study plan essay for undergraduate

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How to Write a Study Plan for a Scholarship

Last Updated: October 25, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 243,227 times.

If you are asked to write a study plan for a scholarship, you may not know where to begin. Basically, a study plan describes what you'll be studying and why. One common scholarship committee that asks for study plans is the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Start by establishing your main educational goals, and then talk about how you plan to achieve them. Conclude your study plan, and spend time refining your writing.

What to Write About

• For instance, maybe your main goals for studying in China are to gain a bachelor's degree in business and learn Chinese because it's becoming a global language. You could write, "My main two educational objectives are to gain a bachelor's degree in business and to learn to speak Chinese. Chinese is becoming a global language, so I feel it's necessary to learn it."

• For instance, you might write, "I was born in the United States, but my grandparents on both sides are Chinese. I chose this business program because I want to connect with my heritage, improve my Chinese, and eventually, help establish better relations between China and the U.S. by improving trade relations."

• For example, you might say, "As a PhD candidate, I plan to conduct research on how ancient tradition and ritual influence contemporary Chinese culture, which will include a literature review and extensive interviews with historians and a small sampling of the Chinese population."

• It can help to draw a conceptual model. Start with the antecedents (the causes) and the mediators (the processes that change the antecedents). Finish with the outcomes. Draw lines between them to help you see which variables are more central to your problem.
• Consider asking peers or professors to look at your research proposal. They may be able to help you narrow.

• For instance, you might say, "One of my long-term goals is to open an import business from China to the United States, and learning about business in China will be essential to making my endeavors a success."

Explaining Your Plans

• For instance, if you plan on doing a PhD where you'll need participants, discuss how you'll find people for your study. You might say, "I plan to put out an ad to gain participants for a focus group, as well as contact historians by phone and email for interviews."

• For example, you might write, "I anticipate the language barrier will be an issue at first. However, I plan to work hard early on to learn the language, and I am already taking intensive classes now."

• To help you choose, do a thorough literature review. Look at the research that has been done in the area you plan to study. Note the primary methods used to do the research and the pros and cons of each. Choose a method based on what you think will work best for your research. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

• For instance, you might use simple random sampling or systematic sampling when the whole population is similar based on the variables for your study. On the other hand, a stratified random sample is often used when you have people who are different from each other based on your variables.

Concluding and Refining Your Writing

• For example, you might write, "Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. If I receive this award, I can focus solely on my studies. I will work hard to implement my goals of learning Chinese and gaining a business degree at a Chinese university, and your trust in me will not be wasted."

• You don't need to write as if you're talking to a child. However, you should write so someone outside of your discipline can easily understand your plan.

• The space for the study plan on the CSC application is only a couple of lines. However, the application suggests you attach more paper as needed.

Scholarship Study Plan Template

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.ecpi.edu/blog/how-to-set-educational-goals-and-meet-them
• ↑ https://bangalorestudy.com/blog/factors-to-consider-while-choosing-a-school
• ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
• ↑ http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2005/03/methods.aspx
• ↑ https://www.collegedata.com/resources/money-matters/10-ways-to-stand-out-when-applying-for-scholarships
• ↑ http://www.natco1.org/research/files/SamplingStrategies.pdf

About This Article

If you’re unsure how to go about writing a study plan for a scholarship, focus on explaining your educational goals and discussing how you’ll achieve them. Begin by briefly stating what you want to study and why. For example, you might say you want to study business management in China so you can learn Chinese, because it will soon be a global language. Then, provide some personalized reasons as to why you chose the school you want to go to, such as research interests or long-term goals. After laying out your goals, show the scholarship committee how you’ll achieve them. If you’ll be carrying out research, for instance, write about how you’ll find participants for your study. You should also try to mention possible obstacles and how you’ll overcome them, since the committee will be impressed to see you’re thinking ahead. For tips on how to proofread your study plan before sending it off, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Study Plan | How to write a Pro Study Plan

April 2, 2019

Introduction.

Study plans are schedules that designate studying times and learning objectives for specific courses or classes. Similar to a work schedule or a school schedule, a study plan outlines exact times for certain days and specific courses.

Create a study plan to become more organized and hold yourself accountable for learning objective deadlines. While applying for admissions or scholarships , you may be asked to submit a study plan that outlines your objectives and goals during your next course.

A few colleges demand Motivational letter independently alongside the study plan/research plan.

• How to write a Study Plan for CSC Scholarship?
• How to write a Study Plan Essay?

How to write a Study Plan?

You can create a study plan to become more organized and hold yourself accountable for learning objective deadlines.

Your study plan should include (at minimum) these 9 important notes:

• Your most recent education
• Achievements made an overview
• Outline learning objectives and assignment schedules (if any)
• Experiment objectives/expected outcomes
• Future academic goals
• Changes in study habits
• Outline Strengths
• Write your Weaknesses & your plans to counter them

5 Steps to Create a Study Plan

Maximize your study plan and its potential with these five essential steps:

STEP #1: THE PURPOSE OF STUDY PLAN

First of all, define the purpose of your study plan.  Is it for your college courses?  Is it for applying to scholarships?

A study plan for applying to scholarships requires a little more research and time versus a study plan for college courses.  Be sure you are including all the information that is pertinent to the purpose of the study plan.

STEP #2: THE TIME CHART IN STUDY PLAN

A time chart enables you to discover how much time you are spending on each activity throughout your day.  For example, maybe you spend 2 hours a day with your dog in the park.

Create a time chart to take notes about everything you do during the day, whether it’s at work, home, or school.  Be sure that the notes you are taking are very detailed.

So later you can look at your chart and decide where you can plug in an extra hour of studying and where you’re going to lose an hour.

STEP #3: SCHEDULE EVERYTHING IN STUDY PLAN

Your time chart should have helped you recognize and determine which days and what times will be the most beneficial for your studying. Take those dates and times and update them into your monthly calendar.

If your time chart shows that Wednesday and Friday from noon to two are your best studying sessions, then be sure you block those times off in your monthly calendar.

Writing it down in your calendar not only helps you remember it better but makes it seem more important, like a doctor’s appointment.

STEP #4: DEFINE STUDY GOALS IN STUDY PLAN

At the beginning of each week or at the beginning of each study session, determine why you need to study, what you need to study the most, what you need to improve on, and what objectives or goals you plan to achieve.

STEP #5: FOLLOW YOUR STUDY SCHEDULES IN STUDY PLAN

It may seem easy to miss out on one study session to go to the movies with your friends but making up the study time later in the week is going to cause you stress and anxiety.

Work hard to really stick to your time chart and study session calendar. If you skip once, you’re more likely to skip again.  Do your best not to get behind.

Why do you need a Study Plan?

The study plan is a great tool to help you succeed in your educational endeavors. It will aid in the organization of your schedules and make you feel accountable.

The Study plan will help to remind you of important due dates. Personalizing your study plan requires you to sit down and think about your time management skills.

It is the Study Plan that forces you to ask yourself questions such as, “Have I spent enough time on my studies lately?” or “Did I spend more time hanging out with friends than studying for my last exam?”

Therefore, being able to answer those questions will provide insight into your current time management skills. You may find that the hours you spend hanging out with friends or playing video games is three times as much as you spend on your studies.

Tips on Writing a Study Plan

Don’t overbook dates.

Figure out which days are light days and which days are filled to the max on your study plan . On days where your commitments are low, pack in extra hours of studying.

Vice versa, plan on losing a couple of hours of studying on the days that appointments are scheduled on or lots of errands have to run.  Be sure to look ahead and keep in mind any projects or exams that will take up a large amount of your time.

Personalize It

A personalized study plan will also help you become aware of how much time you need to put into studying to effectively learn and understand a subject.  All students are different, and some students learn much faster than others.

Students that learn at a slower pace oftentimes need more time to register learning objectives because their brains cannot process information as quickly as faster learners.

You may discover you need to study an extra 2 or 3 hours a night, for 3 nights a week, instead of studying for 45 minutes each night.

Keep Updating Your Plan

Prior to each study period, your study plan needs to be updated to outline specific goals, learning outcomes, objectives, and study materials specific to that study session.

Also, create a study plan that answers why you are studying, and what you need to improve on to achieve the learning outcomes you set.

Maximize Effectiveness

While you don’t want to skip scheduled sessions in the  Study plan , you also do not want to exhaust yourself in your studies.  Be reasonable and allow yourself sufficient study breaks in between sessions and during your sessions.

If further help is needed in your study sessions, consider hiring a tutor or studying with a friend. In fact, having a study partner creates discussions that facilitate the learning process.

Study Plan Sample and Study Plan Example can be download from the link below:

Download: Study plan Sample

137 thoughts on “Study Plan | How to write a Pro Study Plan”

Dear Mr. Waqas,

I did B.Sc in textile engineering and i hold CGPA 3.72 out of 4:00. Can i apply for china government scholarship? If i apply how much the chance that i will get scholarship?

You can apply for CSC scholarship. 100% chances with acceptance letter and 90% chances without acceptance.

Please i want know the deadline for 2019/2020 application and submission csc documents

yes you can, +8618222967410 (what”s aap+we chat)

any time i go csc web, i always get the message “Server maintenance in is in process please wait”, is there any other link?

Kindly check again, it is working now and you can now apply for CSC scholarship.

My cgpa is 3.139 done mechanical engg from uet..how many chances of winning fully funded scholarship

Dear Waqas can you share the sample study plan for PhD.

Hi respected sir, Sir I am a graduate student of BS Computer Science and applying for CSC, sir in CSC form study plane is require, sir if you have any samples about my field, please sir send me. Thanks Regards: Falakniaz

Do I need an agent to apply for a CSC scholarship? I live in Ghana. And would I be given a supervisor for my masters program?

