How to Create a Self-Study Timetable for Exams

8 July 2025 The Manthan School

An effective study timetable is very important for helping students manage their time, stay focused, and prepare well for exams. It allows you to plan what to study each day, reduce stress, and keep a healthy balance between study and rest. When the timetable fits your learning style and includes regular breaks and simple study techniques, it becomes even more effective. With clear goals and steady habits, you can cover all your subjects properly and feel more confident during exams. One of the best schools in Greater Noida, The Manthan School, follows this approach and encourages students to create personalized study timetables as part of their exam preparation.

Why Do You Need a Study Timetable?

A study timetable is like a roadmap for your exam preparation. It helps you:

Manage your time better

Prioritise what is most important

Reduce anxiety

Rely on a healthy balance of study and rest

Monitor your progress

Instead of wondering what to study every day, your timetable gives you a clear plan. It saves time and helps you stay motivated.

Start With Your Goals

Prior to creating a study timetable, you need to consider your study goals. For example, do you want to improve in a particular subject? Are there any difficult chapters or assignments you need to complete before the exams? By identifying clear and simple goals, “Revise Chapter 5 – Science” or “Complete 10 math problems today”, is very powerful. When your goals are specific, your study sessions become more focused, effective, and easier to manage.

List All Your Subjects and Topics

Now make a list of all the subjects you are required to study. Under each subject, write down the important chapters or topics.
This will give you an overview of how much you need to cover and which subjects you will have to proportionately spend more effort on. You will also be better able to allocate your time.

For example:

Math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry

Science: Physics – Motion, Chemistry – Elements

English: Grammar, Writing practice, Literature

Give More Time to Difficult Subjects

Some subjects are easy, while others may take more time. That’s normal! So, plan your timetable in a way that gives more time to the tough subjects.
If you’re good at English but struggle with Science, give more study time to Science in your daily plan. Also, give more time to the subjects that carry more marks in the exam.
But remember, don’t completely ignore any subject. Keep a balance so you’re prepared for everything.

Break Down Your Study Time

Studying for lengthy periods without any breaks may actually inhibit your ability to focus and retain the information you have learned. Your brain, like your body, needs time to rest and recharge. That is why it is advisable to break your study sessions down into small, manageable study periods. One technique that works well is the Pomodoro technique. With this method, you study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This method will help you keep your mind fresh as well as help you maintain and keep your focus, and allow you to get more studying done in a shorter period of time.

Prioritize Important Tasks and Deadlines

If you have any assignments due soon or chapters that are definitely going to be in the exam, make sure to note them down first; these should be your top priorities. Start by making a list of all your tasks and then mark them based on how urgent or important they are. As you complete each task, tick it off your list. This simple habit helps you stay organized, manage your time better, and ensures you don’t forget or miss anything important during your exam preparation.

Be Flexible and Stay Positive

Sometimes the plan doesn’t work out exactly how you hoped and that’s perfectly fine. Maybe one day you feel tired or a subject requires more time than you planned.

Don’t worry. All you need to do is change your timetable. It’s important to be regular in your efforts, not to achieve perfection. If you happen to miss a session, just keep learning. Start over the next day. Being flexible and positive is equally important as sticking to the timings.

Use Tools That Help You Study

There are many tools and apps that can help you stick to your plan:

You can use either your phone or a kitchen timer for your Pomodoro study breaks.

Study planners (digital or paper) to write down your goals

Apps that block distractions like games or social media during study time

Use whatever works best for you. The goal is to stay focused and avoid wasting time.

Final Thoughts from The Manthan School, Greater Noida

At The Manthan School, Greater Noida, we believe that smart planning leads to better results, especially during exam time. A self-study timetable allows you to direct your learning, reduce feelings of stress and increase your self-confidence. You should take things gradually, set goals you can reach and regularly stick to your plan. Make time to rest, take breaks now and then and pay attention to your wellbeing. Sticking to a plan, having focused goals and putting in daily work will make you ready for every exam.

You’ve got this—one day, one subject, one step at a time!