“How do I create a study schedule template that actually works for me during the QCE?”
When I started Year 12, I came into it with a super laid-back attitude to my weekly study routine. I didn’t even really have one, and it showed in my marks.
The only reason I got a 95+ ATAR at the end of Year 12 is because of a good study timetable. So, I’ve written up some practical tips to help you get organised too!
Plus, I’ve also made a FREE Downloadable QCE Study Planner for you to keep! 👇
How many hours a day should I put into my study planner?
How do I create a good study schedule template?
Download your FREE QCE Study Schedule Template
Looking for more study planning websites?
How many hours a day should I put into my study planner?
I recommend studying at least 2 hours per unit a week outside of class time.
While this may seem like a lot, it’s super critical to be revising the content you do in class and do some extra research if you haven’t fully grasped the info. You can spread out your weekly hours to a schedule that works for you.
During Year 11 and 12, my 2-3 hours of afternoon study looked like this:
- A quick 10 minutes of revision on what I’d learned in all classes that day.
- 2 hours of homework due the next day.
- 30 minutes with one of my units to go deeper with and revise with practice questions.
It’s important to remember that a study planner needs to accommodate for ALL aspects of your life, not just study, to make it work.
According to our Year 11 Readiness Quiz, 48% of students are planning to maintain at least one extracurricular during the QCE, and 36% plan to keep at least two activities during Year 11! That means study planners need to be more than just homework planners.
How do I create a good study schedule template?
Let’s start by looking at a not-so-good study plan. Can you spot what’s wrong with the one below?
If you answered “this is way too vague,” you’re on the mark.
What happens with a study schedule template like this is procrastination, often because you’re making decisions about what tasks you’re going to do in the moment rather than planning ahead.
Plus, there are no buffer days to allow for catch-up time! It’s so important to realise that you’re going to have off days and incomplete tasks from days before, so incorporate that ahead of time!
A good weekly study planner starts with creating SMART goals for each day. SMART stands for…
1️⃣ Specific: You know what you need to do.
- What syllabus point are you completing notes for?
- Which math exercises?
2️⃣ Measurable: You know how to track your progress.
- When have you fully ‘completed’ the task?
- Will you use quantitative or qualitative metrics to track your progress?
3️⃣ Attainable: You can actually do it!
- Have you actually given yourself enough time to complete your tasks?
- If you have a big goal or project, do you have a good time frame to keep up your motivation?
4️⃣ Relevant: Work on what is in the syllabus
- Are you working on something that actually isn’t top of the priority list?
- Are you working on something you’re already good at and don’t need more practice with?
5️⃣ Time-based: Set how long you want to spend on it.
- Do you have a regular weekly time for the revision you’re planning?
- Are you scheduling in a set time during the day for your specific tasks?
Download your FREE QCE Study Schedule Template to Customise
Instead of going between a million different apps and websites, get organised with this totally customisable Google Sheets template. Check out a sample study schedule below!
Looking for more study planning websites?
Lanes.io
This website allows you to time your study, create an easy checklist and organise tasks by subject. A great study planner!
If you’re competitive, you can also see how much your friends are studying with the leaderboard!
Notion.so
This platform lets you customise your study planner workspace with almost anything you can think of on your laptop or phone!
It’s a great dynamic set-up for your to-do lists that hopefully keeps you on track!
Pomofocus.io
A favourite of some of our tutors, this website helps administer the Pomodoro technique, which breaks up your study into 25-minute increments and 5-minute breaks with the option to customise!
We hope you’ve learnt some valuable things about studying and found some beneficial resources to utilise — good luck!
Looking for some extra help with your QCE?
We have an incredible team of Year 11 and Year 12 tutors and mentors who are experts in the QCE syllabus!
We can help you ace your upcoming assessments with personalised lessons and an expert tutor who gets you and your goals!
We’ve supported over 8,000 students over the last 11 years, and on average our students score mark improvements of over 19%!
To find out more and get started with an inspirational QCE tutor and mentor, get in touch today or give us a ring on 1300 267 888!
Madison Pryor is the current Digital Marketing Coordinator and Editor at Art of Smart Education. She graduated as School Captain with a 95+ ATAR in 2020 and achieved Band 6 and E4 results in all HSC English units. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Marketing and Media from Macquarie University, her happy place is one where she can write and design. Outside of the work she does in promoting resources to the students who’ll benefit from them, she dabbles in learning the flute, going on bush walks, and cozy video games.
