The SCHOOL section of the Pie of Life includes these activities:

• Attending classes
• Doing homework
• Studying with a partner
• Making study tools
• Working in a study group
• Preparing for tests
• Doing ongoing review work

2:l Ratio

For most college courses, the 2:1 ratio is recommended. The 2:1 ratio involves studying two hours outside of class for every hour inside class. For each of your classes, use the 2:1 ratio to schedule fixed study blocks on your weekly time management schedule. Your study blocks should be spread throughout the week and should not be longer than three hours at one time.

How to Use Your Fixed Study Blocks

Your fixed study blocks, based on the 2:1 ratio should be spent doing a variety of learning tasks:

1. Setting goals to accomplish during the study blocks.
2. Reading assignments carefully.
3. Completing written work, problem sets, or other assignments.
4. Taking notes and making study tools.
5. Reviewing material that was previously studied.
6. Working in study groups, with a study partner, or with a tutor.
7. Preparing for tests.

Using the Increase-Decrease Method

If you are feeling that you have too little time for the STUDY section of your Pie of Life, the Increase-Decrease Method can be used to rebalance your pie. Following are some suggestions for shifting the boundary lines that are shared with WORK and LEISURE.

1. Reduce some of your social time to make more time for studying. Keep the social time that is quality social time and eliminate the less-meaningful social time.

2. Reduce the hours used for chores in order to free up more time for studying. Explore ways to spend less time on chores and to complete chores more efficiently. Elicit the help of others to share with household chores and responsibilities.

3. Look for financial aid, grants, and scholarships to supplement your income so you can reasonably afford working fewer hours.

4. Explore options to work different hours, fewer hours or hours that better accommodate your schedule.

5. Reduce the number of classes you are taking; consider alternative classes if your current classes all require heavy reading or writing loads.

6. Learn time management and effective study techniques so that the time you do have available and dedicated to studying are used efficiently.

7. Be very conscientious and committed to your study schedule. If you have schedule study blocks using the 2:1 ratio and if you use that fixed study time wisely, you may find you have sufficient time without changing your schedule.

Click on each section of the Pie of Life for more information.