Lesson 2: Planning Like a Pro

• New lesson editor
• LessonUp
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

The exam period can be an exciting but often stressful time for students. They struggle with planning, staying focused, exam nerves, and finding a balance between studying and relaxing. The ‘Exam Boost’ lesson series helps students prepare for their exams in a structured and calm way. These lessons are light-hearted, interactive, and immediately useful, allowing students to study effectively without becoming overwhelmed. The focus is on practical strategies they can apply straight away, such as smart planning, managing stress, building healthy habits, and studying more efficiently. Each lesson includes: • A short introduction presenting a relatable situation. • Interactive elements like polls, quiz questions, and hands-on tasks to actively involve students. • Clear tips and exercises that encourage immediate action. • A reflective wrap-up where students share what they’ve learned and how they’ll use it. The lessons can be delivered as standalone sessions or as a complete series. The goal isn’t just to help students pass their exams, but also to teach them how to do so with less stress and a healthier mindset.

Instructions

Brief Introduction for the Teacher:

Many students find planning difficult, which often leads to starting too late or trying to do too much at once. In this lesson, they’ll learn how to create a realistic and flexible study plan that actually works.

Planning Like a Pro

Lesson: 2

How do you plan for

your exams?

A

B

1

I procrastinate until the last minute.

2

My plan is too ambitious.

3

I lose track of things.

4

I don’t stick to my plan.

5

Other.

What is your biggest planning problem?

Poll

Have pupils briefly explain why their current planning does or doesn’t work for them, and discuss together as a class how it could be improved.

What is the best planning technique?

A

Study as much as possible every day.

B

Set short, achievable goals.

C

Do everything in the last week.

D

Not planning anything and just seeing what happens.

Quiz

Emphasise that setting small, achievable goals leads to more motivation and better results.

Breaking down your study tasks into smaller, manageable chunks can make studying feel less overwhelming and more rewarding. When you achieve these smaller goals, it boosts your confidence and keeps you motivated to continue. It also helps you maintain focus and prevents burnout.

Create Your Own Exam Schedule

Create a List of All Subjects You Need to Study for Your Exams

Divide the Material Over Multiple Days and Blocks

Make space for review and rest days.

Create a visually clear schedule.

Step: 1

Step: 2

Step: 3

Step: 4

Practical Assignment

Step 1:

Students create a list of all the subjects they need to study.

Step 2:

They divide the material over multiple days and blocks.

Step 3:

They make room for review and rest days.

Planning Without Stress

🍅

Keep Study Blocks Short (Max. 25 Minutes of Studying, 10 Minutes of Breaks)

📅

Plan Your Most Challenging Subjects at Your Best Time of the Day

✍️

Create a Cheat Sheet with Your Key Topics for Each Subject

💪

My Main Learning Strategy is…

Closing:

Ask students which learning strategy they will apply first and how they will keep their schedule manageable.

#check

A good plan = half the job done

Click here for more lessons from…