Summary:
- The importance of making a study timetable
- Benefits of following a timetable
- How to make the perfect time table
Do you find yourself pressed for time during examinations? This is a common problem amongst students during examinations or even otherwise.
Here is where the popular use of the timetable can come to your aid. A time table can be defined as a written plan or schedule depicting the sequence of events in a particular time slot.
We can say that a plan is “what” and a schedule is “when” and it takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done.
For students especially, creating a timetable can be of great value. The importance of a timetable cannot be undermined.
Below, we have reiterated the facts that support the use of a timetable by students, during their academic journey.
1. Brings Routine Into Your Life
Routine is very important in life. Routine can be defined as a sequence of events which are regularly followed. A research conducted by Jennifer Weil Malatras, Psychologist at University at Albany, found that individuals who grow up with predictable daily routines are less likely to have time management or attention problems as adults.
The research stated that “While certainly preliminary, our study contributes to the understanding that regularity in daily routines may help to promote time management skills and, in turn, reduce the experience of attention difficulties in adulthood”.
2. Saves Time
Another reason why timetable is important is that it saves time. It prevents wastage of time.
Since a timetable assigns particular tasks to be completed within a specific time, it allows the students to concentrate on one particular task for that time. Time management skills have been seen to have positive effects on students.
In a research conducted in 2019 by Richelle V Adams and Erik Blait and published in SAGE Open it was stated that Effective time management is associated with greater academic performance and lower level of anxiety in students.
3. Energy Saver
Apart from saving time, preparing a time table also saves energy. It avoids duplication and overlapping of events. With a planned time table, students can always be sure that they will not repeat an unnecessary task.
4. Time Management
One of the advantages of a timetable for students is that it allocates time according to the demand of the task.
For example, while making a time table to study two different subjects in a day, one being easy and one difficult, you can allocate appropriate time for the two subjects.
More time can be allocated for the subject which is difficult and less time for the easier subject. This way, the time has been distributed according to the level of the task in hand.
5. Goals Are Not Too Far
With a well prepared timetable your goals are not tough to achieve. A timetable ensures that you are constantly reminded of the tasks to be completed. A time table allows you to focus more on your goals.
6. Sets the Pattern for A Perfect Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle.
Each organ and tissue in our body have biological clocks that regulate the circadian rhythm. Let’s dig deeper and find out how this circadian rhythm is connected to routine and why a timetable is important.
The Circadian rhythms help to set a routine in the body. It tells the body when to perform a particular function.
So the biological clock tells the body that it is day time and the body must be awake while as night approaches the body feels tired and sleepy and the biological clock in the brain tells the body that it is night and time to sleep.
Circadian rhythms function in all aspects of the body. It tells the body when it is hungry, regulates the body temperature and releases hormones.
You may wonder how a timetable figures in the Circadian Rhythm? Well, following a time table can train your body to work perfectly and on time.
Having a fixed time table for hours of study, perfect sleep hours, and eating timings, will allow your body to produce the right hormones at the right time and therefore help to keep the body in perfect condition.
7. De-Stressing
Setting a study timetable can also be de-stressing. When you set a time table you divide your time for different subjects.
The time table shows you what you have to do and how much time you must spend on it. Knowing what you have to do in a day will help you plan well in advance and avoid last minute studying and stressful cramming during the examinations.
Having a less stressful study plan will directly lead to greater scores and more time for extracurricular activities.
8. Avoids Procrastination
Another importance of a study time table is that it helps to avoid procrastination. How does a time table help to avoid procrastination? When you prepare a timetable and follow the time table.
It shows you what to do, when to do it and how much time you must take to complete that task. You tend to complete the tasks according to the timetable in the prescribed time, thus avoiding procrastination.
As we all know that we should never do tomorrow what we can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.
Now that we have some of the benefits of a time table let’s look at how to prepare a perfect time table that will help you plan your study schedule.
Making a time table may seem easy. However, making the perfect timetable requires planning and a bit of brain power.
While making the perfect time table, a lot of factors have to be kept in mind.
Also Read Students Life Cycle – A Transformation Over the Years
3 Perfect Tips to Make the Perfect Timetable for Your Study Plan:
1. The Perfect Time of The Day
We all know that each one of us has a different body metabolism. It means that everyone’s body works differently. While you may be able to study better in the morning your peers might be able to study better during the nights.
Depending on what suits you, you must prepare your time table accordingly. Do not make time table depending on your friend’s timetable. Make a timetable that suits your learning style and your body functioning.
2. Prepare a Realistic Timetable
Remember to prepare a timetable that includes a couple of breaks and time for your recreational activities and hobbies too. As the saying goes, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.”
3. Review Your Progress
After two weeks of following your timetable, it is best to review your progress.
If you feel you have not achieved the targets in your timetable then you may have to review and prepare a new timetable that is more realistic and more achievable.
If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal.
Conclusion
Following a timetable can be very helpful to students, as seen above. However, ensuring that you follow the time table is equally important.
Following a time table brings routine and organisation into your life. Especially as a student, a time table can be the first step towards and organised and planned career. A time table gives you control over your actions.
