

Studies have shown that listening to certain kinds of Baroque music has a beneficial effect on memory, attention and mood.

I listen to Baroque music every time I do work, and I've found that it helps me to concentrate.

You can start by listening to the Baroque music found here.

Conclusion

"Time management" sounds like a simple concept, but it isn't.

There are so many distractions in this digital age we live in. As such, it's becoming harder and harder for students to master the art of time management.

Of course, this doesn't mean that it's impossible to be a productive student. It just means that it'll require effort on your part.

Effort to get rid of old habits.

Effort to form new habits.

Effort to keep on trying, even when you feel like you'll never be a focused student.

This article is close to 3,000 words long. You've made it to the end, so I know you're committed to putting in the necessary effort.

Apply the tips in this article one day at a time, and you'll be on your way to becoming a successful student.

More than that, you would have developed the skills and habits that will enable you to make a greater contribution to society over the long run.

I wish you all the best on this meaningful journey!
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BONUS: Don't forget to download a free PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 5 exclusive bonus tips that you'll only find in the PDF.

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45 Time Management Tips for Students (Advice From a Lifelong Straight-A Student)

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Everyone gets the same 24 hours each day. Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Isaac Newton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leonardo da Vinci - they all had 24 hours a day, just like you and me. What enabled them to lead such significant lives? They managed their time well.

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from Department of Education

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NEPS advice on Stress and Anxiety