For most candidates taking the HRCI or SHRM exams, time management can be a common challenge due to full-time work schedules and family commitments. Getting your full-time job done and taking care of the family is already difficult enough before adding the extra pressure of your upcoming professional exams. In this article, I’ll share seven tips to manage your time to study and ace your exam effectively.
- Write down your schedule: In my study guide, I provide a ten weeks stress-free plan to break down essential studying areas that you need to divide and conquer. I advise all my students to have an explicit schedule, including your accountability to your study, family, and work. Break it down to the T. And keep it visible so you can be accountable to your study plan as well as personal commitments.
- Stick to a routine: Now you have your schedule. Make sure to stick to it. Human is the creature of habits. Have the same studying time every day, including the weekend.
- Use your phone and audiobook: Using an audiobook during your commute and/or recording yourself explain the concepts and materials to you are good ways to utilize your commute/waiting-in-line/chores time.
- Bring your book/notes/flashcards with you: Using break or downtime to review the materials during the day quickly.
- Stay organized: I recommend using 2-3 resources to study to diversify and deepen your knowledge instead of using 1 book. Also, creating your own post-its/flash-cards, writing concepts down will help you memorize better. Keep all your studying materials organized. Have folders for flashcards/notes/practice tests/print-out articles.
- Have an accountability buddy or Be a part of a study group: Depending on your preference, being a part of a local study group or having an accountability buddy is a great way to keep you and the other(s) motivated and accountable to study and meet deadlines.
- Set goals and deadlines: Set goals to achieve, such as getting 90% correct answers within two months, completing reading material for one chapter and some practice tests by the end of the week. Make sure you have goals and deadlines to keep yourself focus.