No need to apply through agent for CSC Scholarship. Application procedure is very easy. kindly have a look at CSC Scholarship application process section of our website.

I just tried the link you left on this comment and it took me to a broken link. Could you please guide me in applying to the CSG Scholarship

i have got acceptance latter.what are the required documents and how can i apply .

Salam, I am currently applying for the Chinese government scholarship but having some difficulty writing a study plan. Must the study plan be nothing less than 800 words? Thank you

For a Master degree applicant for any scholarship it is advised to write a unique Study plan consisting of at least 800 words.

Do we need to write a study plan as well as a research plan for masters students? Thank you for your help.

what about undergraduate students? how many words do I have to write at least ?

How many words is the study plan?

Ideally a study plan must consist of at least 800 words for Master degree applicants and over 1200 words for PhD applicants.

for CSC: Undergraduate students- 200 Masters students- 800

please how can i write “A STUDY PLAN” for csc scholarship…what are the process and key point too write about …thanks

Study plan sample you can view here.

HI I NEED A STUDY PLAN FOR STATISTIC FACULTY IN MASTER DEGREE

Thank you for help.

Iam graduate of nurse i want to apply CSC scholarship

can i apply with a Higher National Diploma for Masters?

Dear Mr. Waqas! My question is when recommendation letter is to be attested by an associate professor, is it required to get letter stamped as well signed by the professor? I am asking this because some people say that stamp is not required. Please tell me about it.

My academic record is not particularly astounding, but its not bad either. My GPA was 3.47, to tell you the truth I was capable of achieving more but at the time I got my hands full as I were quite active at the student body. This is apparent during my final year when I retired from my position at the student body my grade immediately shot up to 3.95, I did perfect especially at my thesis I even won the highest grade title in my last semester. Now its been 2 years since my graduation, and I have been working at major governmental projects since then. My question is how can I make my study plan as good as the sample above considering I was not being a model academic student at that time?

how to get acceptance letter?

Just stopped by to see what was up and found this awesome lesson! What a cool form – I hope the triolet makes a comeback by shear force of dVerse poets. I took a stab at it and am looking forward to checking out some of the other triolets posted.Oh, and can I get a Mi#7ek821&;s Hard Lemonade? And some peanuts? Peace, Linda

Hello good day.. Thanks for study its so excellent.. Please am so confused with other study plan i saw online. A study plan is an organized schedule that students create that outlines study times and learning goals….please i have an interview tomorow i really dont know which i will be asked of

hello..i am applying for the japanese government Mext schoolarship and i am having difficulties in contacting professors.I cant find their emails

waqas muhammad what is your opinion about the scholarship in Japan..how this study plan is differ from china..

Hi . Can I apply for PhD in sociology on scholarship base

Sir, waqas . How we can write a good study plan to apply for scholarship as economics student in Mphill

helo waqas bro. I done Msc In Agriculture, Plz Help me writing a Reserach plan for phd for csc scholership

Found your article very helpful! Thank you soo much Mr waqas

Excellent forum for information sharing and i my self really inspired with the different format, study plan, motivation letter etc.

Hello sir AoA! What kind of documents should be ready before applying for csc???

hello brother i completed BS(IT) with 65% marks and have a lot of international certifications . chances to get csc scholarship ?

please is there a service charge?? do i have to pay some money as a visa application process fee?

sorry…do i have to pay money as a scholarship application process fee?

After writing the study plan do i also have to write motivation letter for PhD program? what are the major difference between the two, please?

Dear Mr. Waqas I did sociogy and i got 3,40 out of 4. Can i apply for China Scholarship ? If i apply how much the chance that i will get scholarship?

Dear Mr. Waqas

I did sociology and i got 3,40 out of 4. Can i apply for China Scholarship ? if apply how much the chance that i will get scholarship?

Greetings! My name is Ihsan Ullah and I just completed my bachelors degree in Electronics. I acquired 3.82 GPA out of 4.00 GPA. Now I wish to apply to china for masters and I am hoping if you could assist me in this regard as I don’t know about the procedure of how to apply to CSC scholarships. Your help in this regard will be highly appreciated, Thanks.

please dear would you mind me if you tell me how can I meet advisor for agricultural product processing and storage engineering in jiangsu university

Hi. What are the differences between a study plan and a research plan or are they the same?

Study plan is actually given by Master degree students and research proposal is actually a detailed version of your study plan which is asked by doctoral degree students to provide alongside their applications.

hello Mr. Yousaf, I want to ask that if I apply for Phd. program then I don’t need to submit study plan

how can one submit fee for registration in china also do we need to send original recommendation latter or just need to submit notarized copies

[email protected]

can u plz guide me that what should be written in proposed study plan ?

Muhammad me i have ssce certificate, so how can i write for study plan

Please, anytime I visited the CSC link to create an account, after entering my email and password, the response I did got is that the email and the password is not valid, please what can cause this?

Dear Waqas,

I have bachelor degree–B.Sc Engineering Technology in Electrical from UET Lahore, and i hold CGPA 3.35 out of 4:00. Can i apply for china government scholarship for MS Engineering Program? If i apply how much the chance that i will get scholarship?

i want to study for master but am having a diploma certificate,will i be accepted?

really i want to say you are so gentle that you answer the all questions one by one as they asked !!

The language of the study ( phd) is English or china

Please can you get admission for masters program without writing a study plan? Also I did Bachelor of Education in Accounting and got 3.1 out of 4.0 as CGPA. Can I get opportunity to study MBA in Finance in Chinese Government Scholarship.

Dear Brother, Is it necessary to fill out both university online registration form and CSC form. Secondly how can we guess that the very university required online registration too??

I am currently applying for CSC and need help on how to go about writing a study plan . Am applying for masters scholarship with a GPA of 3.59 and what are my chances of getting this scholarship base on academic merits?

am Gozah from Ghana currently working my thesis for MPhil in Mathematics (Financial engineering). i will be graduating in July, can I also apply for the CSC scholarship now. however, i have MBA certificate and what is the chance of winning the scholarship if I want to PhD in Financial Engineering and Mathematics.

should recommendation letter be written by only Professor, what about senior lecturer.

Please l want to find out if l can use diploma in marketing to apply csc schorlarship

Sir, Is it true that the “Chinese Govt scholarship under CSC ” only provide “going air ticket” and then the Candidate pays the return air ticket ? en-lighten me about the scholarship value/benefits

I am applying in Master Degree. WHAT is the basic need study plan or research proposal? Kindly Help me.

are these scholarship available now? and ending date is 5 March 2018?

I would love to apply for csc scholarship but am finding difficult in getting a school with my choice of study. Am interested in M.sc clinical psychology, child psychology, developmental psychology or early childhood studies. Please can you refer me to any of the Chinese school that offers this course. Thanks Blessing from Nigeria

I’m now tried to apply a PhD scholarship at Hungary. But the problem is writing a research proposal, I mean I don’t know the correct format and contents should be there as a proposal. In a limited number of words and pages how can I writes a short summery of research proposal?

Sir, I want to ask that, Japan govt is offering a teacher training scholarship program of 18 months through japan embassy. I am a teacher and I have specialty or Master in Math.I have Filled “Reach Feild” as Mathematics Education. I want a suggestion to fill “research plan” that may increased my chance of scholarship.Please guide me about that

M.Yousaf, I need research proposal or study plane about china pakistan cooperation on fruits and vegetables or agricultural practices. [email protected] or my whatssup is 03318006106 . kindly help. thank you regard Saeed Ahmed.

Is the study plan same as statement of purpose?

Dear, I did BS in Computer Science with B Grade having CGPA 3.02/4.00 in 2011 from Pakistan. Now I want to get Graduation leading to Phd. Scholarship from China. What you think that is there any chances for me to get Scholarship.

Assalamuaalikum. My name is Muhammad Farukh Tanveer. i want to apply for a china Government Scholarships. I have completed my Masters with a CGPA of 3.42/4. Now i am applying for a PHD in Electrical Engineering & Information and Communication Engineering. How much chance do i have to get a full CSC scholarship???

Sir my passport will be expire in end of September .do I need to make new or apply on this one for CSC .thanks

Could you plz guide me how to write study plan??

I have done my BE in Civil Engineering with 81.6% but degree will be awarded in end of march and most of the Chinese universities deadline to submit application is in march. So is there any alternate to complete my Application in CSC 2018.

Dear Waqas Sir. My Name Shakir Amjad I did B.Sc in Agriculture Mechanization and i hold CGPA 3.45 out of 4:00. Can i apply for china government scholarship? If i apply how much the chance that i will get scholarship? I get Acceptance letter For the same department

i need study plan for master can u help me

please reply me some as soon as posssible

plz help mi have no idea for study plan and i have done msc botany plz tell me about study plan for scholarship

online application form is not opening, i am trying from last 2 weeks

Asalam o alikum.

I want to do PhD in veterinary sciences under studentship/ scholarship, from any European country i.e Australia,Switzerland, UK etc. How i will get admission?I studied in institutes where English was the medium of instruction for all courses. However i did n,t appear in any English language examination i.e IELTS etc .

good evening ! i am going to apply for csc scholarship i a m from tunisian i would like to know my chances to get accepted is it easy if all my papers are correct and i have a good grades as well because i dont have an acceptance letter ! thanks in advance

Please can a get a sample research plan, Japan scholarship specifically Stated :Describe in detail and with specifics-particularly concerning the ultimate goals of your research at YNU. Your academic background and research methodology should be included”.

sir please tell me about best university in china which offer scholarship for master in engineering management in English.Thanks

What is the last date to apply for csc scholarship

Hi Muhammad Yousaf. Can you help. I must write study plany for csc scholarship. If you help i am very glad. Please help me)))

I am in a management student.I am complete my master’s degree from Bangladesh University. my result are CGPA 3.22 out of 4. can I apply again master’s degree from Chinese government scholarship..

please can i have your we chat ID?

dear bro i did pharm d and i want to study in china and i have no acceptance letter plz tell me thats how much chances is for me to get an admission

Hello. How to write a study plan undergraduate?

