Have you ever wondered why you get nervous during exams? Research states that 70 percent of university students do not plan their time. And if you don’t plan, stress, sleepless nights and low grades will be in your future. If you think “I’ve done everything at the right time”, think… When was the last time you said that? There is no difficulty in making a study plan, but it is a plan that actually works. This requires to be a little smarter. Today we will learn how you can create a study plan that is realistic and improves your GPA. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

Do an honest analysis of your study plan

First analyze your routine. How much time is spent on Netflix per day? How much time is wasted scrolling and scrolling? Write down every hour of your day. When you realize that you are spending 4-5 hours without doing anything productive, you will understand how to use that time. Auditing time is very important. How do you plan if you don’t know where the time is? Use mobile apps like Forest or Rescue Time. It has become the tracker of your digital life. Note your strengths and weaknesses. Are you active in the morning or at night? Remember your best time and save the second time for difficult subjects.

Set clear and achievable goals for a solid study plan

The lifeblood of every project is its objectives. But vague goals like “I will get good grades” don’t work. You have to set smart goals. i.e Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound. For example, “100% of the Microeconomics course is to be completed in the next 30 days, giving 2 hours per day.” See This goal is clear and measurable. When goals are realistic, the brain is naturally active. Always write down your goals and keep them in mind. Break each goal into smaller parts, to make tracking easier. This will build your consistency. When you accomplish a goal, your confidence doubles.

Create study blocks, no boring marathons

Too much wear kills productivity. The human brain can maintain 100% focus for only 25 to 30 minutes. Performance seems to drop after that. So follow the Pomodoro technique. This means 25 minutes of intense focus, 5 minutes of break. This is called a “Study Block“. Plan multiple study blocks throughout the day. Like 2 blocks in the morning, 2 blocks in the afternoon and 1 block in the evening. This way you will stay mentally fresh and your retention will also improve. This will save you from the boring marathon, which involves only sitting, not learning. Intervals include light walking, stretching or listening to music. But avoid scrolling the phone, the color is distracting.

Create a visual timetable that is easy to see

Visibility is essential for a good study plan. As long as your plan is only in your mind, it will never come to fruition. So make a colorful and neat timetable. Use a whiteboard, printable calendar, or Google Calendar. Give each subject a specific color. Like green for science, blue for math. The mind gets attached to it easily. Keep the timetable in front of your study desk. When you look at your day on a worksheet, your brain anticipates what the next step is. It reduces stress. The plan must be visible, so that your subconscious becomes part of the plan.

Do it in the revision days, otherwise all will be forgotten

It is not enough to just wear, revision is also necessary. Research says that without revision, 80 percent of content is forgotten within 48 hours. You must include revision days in your study plan. Go to the toilet every 3 days and see what you have learned. Just covering a topic once is not enough to retain. Make short notes and flashcards. Activate visual memory. Use quiz apps. Also revise past papers weekly. When you revise continuously, your brain stores the material in long-term memory. That is, everyone felt very fresh during the exam.

Understand your own learning style, don’t copy it

Every student’s mind is different. Some people are better suited to visual learning, some to audio, and some to writing. You understand your study style. If you only follow other people’s plans, they may fail for you. Diagrams, flowcharts and videos are effective for visual learners. Recorded lectures and podcasts are useful for auditory learners. If you’re writing oriented, making notes and explaining yourself is best. Follow the content according to your style. When learning is personalized, planning automatically becomes productive. Analyze your past results and see what methods helped you achieve them.

Avoid over-planning and perfectionism

Too much planning can sometimes be dangerous. Planning every minute and expecting it to be perfectly executed will cause you stress and guilt. When even one little thing doesn’t go according to plan, you get in a bad mood. So take a realistic approach. Build flexibility. Sometimes unexpected guests, illness or uni assignments come up. Your plan should be flexible enough to absorb any changes. Due to perfectionism, students are more likely to stop making study plans. Remember, 80% done is better than 100% planned but 0% executed.

Don’t neglect social life and self-time

A study plan does not mean that you only study books. Balance is essential. When you meet your friends, or go for a nature walk, your mind is refreshed. Keep it light one or two days each week. Here you can socialize, or pursue hobbies. When you are emotionally satisfied, the quality of your studies also improves. When it comes to self-care, meditation, soft music or journaling can be helpful. Take the overload mat. It looks like the color is burnt. After burning, nothing happens – only an empty mind and guilt remain.

Review your study plan regularly

Once a plan is in place, its review should also become a routine. Take 30 minutes every Sunday and see what you’ve gained and what you’ve lost. If that doesn’t work, try resetting it. Review has activated your project. You gain a better understanding of your patterns each week. If a strategy isn’t working, change the one you’re using. This means that you don’t become a slave to strict planning, but you become a smart planner. It is also useful to show your progress on a chart. Like a weekly goal tracker or checklist. As the tick marks increase, so does the motivation.

Conclusion

If you want university life to be more than just stress and late night jitters, you should make a study plan and stick to it. But what should be the plan? Actually work, a plan that takes into account your routines, learning styles, and real-life situations. Today’s article builds a solid foundation of what you’ve learned, from self-analysis to revision days, from flexibility to continuous review. If you follow this process, not only will your GPA improve, but your self-esteem will improve as well. Ultimately the matter is simple: either you control your time, or time controls you.