2. Self-Study Blocks
2. Self-Study Blocks
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Use Google Calendar to create basic ‘Events’ like ‘Self-Study Blocks’ to help them visualise and manage their daily tasks.
In this lesson, you’ll learn to use Google Calendar to create events, such as 'Self-Study Blocks', to help us stay organised. These blocks will help us set aside time to study for class tests, homework, or exams.
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Before we look at ‘Self-Study Blocks’ we will learn about the concept of 'Time Blocking’. Time blocking is a time management method where you divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to a specific task or group of tasks. For example, you might block 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm for homework, and 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm for a class or reading a book. These blocks will help you organise your time and your day, making you productive.1
A self-study block (time block for studying) is a set time just for studying on your own. During this time, you focus on finishing homework, reading, or reviewing what you learned in class. By using a tool like Google Calendar to plan these study- blocks, you can make sure you’re ready for assessments like CFUs and summative exams.
Scheduling self-study blocks helps you organise your time, and using a method like the Pomodoro Technique can make that time even more productive. Together, these tools will help you stay focused and get more done in less time!
The Pomodoro Technique is one of the simplest and most feasible methods of time management, proposed by Francesco Cirillo in 1992. He named it “Pomodoro” (tomato in Italian) just because of the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used to track time.
Let’s watch this video together to learn more about the Pomodoro Technique and how it changed Yana’s study habits.
Vid. 2.1 How a student changed her study habits by setting goals and managing time.
What is the Pomodoro Cycle ?
Watch the video below to learn more about the Pomodoro Cycle and how to use the Pomodoro Technique for your own study sessions.
Vid. 2.2 The Pomodoro technique- Study and Productivity technique
The example below shows us how the Pomodoro technique will look on your Google calendar.
We can use the Pomodoro technique for self-study blocks with Google Calendar. We will do this by learning how to create ‘Events’ in Google Calendar.
C. 1 How can we create events in Google Calendar? 3
C. 1 How can we create events in Google Calendar? 3
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The course below provides a step-by-step guide on how to use Google Calendar to create events. We will watch Lessons 1, 2, and 3 to first refresh our memory of Google Calendar, and then learn how to create an event.
Lesson 1 will introduce you to what a digital agenda is and how it helps us manage schoolwork
Vid. 2.3 Introduction to Organising your Time with a Digital Agenda
Lesson 2 is a recap of how to view the different features of the Google Calendar
Vid. 2.4 View your Calendar by Week
Lesson 3 will teach you how to create an event on Google Calendar. You will use this skill to set up self- study blocks using the Pomodoro technique later.
Vid. 2.5 Add your School Days as Events in your Agenda
Great Job! Now that you know how to create an event, let us use this skill of creating events and apply it to making self-study blocks using the Pomodoro Technique. We will create an event to study for a Maths test in school.
Step 1 Watch this video to open Google Calendar
Vid. 2.6 How can we open Google Calendar?
Step 2 Click on the ‘+ Create’ tab on the left-hand side to create a new event
Step 3 Add ‘Math Study-Block’ as an Event on Google Calendar. Do not forget to set the time for a
25 minute study block.
Step 4 Repeat this step to create another study block using the Pomodoro technique, but remember to schedule a 5-minute break between each study block.
Wow, great job learning how to create your own self-study blocks using Google calendar. Below are some fun and quick tricks to learn better.
Barbara Oakley in her book ‘Learn Like a Pro: Science Based Tools to Become Better at Anything’ talks about some tips to improve our learning skills.
You can use this checklist to aid your learning while creating study blocks for yourself.4
Summary:
Summary:
In this unit, we explored how Google Calendar and the Pomodoro Technique can help us manage our time better. By learning to create self-study blocks and use time management strategies, we can stay organised, complete tasks efficiently, and have more time for fun. These skills not only help us now with homework and projects but they will also be useful for tackling larger goals in the future!
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