“How do I create a study schedule template that actually works for me in Year 11?”
When I started the Prelim HSC, 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 to help you get organised too, I’ve written up some practical tips to help you adjust to Year 11.
Plus, I’ve also made a FREE Downloadable Year 11 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?
What’s the difference between Year 11 and Year 12?
Download your FREE Year 11 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.
When I was in Year 11, 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 practise 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 HSC, 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?
What’s the difference between Year 11 and Year 12?
#1: There are only three terms in Year 11
Most notably, Year 11 is only three terms while Year 12 is four. Therefore, the assessment structure and weightings may vary more from subject to subject.
Make sure you check out the NESA website which has sample assessment schedules for every subject for both Years 11 and 12 to add to your study planner!
#2: Content tends to be more general
The content you learn in Year 11 will generally be easier and broader than that in Year 12.
While it can differ, it’s important to master these as they usually get built upon in Year 12 — especially in STEM subjects!
Want a sneak peek of content coming this year? See our Guide to Year 11 Advanced English Module B to get prepared.
#3: Your Year 11 marks don’t count towards your HSC and ATAR
Lastly, remember that Year 11 does not count towards your HSC marks and ATAR! This is good news! Why, you may ask?
Because if you don’t do as well as you hope, you can identify where you went wrong and have soooo much room for improvement in Year 12!
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your best this year though. Your Year 11 results can secure you early entry into almost any university.
Download your FREE Year 11 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 Year 11?
We have an incredible team of Year 11 tutors and mentors who are new HSC syllabus experts!
About to make the jump to Year 12? Take our Year 12 readiness quiz here!
We can help you ace your upcoming Year 11 assessments with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at one of our state of the art campuses in Hornsby or the Hills!
We’ve supported over 6,000 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 HSC 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 Bachelors 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.
