How do you measure your study? The way you answer this question is actually really important in terms of academic performance.
You’re probably wondering why it is so important. Well, from our research with thousands of top performing students from around Australia, how you answer that question influences the overall success of your academic performance in Years 11 and 12.
So, we’re going to tell you the best way to answer that question and give you a simple strategy to help you!
Let’s take a look!
Time Does Not Equal Output
Shift Your Focus to Output
Write a Daily To-Do List
Time Does Not Equal Output
We’ve all been there before: you set your time for a two hour study session, you make a coffee in between, stare at the wall for a bit, twirl around on your chair, lift your mood by watching funny animal videos on youtube and then bang, the timer goes off.
But how much study did you actually get in? Perhaps, if you’re lucky, you got 30 mins out of the two hours — probably not nearly as much as you wanted to!
Then you hear that question: ‘How did your study go?’
Well, you probably say that it went well but in reality, you actually spent more time procrastinating than working.
So, it’s fairly clear that measuring your study by time isn’t going to do you any good — it’s actually the worst thing you can do. There’s barely any relationship between the time you study and what you actually get done.
Shift Your Focus to Output
What you need to focus on is your output — not how much time you sit at your desk.
It’s about the quality of your study and the effort you’re putting into it. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether you spend two hours and get all your study done for the day or five hours — the most important part is what you get done.
We’ve got a great strategy to help you shift your focus to output!
Write a Daily To-Do List
It’s a simple way to keep you accountable, measure your study and shift your focus from time to output.
By writing a to-do list, you’ve got an idea of what you actually need to get done. This means at the end of your study session, you’re able to see what you’ve actually achieved instead of just thinking, ‘Well, I did my three hours of study today,’ — even though it may not have been productive.
By a daily to-do list, you’re also held accountable because you can’t trick yourself into believing you’ve got lots done — either, you can tick-off one of the points on your to-do list or you can’t.
The best time to write your daily to-do list is first thing after school before you begin studying! That way, you’ve got a really clear idea about what you’re going to get done.
And that’s it!
Next time, your parent or a friend asks you how your study session went, have a really good think about how to answer that question.
Remember, the way you answer that question can impact your overall success in Year 11 and 12. So, measure your study by output and not time! Go and write your daily to-do list!
Looking for some extra help with study?
We pride ourselves on our inspirational coaches and mentors!
We offer tutoring and mentoring for Years K-12 in a variety of subjects, with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home, online or at one of our state of the art campuses in Hornsby or the Hills!
To find out more and get started with an inspirational tutor and mentor get in touch today!
Give us a ring on 1300 267 888, email us at [email protected] or check us out on Facebook!
Tanna Nankivell is a Senior Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently in Germany completing a year of study for her double degree in Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). She has had articles published on Central News – the UTS Journalism Lab and wrote a feature piece for Time Out Sydney during her internship. Tanna has a love for travel and the great outdoors, you’ll either find her on the snowfields or in the ocean, teaching aqua aerobics or creating short films.
