Have you ever underestimated the time it takes to complete an assignment or study for an exam? Do you find that no matter how early you start, you »å´Ç²Ô’t have enough time?
Backwards planning can help with this.ÌýHere’s how:
- Assignments and tasks are broken down into manageable tasks
- Tasks are spread out with enough time for unexpected challenges, like getting sick or getting stuck on a difficult concept
- You have clear direction for what tasks need to be done and when they're due
Follow along and work through the steps using the backwards planning worksheet (PDF).
Step 1: Find the deadlineÌý
When is your assignment due or when will you write the test/exam? ³Û´Ç³Ü’l±ô be working backwards from this date.
Tip: Technical difficulties and system glitches happen. Plan to submit your assignment at least a half hour before ¾±³Ù’s due.Ìý
Step 2: Break down tasksÌý
Break down your assignment or study plan into separate tasks, starting with the deadline.Ìý
Example 1: Research essay due December 1
- Submit
- Revise, edit and format
- Go to the Writing and Communications CentreÌýfor feedback on essay structure
- Write the conclusion
- Write the body
- Create a thesis statement
- Create an outline
- Research
- Pick a research topic
Example 2: Chemistry exam on December 8Ìý
- Write the exam
- Complete a mock exam
- See Teaching Assistant (TA) or instructor again for help with practice questions
- Create and complete practice questions
- Review what to include in review notes for exams
- Create course review notes of study concepts
- Create course review notes of study terms and theories
- Book an appointment with a Peer Success Coach for help creating review notesÌý
- Review lecture review notesÌý
- See TA or instructor to discuss concepts ±õ’m uncertain about
Step 3: Assign due dates.
Determine how much time you need for each task. You might choose to arrange your tasks in chronological order or leave them in reverse chronological order.
Tip: Determining how much time to give yourself can be tricky, so »å´Ç²Ô’t hesitate to chat through it with a Peer Success Coach!
Example 3: Research essay due December 1
- Pick a research topic (November 1)
- Research (November 2-11)
- Find scholarly sources
- Read sources
- Create a reference list/bibliography
- Synthesize materials (combine information from sources to focus on overarching concepts and think about how they fit together)
- Create a thesis statement (November 11-12)
- Write the introduction (November 11-13)
- Write the body (November 13-24)Ìý
- Write the conclusion (November 26)
- Go to the Writing and Communications CentreÌýfor feedback on essay structure (November 26)Ìý
- Revise, edit format (November 26 – December 1)
- Revise structure
- Include more examples
- Double check formatting for in-text citations
- Submit (December 1, 11:30 p.m.)
Example 4: Chemistry exam on December 8
- See TA or instructor to discuss concepts ±õ’m uncertain about (November 14)Ìý
- ÌýReview my lecture review notes (November 14-19)
- Ask Prof or classmates for notes from missed lectures (November 17)
- Do readings from missed lectures
- Create course review notes of terms and theories (November 17-20)
- Create course review notes of study concepts (November 20-27)
- Create and complete practice questions (November 27 - December 5)
- Work through practice questions
- Check answers
- Create list of problems to bring to the TA or instructor
- See TA or instructor again for help with practice questions (December 5)
- Complete a mock exam (December 6-7)
- Do a timed practice test
- Check answers
- Revisit tough questions and review them
- Write the exam (December 8)