Effective personal planning while studying

Large assignments and group projects can quickly feel overwhelming, especially when there are many tasks, deadlines and different people involved. That is why it can be helpful to use a structured method to stay organised and maintain an overview throughout the entire process.

The OMTANKE model is a tool that can help you plan larger projects and complex assignments. By working through the model’s seven steps, you gain a clear overview of what is needed to complete the task successfully. At the same time, the model is flexible, allowing you to adjust your plan as the project develops.

The task
When working on a project, such as a software development project or an engineering report, you can start by breaking the assignment down into smaller parts. These may include research, coding, testing and documentation.

The goal
Set clear goals for the project and distinguish between overall goals and milestones. For example, an overall goal might be to complete a prototype, while specific milestones could include finishing particular features or chapters.

The time
Set realistic deadlines for each stage of the project. There may be fixed deadlines, such as supervision sessions, where you need to have material ready for others to review and provide feedback on. Being aware of these deadlines can help you avoid unnecessary stress as submission dates approach.

The actions
What needs to be done, and who is responsible? If it is a group project, distribute tasks among team members. Make sure everyone understands their responsibilities and the criteria that must be be met before a task is considered complete. If it is a written assignment, define whether the task involves producing a first draft, editing, or checking sources. Be clear about the purpose of each activity.

The notes
Use tools such as Trello or Notion to visualise tasks and deadlines. This creates a clear overview and helps you track progress.
For some people, having something physically visible, such as a whiteboard or Post-it notes on a wall, can make tasks feel more concrete and help highlight progress.

Communication
Schedule regular meetings and updates to ensure everyone is aligned and that any issues can be resolved quickly.
If you work using agile methods, you can hold a short daily stand-up meeting to discuss what was completed yesterday, what will be worked on today, and any challenges that need to be addressed. This approach can also be effective when working independently.

Evaluation
Once the project has been completed, reflect on what went well and what could be improved for next time.

Many students have part-time jobs to support themselves financially or to gain relevant work experience. It is important to strike a healthy balance and make effective use of your time, so you do not end up burning the candle at both ends.

Divide your day into time blocks. Use the ABC model to prioritize which tasks you perform in the different blocks.
Insert the most demanding tasks in the time blocks when you know you have the most energy to perform them.

You can, for example, allocate the morning to studies, the afternoon to work, and the evening to relax or go through less important tasks.

This way, you can structure your time and ensure that you get both work and studies done effectively. Here it is good to know your strengths and understand how you best work during the day.

CAREFUL

Use the model specifically for exam preparation and break down reading the curriculum into smaller, manageable parts. Set goals for what you want to read each day and create a schedule for when to review each topic.

ABC model

Use the ABC model to prioritize which topics are most crucial for the exam (A tasks) and which can wait (B or C tasks).

Time blocking

Use time blocking to plan intensive study blocks where you work concentrated for a period and then take breaks. Here you can use a technique like Pomodoro, where you work in intervals and take a break between each interval for four rounds, followed by a longer break.

It is important for your mental well-being and balance to find time for leisure activities and relaxation. Research supports that you improve your learning and have more energy throughout the day when you break intense focus time with lighter activities and breaks.

When you learn to plan effectively according to your personality and learning style, you can more easily enjoy your interests and time with friends and family.