Hi.. for the csc scholarship do I need to write a study plan for undergraduate programme?

Hi.. do I need to write a study plan for undergraduate programme for the csc scholarship?

Please can i know the differences between the Shanghai Government Scholarship of class A and Class B type of scholarship.

please i need direction on how to apply for csc scholarship

I completed Pre-engineering in 2004. After that I started doing jobs. Now I am serving a Chinese company. I want to learn Chinese. Very basic things I have learnt from Chinese here. I want to be a professional Chinese interpreter. For this I am seeking one year scholarship only for Chinese in China. Is it possible that I will get chance to get scholarship in this scenario?

Hello I have received a letter of acceptance from a supervisor from Jaingsu university, on a condition of csc scholarship or JSU Scholarship. Even though i did not apply for the that course on the online application. Please what should i do about that. Kindly advise.

i have done my BS Physics degree with CGPA 3.1/4.0 now i want to get studentship for research in Germany, without ielts, my english is proficent for my studies, how can i get?

I am applying China AUN scholarship but the application registration stated audit. How can i log in and complete application online?

what is the difference between: Study plan and SOP Study plan and research plan when only ask to submit study plan , should a phd student require to submitt research proposal

is it a must that the study plan of undergraduate could be a minimum of 400 words

Hi iam abdul hanan done bsit with cgpa 2.48 can i aply for csc

Slam, i from pakistan. I have done M.A English language and literature from NUML university in 2017 with a CGPA of 3.34/4.00. I want to apply for Master degree in china. How much chance is for me? And how i can write a study plan? plz guide me.

Hi … thank you very much for your cooperation and your help.

i would kindly ask about the structure of the study plan

what does it consist of?

salut. s’il vous plaît j’ai fait une demande de bourse sur le site du SCC depuis Mars 2018 mais jusqu’à ce jour je n’ai eu aucune réponse.j’aimerais savoir quelle est la procédure habituelle après la demande et ce qui peut expliquer l’absence de réponse. Merci

Hi Mr. Yousaf could you please help me write my study plan for study permit. How do we start it for BBA

Login Link Plz Dear,

I am going to be 40 years in December 2018. Can I apply CSC or UNIST scholarship in upcoming year??

Salam Sir I complete my LLB degree from University of Swabi with 3.2 CGPA and now I want to study LLM from Chinese universities but the study plan so difficult for me I try my best many time but I failed.

Dear Waqas, I earned my Master degree in Chemical Engineering from UET Lahore this year,now i want to do P.hd from china kindly guide me regarding research proposal.

Dear sir, you said in the above comment that study plan is for master and research proposal is for PhD student. So PhD student just need to submit the research proposal.? or study plan too?

Sir how can I apply for phd mathematics can you help me right now I m in china and I want fully funded scholarship

AoA Sir, I am a law graduate and want to get admission in llm with full fledged scholarship in foreign countries like,china Australia,Taiwan etc.Therefore humbly request you be informed procedure for admission and also guide me in thiz regard.

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Please what are the chances for a person with a GPA of 3.24 out of 4.00 win the CSC scholarship? Thank you

I have a bachelor of science degree in statistics with first class honored at kwame nkrumah university of science and technology , ghana. can I apply for master degree admission with scholarship in economics. If so what is my chance of getting scholarship?

Thank you Muhammad Yousaf for your assistance, I have a master’s degree in civil engineering (structural option) and so far I have published one paper, can I apply for a PhD scholarship with only one paper published?

Sir I really confused how to apply Chinese governmental scholarship I need to guid me step by step please thanks

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Hi, I am a female from Islamabad, need your help for PhD scholarship in China, Kindly guide. Best Regards

Hey. I complete my BBA Hons in finance now I want o to apply for CSC scholarship so I complete all the requirements but can you manage a study plan for me I will mail you all of the requirements please reply me I will wait for your response.

i’ve done my graduation from Virtual University Of Pakistan. Can I apply for CSC Scholarship?

Dear, Salam. I did my MS in Management Sciences major in Project Management. I have applied on the CSC portal in the previous session but there is no response from that side. whilst, showing “In Progress” Status on the portal. what should I do now? let me guide plz…………….

Sir kindly send me study plan for master program in economics My email account is saleem [email protected]

Hello, Is it ok if I add any reference in my study plan? Best Regards, Md Shah Neowaz

i need to apply for a china i need a study plan for pharmacology

if i want to get chinese Govermint Scholarship ( Undergrduted ) i have to write study or research plan or no ?

Hi! how can I prepare a study plan, please help me with it?

Sir how can I apply to the school address eg Nanjing University

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Hi and my regards, sir I have just filled the csc scholarship application, but now don’t know how to upload the University which i prefer.

This web help me a lot to understand how to write a study plan thank u soo much

It was a useful information about a study plane I have ever seen. But what was state in the information it did not considered in the sample at the end.

How do I apply for the Chinese Undergraduate scholarship

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They're also a good warm-up for traditional forms of academic publication, such as a journal article.

Academic essays usually follow an established organisational structure that helps the writer to express their ideas clearly and the reader to follow the thread of their argument.

An essay's structure is guided by its content and argument so every essay question will pose unique structural challenges.

301 Recommends: Glossary of Instruction Words

Our Essay Structure and Planning workshop will outline how to analyse your essay question, discuss approaches logically structure all your ideas, help you make your introductions and conclusions more effective, and teach how to link your ideas and ensure all essay content flows logically from the introduction. The Putting it into Practise workshop  

Have a look at our  Glossary of Essay Instruction Words (PDF, 100KB) , or watch this short  Study Skills Hacks video  on identifying the tasks in a question to help you identify what is required.

Planning stages

Essay writing is a process with many stages, from topic selection, planning and reading around, through to drafting, revising and proofreading.

Breaking the task down and creating a clear plan with milestones and intermediate deadlines will allow you to focus attention more fully on the writing process itself when you put your plan into action either as part of an assignment or an exam.

1. Understand the question

• Is the question open-ended or closed? If it is open-ended you will need to narrow it down. Explain how and why you have decided to limit it in the introduction to your essay, so the reader knows you appreciate the wider issues, but that you can also be selective.
• If it is a closed question, your answer must refer to and stay within the limits of the question (ie specific dates, texts, or countries).
• What can you infer from the title about the structure of the essay?

2. Brainstorm for ideas

• What you know about the topic – from lectures, reading etc
• What you don't know about the topic, but need to find out to answer the question
• Possible responses or answers to the question – any ideas about your conclusion.
• Consider using a mind map to organise your thoughts…

3. Make a plan

• Planning your essay makes it more likely that you have a coherent argument
• It enables you to work out a logical structure and an endpoint for your argument before you start writing
• It means you don't have to do this type of complex thinking at the same time as trying to find the right words to express your ideas
• It helps you to commit yourself to sticking to the point!

The Hourglass essay

If you're stuck on an overall structure for your essay, try this simple model for organising a typical academic essay. An hourglass essay introduces a broad area, before narrowing the focus towards the specific question that you are answering. It finishes by placing that narrow area back into a wider context. 

Introduction: the funnel of the hourglass

Set the scene and lead your reader into your essay by introducing the broad area of interest and then narrowing towards your specific focus:

• Start broad with a hook to catch the reader's attention
• Provide some context for the hook. What does your project add to it?
• Focus on the narrow area of your essay: can you summarise it in a single sentence mission statement?

Body: the stem of the hourglass

The body of your essay should be as narrow and focused as possible. Body paragraphs will take one sub-topic at a time and provide a logical flow of ideas for your reader:

• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to tell your reader what it will cover
• Fill your paragraph with a range of supporting evidence and examples
• Finish your paragraph with a final wrapping-up sentence to summarise and/or link ahead

Conclusion: the base of the hourglass

Your chance to reinforce your key messages and go out with a bang:

• Revisit your mission statement: how have you addressed it?
• Summarise the main points of your argument or findings
• Finish with a broader scope, explaining how your topic might inform future research or practice, or where gaps remain

301 Recommends: Essay Planning Template

Use this template (google doc) to plan a structure for your essay, paying particular attention to the ways in which you have broken down the topic into sub-themes for your body paragraphs. 

Top tips and resources

• Start planning early, leave your plan for a couple of days, and then come back to it. This may give you a fresh perspective.
• It is often easiest to write the introduction last, but when you are planning your essay structure make sure you have your mission statement.
• A good plan will make it much easier to write a good essay. Invest the time in making a plan that works.
• Check what your tutor wants, but it is often best to focus on one element in great detail, rather than discuss several aspects superficially.
• Make sure you allow time to proofread your work before submission!

Internal resources

• Library Research and Critical Thinking - Referencing
• English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC)– Language Resources  

External resources

• Royal Literary Fund–  Writing Essays
• University of Reading–  Planning and structuring your essay
• Cottrell, S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
• Bailey, S (2003) Academic Writing: A Practical Guide for Students. Routledge
• Reading University–  Study Resources
• University of Manchester–  Academic Phrasebank

Related information

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Scientific writing and lab reports

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

• Writing essays in science subjects
• Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
• Writing extended essays and dissertations
• Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

• Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions. 

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principle tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

• Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
• References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline. 

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

• Approaching different types of essay questions  
• Structuring your essay  
• Writing an introduction  
• Making use of evidence in your essay writing  
• Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of  extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

• The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
• Explanation of the focus of your work.
• Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
• List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources. 

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work . 

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How to Create a College Study Plan: 23 Smart Tips

Are you wondering how to study in college? Are you unsure how to create a study plan that will let you achieve all your goals?

