Organizing Yourself at the U of C
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to complete, and if it seems impossible to complete your work in a timely manner, it can be enormously helpful to write a study plan. Here's how you do it.
1st: Develop a Task List
Write Down Everything You Need to Do for the Week
- Make a to-do list for each class including plans to see the professor.
- Make a miscellaneous to-do list for tasks other than coursework.
Estimate the Amount of Time Needed for Each Task
Follow these general guidelines for estimating study time.
- Difficult reading requires approximately 1 hour per 10 pages.
- Math assignments require 4-6 hours.
- Language courses require 1 - 2 hours per day.
- Paper writing requires approximately 3 hours per page, not including reading and research time.
Prioritize Each of Your Tasks
- High Priority/Urgent Tasks
- Important but not Urgent Tasks
- Not Necessary or Urgent
Download ASAP Task List (PDF)
2nd: Make a Schedule in a Date Calendar or on a Weekly Blueprint, with Specific Plans to Tackle High Priority Tasks
- First, block out time for sleep, eating, exercise, classes, work, appointments and relaxation.
- Second, block time for your instructor's office hours, and plan to go with you homework or paper assignment in hand. The opportunity to ask even one or two questions will be surprisingly fruitful.
- Third, block your study time. Keep in mind the most obvious times to study such as Sunday evening or the night before a problem set is due.
- Finally, make a specific plan for the rest of the day or the next day. Choose high priority tasks to attend to first. In your plan, include what you will study, when you will study, and most important, where you will study.
