Identify the Starting Line
You can’t race off to your ultimate goal until you figure out where
your starting line is. So the first step necessary to overhaul your
current routine is to identify that routine in detail. There are two ways
to go about this, and I suggest you do both.
The first is to use the chart on the next page to assess how much time
you actually have available for studying. If it’s clearly not enough, then
you’d better reassess how much time you’re spending in each of the
other areas. You may have to cut your part-time work hours, quit a
club, even change your schedule to reduce your commute. Of course,
if you’re spending two hours a day on “grooming” or six hours eating,
the solution may be a little more obvious.
You should create a second chart yourself. Write down, in 15-minute
increments, how you spend your time right now. While keeping
track of your activities for a day or two might be sufficient for some
of you, I recommend you chart them for an entire week, including
the weekend.
This is especially important if, like many people, you have huge
pockets of time that seemingly disappear, but in reality are devoted
to things like “resting” after you wake up, putting on makeup or
shaving, reading the paper, waiting for transportation, or driving to
and from school or work. Could you use an extra hour or two a day,
either for studying or for fun? Make better use of such “dead” time
and you’ll find all the time you need.
80 How to Study