A college study plan helps you look ahead so that you can submit assignments, complete projects, and finish papers on time—so you succeed in college!

College is full of many challenges, and learning how to study more effectively is one of them. Having a structured study plan will help you achieve your academic goals.

You can create a personalized study plan that works for you. Whether you struggle with a long reading list or with revising complex papers, you can create a unique study plan that will help you succeed. 

Managing your courses, social life, and campus activities in college is much different than going to high school. You may have more free time in college, but you also have a lot of commitments.

The key to creating a study plan that works for you is scheduling time for everything you need to do in college. This blog post will help you learn how to study in college.

1. Assess Your Goals

Before you can create a study plan, think about your learning goals and academic priorities for the semester.

Think about what you want to achieve in your courses.

Consider short-term goals like acing a test, completing a project, and getting good grades.

Also think about long-term goals like completing the courses you need for your major and graduating in four years.

Of course, college isn’t just about your academic performance. There’s socializing, work, clubs, committees, and life.

List all of your commitments so you can see where your time goes and how you can fit in enough quality study time.

2. Choose a calendar or planner that works for you

As you start to think about how you will find time for all your school work and activities, you’ll need a good planner to help you keep track of your schedule.

Do you want a calendar that breaks down each day into half-hour blocks? Or is a basic square per day sufficient for you to note what you need to do when.

Many students find it helpful to use a calendar that offers a monthly, weekly, and daily view so that assignments that seem far away don’t sneak up on you. 

You can start with a study planner that includes a weekly planner spread, as well as pages of daily planners. Then you can see how much detail you need to include in your study timetable.

You can also use an online calendar, an app, or whatever works best for you.

Here’s a great list of planners for college students with ADHD that are actually great for all college students.

3. create a study plan By Planning for the Semester

College is basically guaranteed information overload. One of the best study strategies is to break all your courses down into manageable chunks.

Look carefully at the syllabus for each class you’re taking this semester.

On your calendar or planner, write down each lecture and lab for every class.

If you have any online classes, note the class times in your planner.

Also note the times for office hours with your professor, tutoring sessions, and anything else that you need to attend to better understand the material.

Writing down every required assignment, exams, and due dates for papers, as well as optional events like office hours and tutoring, will help you plan for the semester.

This is a key step in having an organized schedule!

4. Plan Backwards

After you write down each class assignment, plan for all the steps that go into completing each assignment. 

Work backwards to decide what you need to do when, in order to turn in the assignment on time or be ready for your test.

This way of creating a study plan helps you break each assignment into smaller achievable chunks. Checking off each task will keep you on track to meet your overall goals.

For example:

         History of Modern France Mid-term Paper , due October 15

            Study plan:

            October 1: Brainstorm topics

            October 2: Preliminary research                    

            October 3-5: Finalize topic and continue research

            October 6: Draft an outline

            October 8-10: Begin writing 

            October 11: Finish first draft

            October 12-13: Make revisions and edits

            October 14: Proofread and submit

Planning backwards may feel like a long, tedious process, but this will prevent an assignment from sneaking up on you, leaving you stressed out, with not enough time to complete it.

Planning for your college workload like this will also make you aware early in the semester if you have two (or more) big projects due at the same time, so you can adjust your schedule. 

The key to time management is knowing what to do when , so breaking down each paper, exam, or assignment will help you stay on top of studying when life gets hectic.

Be sure to create a study map with assignments and due dates for each class.

5. Plan enough time for each subject

Be sure to allow time each week for reading assignments, writing papers, doing homework, or studying for exams.

You can expect to spend three to five hours a week (and maybe more!) studying and preparing for each subject. 

One way to organize all those assignments and due dates is to create a folder for each class with a detailed weekly study schedule or a simple list of things you have to do each day.

6. Refresh your Schedule Weekly

At the beginning of each week, update your schedule for the week.

Include anything you didn’t get to last week, check off things you finished early, and schedule extra time where you’ll need it.

Note if you have an upcoming exam or any last minute events. Add in work shifts, exercise classes, and time with friends.

Looking at your weekly schedule at the beginning of each week will help keep you on task and accountable.

Write out a daily schedule for each day of the week. Include each hour of class time, your work time, extracurricular activities, and time for studying.

Remember, your study plan isn’t set in stone. If something’s not working, don’t be afraid to adjust your schedule, change your goals, or try different study techniques .

You might need to update your study schedule on a daily basis. You’ll almost certainly have to account for unexpected events during the semester.

College is all about learning, after all, and that includes learning how you study best.

7. Consider what commitments (besides studying) you have

Balance is essential! Make sure you allocate the right amount of time to classes, study, friends, and, of course, some ‘me-time’. College isn’t just about grades; it’s about life experiences too.

You might need to plan time for a job, fun with friends, commuting, other specific activities, or appointments (doctor visits, haircuts, etc.).

You’ll have a lot of important things to include in your schedule. Write it all down in your planner!

8. Use Apps and Tech to Manage Your Time

The amount of material you have to learn in college over the course of a semester can be staggering.  Add to that the exams, quizzes, papers—it can be overwhelming!

However, use calendar reminders, alarms, and productivity apps to help you stay on track.

Set reminders for when you should start your next study session or take study breaks.

If social media is too much of a distraction, you can use an app to limit your social media time, delete social media apps from your phone, or set your phone to “do not disturb” when you study.

9. Use the Pomodoro Technique 🍅

The Pomodoro Technique is when you set a timer and work for twenty-five minutes, then take a five-minute break. It’s a game changer for staying focused during study sessions.

Pomodoro is Italian for tomato. 🍅

Here’s how it works:

• Decide what you’re going to work on.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes. Focus on a single task until the timer rings.
• Draw a little pomodoro.
• Enjoy a five-minute break.
• Then set a timer for twenty-five more minutes and repeat.
• After four pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break.

The Pomodoro Technique helps you focus by asking you to block out all distractions for 25 minutes.

This study technique makes the time spent studying go by more quickly and helps you break down complex projects. The short break after each 25-minute session, plus the longer breaks, gives your mind a chance to rest.

10. Don’t procrastinate

Procrastination is sneaky! It steals your study time and leaves you with regret.

Use the time management techniques above and hold yourself accountable to your weekly schedule.

Keep your goals front and center to help you avoid distractions.

You might think you have so much time to study for upcoming tests or write end-of-term papers, but if you don’t set aside dedicated time to get the work done, the time will slip away before you know it.

11. Optimize your study space

Create a dedicated study area in your dorm room, with a great study aesthetic. Having an area that is conducive to studying will help you want to be there and stay focused.

Basically, you want create a study oasis that is quiet, comfy, and helps you focus. Be sure you have good lighting, a comfortable chair, and a tidy desk.

If you work well with background noise, play a podcast or some music. If you like quiet, minimize all sounds or consider running a white noise machine to drown out any dorm noises you can’t control. 

For some college students, the best place to study might be the library instead of their dorm or apartment. Others might prefer the atmosphere of a coffee shop or the student center.

The main thing is finding a good place to study and prep for final exams that works for you!

12. Find study partners

Make friends with the people in your classes. Schedule time to meet at least once a week during the semester and more before exams.  

Talking through difficult problems and concepts with a study partner is a great way to reinforce your knowledge or get new insight into a topic.

In study groups, you can summarize what you’ve learned, ask each other questions, and explain concepts to each other.

Studying with a friend will give you a chance to learn from that classmate and let you explain the things you know. This active learning will help you remember concepts better.

13. Make studying a habit

Study at the same time and in the same place so studying becomes part of your regular routine.

Also, get in the habit of using free half hours or even hours as study time, instead of just scrolling your socials. Successful study sessions can happen in little bits of free time.

Studying in small increments of time won’t feel overwhelming, and it will free up larger blocks of time for study sessions with friends or fun activities.

Put a study schedule in your calendar and make study plans part of your daily routine.

Once you have a regular study routine in place, you’ll find it easier to keep going and accomplish everything you need to do.

14. Stay Organized

Keep your study materials and your study space organized and tidy.

Be sure your notes, textbooks, lecture notes, or digital files are accessible and in order.

Being able to find the information you need will save you from wasting time or getting stressed when you have to take your precious study time to find lost materials.

15. Use digital Organization tools

Use apps for note-taking and task management. Use cloud storage so your files will be available from any device whenever you need them.

16. Review regularly

Go over your notes from class at the end of each day, or even right after class, while the information from class is still fresh in your mind.  A quick review session can be an effective way to retain information.

If you’ve already forgotten what you meant when you wrote something down, it will be easier to figure it out by asking the professor or a classmate about it the next day, rather than realizing weeks later, that you don’t understand your notes.

By reviewing your notes from lectures, readings, or study sessions regularly, you will retain the information better than if you try to do a cram session before exams. 

17. Go to class

Obviously, it’s a lot easier to learn in class if you attend class.

If you’re having a difficult time focusing in class, figure out what it takes to get yourself to pay attention in class.

Do you need to sit up front? Have a coffee during class? Have something to fidget with?

Being able to focus in class is essential to processing and understanding the material. 

18. Maximize your Resources

Use all your resources, including course material, textbooks, online modules, lecture notes, and study guides. If you still don’t understand, do your own research at the library or on the internet.

Sometimes you need to get information from different resources to help you understand it.

19. Get help

If you’re struggling, seek help!

Go to your professors’ office hours, seek out tutoring, talk to your academic advisor, and ask the TA all your questions.

Get help if:

• You don’t understand the content
• You aren’t sure what to study
• It’s unclear what topics will be on the test
• You don’t know what the professor expects
• You have any other questions about the material

Getting extra instruction can be the best way to finally understand difficult subject matter.

