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A significant challenge students face with the Extended Essay is managing time and tasks effectively.
It's essential that you understand that multitasking is not effective. You should set aside dedicated time to focus exclusively on the task at hand.
To help manage larger projects, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach makes daunting tasks feel less overwhelming and allows for a sense of accomplishment with each completed section. Prioritise tasks, tackling the most important ones first. Mixing smaller tasks with larger ones can create a sense of achievement, as completing these "small wins" can enhance motivation and productivity.
Something I find helpful is outlining before I begin.
Here are some ideas and resources to support this process:
Study Hygiene:
Study Hygiene:
Create a Distraction-Free Space:
Choose a quiet area where you can focus. Block off time in your calendar specifically for studying; this is called time blocking.
Prepare Yourself:
Take a shower and brush your teeth to feel refreshed.
Dress in comfortable clothing, like sweatpants and a big T-shirt. Keep a cozy hoodie nearby in case you get cold.
Limit Digital Distractions:
Turn off your email notifications.
Block access to social media.
Put your phone on airplane mode to avoid interruptions.
Close any irrelevant tabs on your browser to stay focused.
Organise Your Workspace:
Clear your desk of clutter.
Ensure all necessary materials (pen, paper, etc.) are within reach.
Have water and a healthy snack nearby.
If you prefer music while studying, choose instrumental tracks to avoid distractions from lyrics.
Gantt Charts:
Gantt Charts:
A Gantt chart is an effective tool for planning projects like an extended essay, which involves various tasks. The chart displays tasks on the left side and shows the allocated time for each task as horizontal bars on the right. The length of each bar represents the duration of the respective task; longer bars indicate more time is allocated. This visual representation allows you to see the entire project at a glance, including all tasks and their timelines.
I much prefer using Notion.
Pomodoro Technique:
Pomodoro Technique:
Each interval is called a "Pomodoro."
25 minute study interval
Short (active) break
25 minute study interval
They can use a timer to do this.
After 4x25 minute study sessions, a longer break is needed.
2 x 25 min sessions are more effective than a 60 minute session
**This won't work for all students when it comes to essay writing - some may find longer uninterrupted sessions work best for them**
Pareto Principle:
Pareto Principle:
The Pareto principle, often referred to as the 80/20 rule, highlights an important insight: roughly 80% of results stem from just 20% of the efforts. This concept is particularly relevant for students, especially those who tend to be perfectionists. Here are a few strategies to help students harness this principle effectively:
Focus on Marking Criteria
Understand Expectations: Encourage students to clearly understand the marking criteria before diving into their work. This helps them prioritize what matters most.
Target Key Elements: Identify the 20% of the criteria that will yield 80% of the marks.
Avoiding Research Overload
Set Clear Limits: Recommend setting a strict time limit for research to prevent getting lost in endless information.
Curate Sources: Teach students to focus on a few high-quality sources rather than trying to cover everything.
Embrace Imperfection
Draft First, Refine Later: Emphasize the importance of producing a rough draft. The idea is to get words on paper without the pressure of perfection.
Iterative Improvement: Encourage students to view their work as a process. They can refine and improve their drafts over time.
ABC Method (Prioritisation):
ABC Method (Prioritisation):
The ABC method of prioritisation is a simple yet effective technique used to categorise tasks based on their importance.
Categorise the tasks:
A Tasks: High priority. These tasks are urgent and important. They must be done first and often have significant consequences if not completed.
B Tasks: Medium priority. These tasks are important but not urgent. They should be done after A tasks and may contribute to long-term goals.
C Tasks: Low priority. These tasks are neither urgent nor important. They can be done last.
Prioritise: Focus on completing A tasks first, followed by B tasks, and finally C tasks.
Pro-Tip: Consider setting deadlines for A and B tasks to enhance accountability.
Deep Work:
Deep Work:
A Deep Work session is a focused period of time where you work on a cognitively demanding task without distractions. The idea comes from Cal Newport’s book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. I have a copy if you'd like to read it.
🚀 Eliminate all distractions (no phone, social media, notifications, or multitasking)
🚀 Set a clear goal for the session (e.g., "Write 500 words of my EE introduction")
🚀 Work with full focus for a fixed time (usually 60–90 minutes)
🚀 Take a proper break afterwards
⏱️ Example Deep Work session structure:
🤚 Prep (5 mins): Clear your desk, close tabs, set your phone on "Do Not Disturb"
💪 Work (60 mins): Write your literature review section or analyse data
🧘 Break (15–20 mins): Move around, stretch, eat, or rest your brain
Not-To-Do-List:
Not-To-Do-List:
A not-to-do list can include a variety of items. Here are some common examples:
Don’t procrastinate and put off tasks until the last minute.
Don’t multitask. Focus on one task at a time instead of juggling multiple activities.
Don’t use social media when you’re trying to work. Restrict time spent on social media platforms during study time.
Refrain from engaging in self-doubt or criticism or other negative self-talk.
Say no to tasks or activities that don’t align with your priorities; get the essay finished!
Avoid checking emails constantly; set specific times for this task—not when you’re working on the essay.
Let go of the need for everything to be perfect before moving forward.
Skip tasks that don’t significantly contribute to your goals; leave these until the end.
Stop comparing your progress to that of others.
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