How to Write Better Essays

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18 Your own personal timetable

In this chapter you will learn:

• how to plan your own personal timetable step by step;


• about the importance of giving your mind time to process the
  material you’ve read and develop ideas of your own;


• how to ensure you do the right job at the right time.

Now that you’ve got a clear idea of the way you use your time, you’re

more aware of the sort of adjustments you need to make. With this in

mind you can now take another copy of the personal weekly timetable

and this time compile what you believe is likely to be the best use of

your time, which will ensure you get the most out of your abilities. You

will need to keep in mind the points we’ve already made as you work

your way through the following steps:

Step 1: Regular activities

The first step is to enter onto the timetable all the normal routine things

you do each week – things like family commitments, meal times, the

hours of sleep you normally need, regular social activities, the time you

spend travelling each day, and so on. You can also enter your regular

class times: the lectures, seminars and tutorials that you have to attend

each week.

Step 2: How much study time?

Next you should ask yourself how many hours each day you’re going

to study. At present this might seem like asking you how long is a piece

of string: you study as long as you have to. And there will be times

when you have to go over your timetabled limit. But you do need to

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