20. Self-Care

The not-so-secret secret to college survival is managing stress and taking care of yourself. Self-care is essential to managing college life and succeeding at your classes.

• Get plenty of rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep a night. Take time to relax.
• Make time to exercise. Take a gym class, get in a workout, or go for a run. Just move your body.
• Eat healthy food. Yes, even some vegetables. A healthy diet will make you feel better.
• Try stress management techniques like deep breathing and meditation.

Take care of yourself and your studying will be much more effective. 

21. Understand how you learn best

Think about your learning style and figure out how you learn best.

Are you a visual learner who loves charts and diagrams, an auditory learner who absorbs info through lectures, or a more hands-on learner who needs to make models?

Tailor your study habits so that you’re studying in a way that helps you retain the information you’re studying. Everyone has different learning styles, so the best study plan for you will match your style of learning.

The more you understand about how you learn the best, the more you’ll be able to study successfully and remember all the information you’re being taught!

22. Make a study plan for exams

You know exams are coming at the end of every semester. Use the good study habits you developed over the semester to create a timetable for study for exams.

Allow time to review material from earlier in the semester, catch up on readings you missed, and study any new material.

Lots of students find it helpful to calculate what grade they need on their final to know how much they need to study to achieve their goal grade.

23. Reward yourself

Give yourself a reward when you meet your study goals, get a great final grade, or just pass a particularly difficult class!

Go have fun with friends, treat yourself to a fancy coffee drink and a brownie, or watch a movie with your roommate.

Even if you don’t meet your study goals, be easy on yourself. Regroup and make a new plan for the next day. College is supposed to be fun—not just hard work!

Final Thoughts on Creating a Study Plan for College

Being organized and having an effective study plan in place will take away a lot of the stress of studying.

Setting goals, learning time management skills, using technology for your benefit, staying organized, and monitoring your progress will help you level up your study skills.

Once you have a study schedule and good study habits in place, you’ll feel much better about everything you have to do for your college classes!

The tips and strategies in this article will help you create an effective study plan for your college classes, including math, history, the sciences, and more. These study strategies will and ultimately help you with your goal of earning a college education.

Graduate of Brown University, higher ed professional, and mom of three. Sharing everything I’ve learned about college with you.

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One Comment

Great advice for parents too!

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How to plan an essay: Essay Planning

• What's in this guide
• Essay Planning
• Additional resources

How to plan an essay

Essay planning is an important step in academic essay writing.

Proper planning helps you write your essay faster, and focus more on the exact question.  As you draft and write your essay, record any changes on the plan as well as in the essay itself, so they develop side by side.

One way to start planning an essay is with a ‘box plan’.

First, decide how many stages you want in your argument – how many important points do you want to make? Then, divide a box into an introduction + one paragraph for each stage + a conclusion.

Next, figure out how many words per paragraph you'll need.

Usually, the introduction and conclusion are each about 10% of the word count. This leaves about 80% of the word count for the body - for your real argument. Find how many words that is, and divide it by the number of body paragraphs you want. That tells you about how many words each paragraph can have.

Remember, each body paragraph discusses one main point, so make sure each paragraph's long enough to discuss the point properly (flexible, but usually at least 150 words).

For example, say the assignment is

Fill in the table as follows:

Next, record each paragraph's main argument, as either a heading or  topic sentence (a sentence to start that paragraph, to immediately make its point clear).

Finally, use dot points to list useful information or ideas from your research notes for each paragraph. Remember to include references so you can connect each point to your reading.

The other useful document for essay planning is the marking rubric .

This indicates what the lecturer is looking for, and helps you make sure all the necessary elements are there.

Pathways and Academic Learning Support

• << Previous: What's in this guide
• Next: Additional resources >>
• Last Updated: Feb 15, 2024 1:23 PM
• URL: https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/essay_planning

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Five-Day Study Plan

Don’t cram, use a five-day study plan.

• Figure out what you need to know in (“prepare”).
• Make sure you know it (“review”).
• Start in advance & switch things up.

1. Preparing study material for an exam is an active process. This is where you identify, organize, and consolidate your material. You want to end up with a study guide, flash cards, quizlets, concept maps, practice test questions that you made up, etc. (Don’t just passively re-write your notes or re-read a chapter–instead make something new.) Staring this five days before your exam helps solidify the material, plus it gives you time to identify what you still don’t understand so you can get your questions answered.

2. Reviewing the material you prepared should also be active-this is where you figure out how much you actually know and what you still need to work on. Try “blank page testing,” quizzing yourself or a friend, and/or taking practice exams.

Some Examples of Preparation and Review Strategies

3. Switch up preparation and review People learn faster and perform better if they work in brief blocks of time spread out over longer periods of time, rather than in a few lengthy “cram” sessions. For example:

• You will perform better on an exam if you spend one hour studying each day for 20 days than if you spend 10 hours studying each day for two days before the test.
• It is easier to learn to shoot a 3-pointer better if you practice a little bit each day for a month rather than have one marathon session in an afternoon.
• You will learn the tuba best if you practice a little each day (though your roommate may disagree about anything regarding you learning the tuba–fair enough).

Put that principle to work by mixing up preparation and review. Don’t do all of your preparation, then stop that and do all of your review. Mix them up to learn best! (Use this principle to your advantage when you need to prepare for multiple exams/projects simultaneously–it can be a great silver lining in those stressful times to know that going back and forth to work on multiple subjects helps you learn each one better.)How to Make a Five-Day Study Plan

• Break the material on the exam into chunks or groups of material. (By chapter? Topic? Lecture? You decide what makes sense depending on your class.) For the example below, we will use 4 chunks or groups of material (A, B, C, and D). For example, Chunk A might be chapters 1-2, Chunk B is chapter 3, Chunk C is chapters 4-5, and Chunk D is chapter 6.
• Plan to spend about 2 hours studying on each of the five days.
• Work with the material in 2 ways: preparation and review.
• Decide what preparation and review strategies will work best for you, and include those on your five-day study plan chart. Click here for a downloadable word document of a Five-Day Study Plan .

Sample Five-Day Study Plan ChartClick here for a downloadable word document of   A Five-Day Study Plan .You will have to get creative with your plan for those times when you have two or three prelims or other big assignments in the same week. During the five days you are studying for your exam be kind to your future self and don’t neglect your other courses! Would you like to learn more?

• Memory: Why cramming for tests often fails
• Why Cramming Doesn’t Work
• Back to School: Cramming Doesn’t Work in the Long Term
• The Importance of Having a Study Plan
• 5 Reasons Personalized Study Plans are Effective

Up Next: What do you do with practice exams?

References:

Blerkom, D. L. (2012). Orientation to college learning (7 edition). Boston: Engage

Blerkom, D. L. and Mulcahy-Ernt, P. I. (2004). College reading and study strategies. Boston: Cengage.

Texas A&M University Academic Success Center (n.d.).  5 day study plan . https://asc.tamu.edu/study-learning-handouts/5-day-study-plan

Essay plans

An essay plan is a way to identify, select, and order the points you want to make in your essay. It helps you to work out your argument and your structure before writing, which should make the writing process more efficient and focussed. Sometimes essay plans are set as formative assignments so tutors can provide feedback before you write your full essay. 

Scroll down for our recommended strategies and resources. 

Enough detail for feedback

If you have an essay plan as an assignment, the main purpose is to give your lecturer enough information about your structure and main points so they can give you useful feedback. Follow any guidance you have been given, but usually an essay plan doesn’t have to be in full sentences; an outline structure of main points in a bullet point list, maybe with some further details of the evidence you will use or explanation under each point, is often enough. See these guides on how to do simple outline plans for an essay:

How to plan an essay (University of Newcastle)

Structuring the essay (Monash University)

Different ways of planning

Group similar ideas.

The aim of planning is to put down all your ideas and then to sort through them and order them. Look at where the ideas group together to see if any common themes start emerging, as these might form the paragraphs in your essay. See the video below for an example of how to group and order ideas in a plan.

Planning: General structure [video] (University of York)

Changes are normal - reverse outline

We rarely follow our essay plans exactly because our ideas develop as we write. If you don’t keep to your plan, it isn’t a sign of failure or a sign that planning doesn’t work. However, you may need to reflect on your planning process - are you over-planning and it takes too much time, or are your plans too vague and more detail would help? If you have strayed from your plan, a good strategy is to check the structure of your essay afterwards to make sure it all matches up. See the guide below on how to do a reverse outline as a useful part of your redrafting process.

Reverse outlines (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

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7 Steps for Writing an Essay Plan

Have you ever started writing an essay then realized you have run out of ideas to talk about?

This can make you feel deflated and you start to hate your essay!

The best way to avoid this mid-essay disaster is to plan ahead: you need to write an Essay Plan!

Essay planning is one of the most important skills I teach my students. When I have one-to-one tutorials with my students, I always send them off with an essay plan and clear goals about what to write.

Essay Planning isn’t as dull as you think. In fact, it really does only take a short amount of time and can make you feel oh so relieved that you know what you’re doing!

Here’s my 7-Step method that I encourage you to use for your next essay:

The 7-Step Guide on How to write an Essay Plan

• Figure out your Essay Topic (5 minutes)
• Gather your Sources and take Quick Notes (20 minutes)
• Brainstorm using a Mind-Map (10 minutes)
• Arrange your Topics (2 minutes)
• Write your topic Sentences (5 minutes)
• Write a No-Pressure Draft in 3 Hours (3 hours)
• Edit your Draft Once every Few Days until Submission (30 minutes)

I’ve been using this 7-Step essay planning strategy since I was in my undergraduate degree. Now, I’ve completed a PhD and written over 20 academic journal articles and dozens of blog posts using this method – and it still works!

Let’s go through my 7 steps for how to write an essay plan.

Prefer to Watch than Read? Here’s our video on writing an Essay Plan.

how to write an essay plan

1. figure out your essay topic. here’s how..

Where did your teacher provide you with your assessment details?

Find it. This is where you begin.

Now, far, far, far too many students end up writing essays that aren’t relevant to the essay question given to you by your teacher. So print out your essay question and any other advice or guidelines provided by your teacher.

Here’s some things that your assessment details page might include:

• The essay question;
• The marking criteria;
• Suggested sources to read;
• Some background information on the topic

The essay question is really important. Once you’ve printed it I want you to do one thing:

Highlight the key phrases in the essay question.

Here’s some essay questions and the key phrases you’d want to highlight:

This strategy helps you to hone in on exactly what you want to talk about. These are the key phrases you’re going to use frequently in your writing and use when you look for sources to cite in your essay!

The other top thing to look at is the marking criteria. Some teachers don’t provide this, but if they do then make sure you pay attention to the marking criteria !

Here’s an example of a marking criteria sheet:

Sample Essay Topic: Is Climate Change the Greatest Moral Challenge of our Generation?

Now, if you have a marking criteria you really need to pay attention to this. You have to make sure you’ve ticked off all the key criteria that you will be marked on. For the example above, your essay is going to have to make sure it:

• Takes a position about whether climate change is a serious challenge for human kind;
• Discusses multiple different people’s views on the topic;
• Explores examples and case studies (‘practical situations’);
• Uses referencing to back up your points.

The reason you need to be really careful to pay attention to this marking criteria is because it is your cheat sheet: it tells you what to talk about!

Step 1 only takes you five minutes and helps you to clearly clarify what you’re going to be talking about! Now your mind is tuned in and you can start doing some preliminary research.

2. Gather your Sources and take Quick Notes. Here’s how.

Now that you know what your focus is, you can start finding some information to discuss. You don’t want to just write things from the top of your head. If you want top marks, you want some deep, detailed and specific pieces of information.

Fortunately, your teacher has probably made this easy for you.

The top source for finding information will be the resources your teacher provided. These resources were hand picked by your teacher because they believed these were the best sources available our there on the topic. Here are the most common resources teachers provide:

• Lecture Slides;
• Assigned Readings.

The lecture slides are one of the best resources for you to access. Lecture slides are usually provided online for you. Download them, save them on your computer, and dig them up when it’s time to write the essay plan.

Find the lecture slides most relevant to your topic. To take the example of our climate change essay, maybe climate change is only discussed in three of the weeks in your course. Those are the three weeks’ lecture slides you want to hone-in on.

Flick through those lecture slides and take quick notes on a piece of paper – what are the most important topics and statistics that are relevant to your essay question?

Now, move on to the assigned readings . Your teacher will have selected some readings for you to do for homework through the semester. They may be eBooks, Textbooks or Journal Articles.

These assigned readings were assigned for a reason: because they have very important information to read ! Scan through them and see if there’s any more points you can add to your list of statistics and key ideas to discuss.

Next, try to find a few more sources using Google Scholar. This is a great resource for finding more academic articles that you can read to find even more details and ideas to add to your essay.

Here’s my notes that I researched for the essay question “Is Climate Change the Greatest Moral Challenge of our Generation?” As you can see, it doesn’t have to be beautiful #Studygram notes! It’s just rough notes to get all the important information down:

Once you’ve read the assigned lecture slides and readings, you should have a good preliminary list of ideas, topics, statistics and even quotes that you can use in step 3.

3. Brainstorm using a Mind-Map. Here’s how.

Do your initial notes look a little disorganized?

That’s okay. The point of Step 2 was to gather information. Now it’s time to start sorting these ideas in your mind.

The best way to organize thoughts is to create a Mind-Map. Here’s how Mind-Maps often look:

For your essay plan Mind-Map, write the essay question in the middle of the page and draw a circle around it.

Then, select the biggest and most important key ideas that you think are worth discussing in the essay. To decide on these, you might want to look back at the notes you took in Step 2.

Each key idea will take up around about 200 – 350 words (1 to 2 sentences).

Here’s a rough guide for how many key ideas you’ll want depending on your essay length:

• 1000-word essay: 3 to 4 key ideas
• 1500-word essay: 5 to 7 key ideas
• 2000-word essay: 6 to 8 key ideas
• 3000-word essay: 9 to 12 key ideas

Once you’ve selected your key ideas you can list them in a circle around the essay question, just like this:

Last, we need to add detail and depth to each key idea. So, draw more lines out from each key ideas and list:

• Two sources that you will cite for each key idea;
• A statistic or example that you will provide for each key idea;
• Any additional interesting facts for each key idea

Here’s how it might look once you’re done:

4. Arrange your Topics. Here’s how.

You’re well and truly on your way to getting your essay down on paper now.

There’s one last thing to do before you start getting words down on the manuscript that you will submit. You need to arrange your topics to decide which to write first, second, third, fourth, and last!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start and end with your strongest points;
• Ensure the points logically flow.

To ensure your points logically flow, think about how you’re going to transition from one idea to the next . Does one key point need to be made first so that the other ones make sense?

Do two key points seem to fit next to one another? If so, make sure you list them side-by-side.

Have a play around with the order you want to discuss the ideas until you’re comfortable. Then, list them in order. Here’s my order for my Climate Change essay:

Each of these key ideas is going to turn into a paragraph or two (probably two) in the essay.

5. Write your topic Sentences in just 5 minutes. Here’s how.

All good essays have clear paragraphs that start with a topic sentence . To turn these brainstormed key points into an essay, you need to get that list you wrote in Step 5 and turn each point into a topic sentence for a paragraph.

It’s important that the first sentence of each paragraph clearly states the paragraph’s topic. Your marker is going to want to know exactly what your paragraph is about immediately. You don’t want your marker to wait until the 3 rd , 4 th or 5 th line of a paragraph before they figure out what you’re talking about in the paragraph.

So, you need to state what your key idea is in the first sentence of the paragraph.

Let’s have a go at turning each of our key ideas into a topic sentence:

6. Write a No-Pressure Essay Draft in just 3 Hours. Here’s how.

Okay, now the rubber hits the road. Let’s get writing!

When you write your first draft, don’t put pressure on yourself. Remind yourself that this is the first of several attempts at creating a great essay, so it doesn’t need to be perfect right away. The important thing is that you get words down on paper.

To write the draft, have a go at adding to each of your topic sentences to turn them into full paragraphs. Follow the information you wrote down in your notes and Mind-Map to get some great details down on paper.

Forget about the introduction and conclusion for now. You can write them last.

Let’s have a go at one together. I’m going to choose the paragraph on my key idea “Is climate change caused by humans?”

I’ve already got my first sentence and my brainstormed ideas. Let’s build on them to write a draft paragraph:

• “Most scientists believe climate change is caused by humans. In fact, according to the IPCC, over 98% of climate change scientists accept the scientific data that climate change is caused by humans (IPCC, 2018). This figure is very high, signalling overwhelming expert consensus. This consensus holds that the emission of carbon from burning of fossil fuels in the 20 th Century is trapping heat into the atmosphere. However, a minority of dissenting scientists continue to claim that this carbon build-up is mostly the fault of natural forces such as volcanoes which emit enormous amounts of carbon into the atmosphere (Bier, 2013).”

Your turn – have a go at your own draft paragraphs based on your Mind-Map for your essay topic! If you hit a rut or have some trouble, don’t forget to check out our article on how to write perfect paragraphs .

Once you’ve written all your paragraphs, make sure you write an introduction and conclusion .

Gone over the word count? Check out our article on how to reduce your word count.

7. Edit your Draft Once every Few Days until Submission. Check out this simple approach:

Okay, hopefully after your three hour essay drafting session you’ve got all your words down on paper. Congratulations!

However, we’re not done yet.

The best students finish their drafts early on so they have a good three or four weeks to come back and re-read their draft and edit it every few days.

When coming back to edit your draft , here’s a few things to look out for:

• Make sure all the paragraph and sentence structure makes sense. Feel free to change words around until things sound right. You might find that the first time you edit something it sounds great, but next time you realize it’s not as good as you thought. That’s why we do multiple rounds of edits over the course of a few weeks;
• Check for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors;
• Print out your draft and read it on paper. You notice more mistakes when you read a printed-out version;
• Work on adding any more details and academic sources from online sources like Google Scholar to increase your chance of getting a top grade. Here’s our ultimate guide on finding scholarly sources online – it might be helpful for this step!

Before you go – Here’s the Actionable Essay Plan Tips Summed up for you

Phew! That essay was tough. But with this essay plan, you can get through any essay and do a stellar job! Essay planning is a great way to ensure your essays make sense, have a clear and compelling argument, and don’t go off-topic.

I never write an essay without one.

To sum up, here are the 7 steps to essay planning one more time:

The 7-Step Guide for How to Write an Essay Plan

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Animism Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 10 Magical Thinking Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?

1 thought on “7 Steps for Writing an Essay Plan”

Nice fun and concise approach to essays, thank you

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How To Write a Study Plan

Find out the possible steps to create a scholarship-winning study plan

Without knowing about how to write study plan or research plan, getting a fully funded scholarship is not easy. 

If you are planning to study abroad for undergraduate, master’s or postgraduate studies, an effective study plan is required to get selected.  

But writing a killer study plan for scholarships does not seem easy. In this blog, we are going to explain to you all the significant points to write a study plan.  

So, let’s get straight into writing an effective study plan for scholarships!   

How to Write a Study Plan for Scholarships   

1. Why Study Plan is Important for International Scholarships? 

2. How to write a study plan

3. Mistakes to Avoid in a Study Plan

4. Important Questions while writing a Study Plan

5. Final Thoughts

If you want to study in the USA with a scholarship, here is the guide for Yale University Scholarship 

1. Why Study Plan is Important for International Scholarships?   

A Study plan is a necessary document you will need for your higher studies. It’s important because it helps students to use their time effectively & efficiently. Study-plan also plays a vital role in the self-discipline of the students who do online courses. 

Study plan for scholarships is mostly required by Chinese, German, Italian or Canadian Scholarships. Your research supervisor or professor you are approaching to get an acceptance letter could ask for a study plan too. 

A study plan helps you forecast your studies and career moves. It also makes you accountable & increases your self-determination. Putting your study plan in writing will help you see the bigger picture.

The scholarship selection board assess your discipline, determination and enthusiasm for your respective course program through a study plan for scholarships. 

2. How to Write a Study Plan? 

Writing a good study plan is all about a strategic structure of your aims and goals. You need to be simple yet motivated to showcase your future plans to the selection committee. 

We have divided the five parts of the study plan. You need to follow this sequence to have a great study plan for scholarships. 

2.1   Personal Introduction

2.2.  Academic Background

2.3.  Work experience & Academic achievements

2.4.  Career Goals

2.5.  Time Scheduling & Management

Got stuck while drafting your research proposal? Check this detailed guide on Research proposal for Scholarship programs

2.1. Personal introduction

Introduce yourself in a short, precise & enthusiastic way. Write about your passions, interests & social circle in two-three sentences at the beginning of the essay. It will give the professor a general idea about your personality & professional attitude.  

You can start your introduction with any of your strengths, passion, habit, interest or about your journey. You can begin with a quotation that connects with your personality. 

2.2.  Academic Background 

A: You should write about your most advanced studies. Focus more on your recent education.  For example, if you have done Bachelors’ & you are applying for a Master’s education abroad, you must focus more on writing about your Bachelors rather than FSC & Matric.

B: Also write a short description of your previous studies before your bachelor’s.

You need to write in a smooth and connected way so that readers do not get distracted. You need to develop your own life story in a compelling way. 

2.3. Work Experience & Academic Achievements

Mostly, the selection committee check out your previous work experience. This paragraph should contain details about your previous experience. You can elaborate on any skill or expertise you gain under a specific role.  

You can write about the following things here: 

A : Write in detail about your research papers & their relevance to your future studies at the university

B : You can write about Seminars/Conferences you attended, online courses, Certificates, and short courses you ever completed. 

C : You can write short & precisely about your all academic or non-academic -extra-curricular activities 

A : You need to Write about future courses & semester subjects. You must mention how the courses are important and how you are going to study them in the near future.  

B : Explain your academic & research goals in detail along with the career possibilities you want to pursue after your education.

C : Potential pathways you can take if you finish this education. Also, write about how it’s impossible to achieve these goals if you don’t follow this education.

2.5. Time Scheduling & Management:

A : Plan your course outline semester-wise within a time frame. It’s a lot more time-efficient & professional.

B : study the course bulletin & cross-check it with your time plan to ensure that you met all the requirements.

3. Mistakes to Avoid in a Study Plan   

There are still a few mistakes that students do while writing their first study plan. Following are tips for these mistakes: 

• Don’t take it for granted or lightly, must give it your thought and take your time with your essay, it’s very important, to work on your introduction and conclusion.
• Give it a  proofread with the help of an expert or consult with your professor, but don’t expect that someone will do the whole thing for you. You can take advice but it’s your essay and your life story, so you have to write it by yourself.
• Try to finish your essay in 850-1000 words, don’t make it very long and stretchy. Just make it precise & well-articulated.
• Whenever you write about your future goals or past achievements, try not to be overconfident or delusional about realities. Explain it in a realistic way by explaining how you overcome your problems.
• Make sure there are no mistakes related to grammar or sentence formulation.

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4. Important Questions While Writing A Study Plan 

Your study plan must have a well-structured format so that the selection board get a whole perspective while reading. It can be professional and effective by keeping these questions in mind while writing your study plan.    

4.1. Why you chose respective program/ Academic course or technology? 

This question must be answered in detail   

Explain your motivation for pursuing this specific program. The reasons why you like this program and the history you shared with this course. Don’t forget to mention if you have any job experience or you did some online courses or you have attended some seminars related to this program. 

4.2. Why do you want to study at the specific university?

Answer this question in a short but precise manner .  

Explain your intentions about choosing this university, and talk about the university from a broader perspective. Write about its cultural environment, student councils, educational achievements, and faculty members that impress you. 

4.3. Why you are not interested in pursuing this course in your home country?

Answer this question in a concise way.  

This question will allow you to explain the multicultural environment which you always wanted to experience in an educational institute. Talk about that country’s educational scholarships & grants systems. 

You can also talk about your host country’s culture & heritage which you always wanted to visit & explore. You can also mention that your country is not offering this specific course; that’s also one reason you are not staying there.

4.4. What kind of research have you done so far in this course or topic?

It’s a very important question & your study plan must answer this question in detail.  

Write about your educational background or research papers you have done on this topic. Talk about the seminars or classes or courses you have attended that are relevant to the topic. Write about the job opportunities & career moves you can do after the completion of your education.

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4.5. Tell them about your Time-Schedule & Acting plan for this course

Your Answer must be short and precise

You have to be very careful while answering this question.  Do a proper brainstorming before you answer this question.  Time scheduling means you should know exactly how much time you will stay in the country & university while pursuing this course.

5. Final Thoughts   

A study plan is an important yet tricky part of your scholarship application. A good study plan throws a good impact on the selection board. You must have a well draft study plan before starting your application process.  

The study plan should be concise, compelling, professional and well-articulated. This blog provides detailed guidelines to write a study plan for scholarships. Keep all the important tips in mind before beginning your journey.                            

We cover everything in detail, but if you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments.

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Academic Development Centre

Essay plans, what can an essay plan assess.

Much of what an essay could without the detail and extended timeframe. The plan could be in written form, or diagrammatic as in a simple concept map / spider diagram.

The value of essay plans over essays is that we could require more plans than essays during a module and so cover a wider range of the curriculum. We noted above that one disadvantage of essays is that the strategic students only selecting the classes that cover ‘their chosen topic’. Not so easy to do if they have to plan for several topics ….

The Study Gurus (2018) provide an ‘different’ approach to structuring an essay plan:

Introduction:

Every essay needs an introduction (3-5 sentences), so at the top of your essay plan just jot down introduction or intro, so you remember to write one.

Paragraphs:

Every essay must be written in paragraphs. Each paragraph should explain one main idea, and needs to have the SEXI structure:

S: A Topic S entence. This tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. You only need to write down the jist of the topic sentence for each paragraph in your essay plan.

E: A full E xplanation of the point you’re making in this paragraph. This should make up the bulk of your paragraph. In your essay plan jot down what you’re going to explain.

X: e X amples or justifications that back up what you’ve said in that paragraph. Jot down what examples you’re going to include in your essay plan so you don’t forget to include them in your essay!

I: Why is this point I mportant? A really amazing essay would also explain why this point is important to the essay as a whole. What’s the significance of this point to the essay topic?

Conclusion:

Every essay needs a conclusion that briefly summarises what’s been said in the essay. You can just write down conclusion in your plan to make sure you write one.

This is simply used as an example here; you will be advising your students about essays in your discipline and how they should be structured and planned. Once you have established the planning process with them then it can become the assessment task.

Perhaps the strategy could be several plans are submitted and receive feedback and then students select one or more to complete for further grading.

Diversity & inclusion

Little different to full essays.

Academic integrity

Plans, like full essays, can be run through plagiarism checkers like Turnitin. It is important not to assume that by asking to see the plan you can guarantee that the essay is the students' own work or that the plan will be the students' own work. Essay mills or cheat sites are perfectly able to provide a plan, and then write an essay to that plan (or vice versa ).

Generative AI is incredibly adept at writing essay plans to prompts, which can include specific instructions (such as SEXI) and feedback on previous work that you or other lecturers may have given. AI can help students to generate and refine ideas, provide examples, summarise the literature and is increasingly sophisticated. AI can provide individuated support to scaffold student thinking and writing, and as part of an iterative and dialogic process can be integrated into student work so seamlessly that students might struggle to identify precisely what is them and what is AI.

Seeing essay plans as a thinking/learning tool - and emphasising the formative function - should minimise anxiety around AI/academic integrity. Framing essay plans as a powerful mechanism to generate productive feedback that will help students do their best work in an essay will promote academic integrity.

(Click here for further guidance on designing for academic integrity .)

Useful resources

Richardson, J.T.E. (2015) Coursework versus examinations in end-of-module assessment: a literature review, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education . 40 (3), 439-455.

A Political Science guide

https://politicalscienceguide.com/home/policy-paper/  

Advice about writing research proposals

From the University of Birmingham

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/law/courses/research/research-proposal.aspx  

From the University of Nottingham

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/how-to-write-a-research-proposal.aspx  

Healey, M. and Jenkins, A. (2009) Developing undergraduate research and inquiry.

https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/developing-undergraduate-research-and-inquiry

Advice on essay planning

From the University of Sheffield

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/study-skills/writing/academic-writing/planning-structure  

From the University of Reading

https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/essays/planning  

Annotated bibliography

Class participation

Concept maps

Essay variants: essays only with more focus

• briefing / policy papers
• research proposals
• articles and reviews
• essay plans

Film production

Laboratory notebooks and reports

Objective tests

• short-answer
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Essays on Study Plan

Choosing an study plan essay topic: a comprehensive guide.

Choosing an essay topic for your study plan can be a daunting task. Whether you are a high school student, college student, or a professional looking to further your education, selecting the right topic is crucial. The topic you choose will not only determine the direction of your essay but also the level of interest and engagement you have with the subject matter. This guide will help you navigate the process of choosing an engaging study plan essay topic and provide a list of recommended topics to consider.

The Importance of the Topic

The topic of your study plan essay plays a vital role in shaping the overall quality and effectiveness of your writing. A well-chosen topic will enable you to delve into the subject matter with enthusiasm and curiosity. It will also allow you to explore different perspectives and viewpoints, leading to a more comprehensive and thought-provoking essay. Additionally, a compelling topic can capture the reader's attention and make your essay stand out among others.

Choosing a Topic

When choosing a topic for your study plan essay, consider your interests, strengths, and goals. Think about the subjects that you are passionate about or have a deep understanding of. Consider topics that are relevant to your field of study or career aspirations. It is also important to choose a topic that is manageable and allows for in-depth exploration within the scope of your essay. Lastly, consider the audience for your essay and select a topic that will resonate with them.

Recommended Essay Topics

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• The impact of climate change on communities
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• The impact of social media on relationships
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Choosing an essay topic for your study plan requires careful consideration and reflection. By selecting a topic that aligns with your interests and goals, you can create a compelling and impactful essay. The recommended topics provided cover a wide range of subjects, allowing you to explore different areas of interest and engage with diverse perspectives. Remember to choose a topic that resonates with you and has the potential to engage and inform your audience.

By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and exploring the recommended topics, you can embark on the process of choosing an engaging study plan essay topic with confidence and enthusiasm.

Study Plan for Master Degree Program

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Personal Study Plan in The Field of Internal Medicine

Study plan: the path for career development, study skills that must be developed for gaining success, study skills, tools and techniques for personal study, advantages of studying alone: planning and managing our studies, relevant topics.

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TopAdmit- Online Application Essay Editing

College admissions essay editing, statement of purpose, personal statement & study plan.

When applying to any school, whether it’s undergraduate or graduate, you will always be required to submit one or more written documents. The purpose of these documents is to allow the admissions committee to find out more about the students on a personal level. Looking at your test scores, credentials, class rank, and similar data is not enough. There are thousands of students applying from all over the world with a similar application to yours. Therefore, your writing is arguably more important than anything else you submit, as it gives you the chance to express what makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

However, different schools ask for different formats, and this tends to confuse students, which leads to off-topic writing. Writing off-topic, no matter how creative and special your story is, could lead to automatic filtering by the admissions committee because you have failed to read the requirements and deliver what they are asking for.

Let’s look at the differences individually.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) – Just by looking at the title, we should already know that this paper is focused on your purpose, or the reasons why you want to study a particular course/major at this university. Usually, schools will assign what they call “prompts,” which are focused questions which you need to answer in detail. Failure to answer the question automatically marks you as an unfit candidate. It is very important to direct your response to the particular questions at hand. Don’t go off topic and start talking in detail about your past achievements, hopes, or dreams. Effective SOP writing discusses your career plan and future goals. This must be well thought out, as it takes focus and determination to pursue a degree, especially if you are applying for a master’s or doctorate degree. The admissions committee wants to see how well organized and prepared you are. Your readers need to know that you are serious about the degree program. They do not want slackers; they want well-defined research interests. A well-written SOP formally expresses the candidate’s background (education, interests, credentials, etc.), but the candidate does not brag. The candidate explains in detail his or her desire to gain acceptance into the program of choice. Check out free Statement of Purpose essay samples here .

Personal Statement – The keyword “personal” already tells you how different this is from an SOP. Here is your chance to show off what you have accomplished in your academics, any major skills you have, and any extracurricular activities in which you have participated. In this paper, you have the chance to represent yourself to stand out from the other students; you have the freedom to talk about anything and everything in your life, as long as it is relevant to the program to which you are applying. A common mistake with this type of document is that some applicants have too much to say, and they do not know how to choose relevant details or transition fluidly from idea to idea. Jumping from one story to another in one paragraph will put off the admissions committee, so organize your thoughts in advance. Plan what you want to write and structure your essay logically. Most importantly, don’t lie! The best personal statements are straightforward, reflective, and honest, so don’t overthink the task. Just express yourself.

Study Plan – A study plan is just another way some schools around the world, particularly in Asia, refer to a personal statement/SOP. They are looking to learn about your personality, past achievements, present roles, and future goals. There may be a shorter word limit for a study plan or no limit at all, depending on each individual school’s guidelines. When you are reading through the requirements, pay special attention to what the school is asking for so that you can focus the essay accordingly. If you do research on how to write a study plan, notice that the term “study plan” can also refer to a planned schedule to help students prepare for tests and exams. For instance, some students make study plans or schedules to determine how many words per day they should review for the SAT, GRE, or TOEFL. However, this use of the term “study plan” is unrelated to the application essay, so make sure you do not confuse these two meanings. One way to avoid confusion is to read about personal statements and use those guidelines instead.

To simplify the differences, you can think of them this way. An SOP describes why you want to attend a university while offering some details about your fit for the program, whereas a personal statement or study plan is all about representing yourself, your skills and accomplishments, and why this university should choose you.

It is always useful to read other people’s work to get a sense of what good essays are. To assist you, TopAdmit provides you some college admissions essay samples written by counselors and editors hailing from prestigious schools including Harvard. This page contains personal statement samples, statement of purpose samples, and application essay samples for college. But please remember, these are for your reference only; it is not to your benefit to copy their style or concepts. It not only violates academic ethics and could lead to an automatic rejection by the admissions committee — the point of our service is to help you construct a unique essay — not one similar to other essays.

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How to Write a Study Plan

A Study Plan or Research Proposal states in details what you are going to do with the scholarship in China. It must include such information as the major you want to study in or the field of your research interest. It is of vital importance for those applicants for graduate studies or senior scholar programs, so please make sure your study plan or research proposal states those information as specific as possible

Study plan for Undergraduate applicants (no less than 800 words)

Reasons for your interest in the program you applied, including why you wish to study the program, your personal goals and ambitions and evidence of any previous activities or experiences (including voluntary activities) which demonstrates your commitment to those goals and ambitions.

Study/Research plan for Postgraduate applicants (no less than 800 words)

Reasons for your interest in the program you applied, including why you wish to study this program, research plan and research field which relate to your future study plan in China, working experience, academic papers and self achievement that you have achieved before. Your personal goals and ambitions and evidence of any previous activities or experiences (including voluntary activities) which demonstrates your commitment to those goals and ambitions, your future target and goals after graduation also have to be mentioned.

Try to include the following points

a) your reasons for wanting to study at your preferred host institution or country b) how this institution or scholarship will help you achieve your study goals c) how the knowledge and experience gained at your preferred host institution will impact and influence your plans for the future upon your return to your country d) a brief description of any extra-curricular activities of which you are/ have been in charge.

Usually, a study plan refers to your future career goals. You could talk about what you plan to do with the knowledge you will gain from your proposed studies. Both short-term (within five years after completion of program) and long-term (after five years). Specifics are appreciated. Don’t use cliches like “life-long learning”.

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If you would like to study in China, If you need assistance to apply for scholarships in China then you can directly contact us through Email or WhatsApp/ WeChat.

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Study Plan for Scholarship Application

The process of preparing the necessary documents needed in applying for a scholarship is arduous. There is also that unending worry of whether you can pass or not. Despite that, you are here because you know that this effort is nothing compared to the opportunities it can offer you in return. In addition to filling in scholarship applications and writing career essays , learn how to devise a study plan for scholarship application and secure the scholarship that you want.

What is a Study Plan for Scholarship Application?

A study plan for a scholarship application is a detailed document that outlines an applicant’s strategies and scheduling commitments for achieving academic success during their course of study. It is often a required component of scholarship applications to demonstrate the applicant’s dedication, foresight, and readiness to handle the academic workload efficiently if granted the scholarship. Here’s a deeper look into the elements of a study plan and its importance:

Study Plan for Scholarship Application Format

John Deo 123 Scholarship Lane Education City, IN 12345 Email: [email protected] Phone: (123) 456-7890 Date: April 11, 2024

Admissions Committee The Scholarship Foundation 123 Learning Ave, Suite 456 Academic Town, IN 12345

Dear Scholarship Committee,

I am writing to express my enthusiasm and qualifications for the [Name of Scholarship] as part of my application to [University/College Name]. I am currently a senior at [Your High School’s Name], and I am planning to pursue a degree in [Your Intended Major] this coming fall. I believe that a well-structured study plan is essential for achieving academic success and making the most of the scholarship opportunity. Below, I outline my comprehensive study plan designed to enhance my educational journey.

1. Understanding the Scholarship Requirements

Objective: To thoroughly understand the criteria and expectations of the scholarship.

Action Plan: Review the scholarship guidelines weekly to ensure all requirements are met and align activities to the scholarship’s objectives.

2. Setting Academic Goals

Objective: To achieve a GPA of 3.8 or higher each semester.

Action Plan: Allocate specific hours for study sessions, utilize campus academic resources, and meet with an academic advisor bi-monthly to track progress.

3. Time Management Plan

Objective: To effectively balance academic, extracurricular, and personal activities.

Action Plan: Create a weekly schedule that includes classes, study times, extracurricular involvement, and personal downtime to ensure holistic development.

4. Daily Study Routine

Objective: To consolidate learning and maximize retention of study material.

Action Plan: Dedicate at least three hours daily to studying core subjects, using active recall and spaced repetition techniques to enhance memory.

5. Resource Utilization

Objective: To leverage available resources for maximizing academic success.

Action Plan: Regularly use the university library, online databases, and academic journals. Participate in study groups to enhance learning and understand complex topics.

6. Extracurricular Involvement

Objective: To develop skills and interests outside of the academic curriculum.

Action Plan: Join two relevant clubs or organizations within the university to build leadership skills and professional connections.

7. Health and Wellness Management

Objective: To maintain optimal physical and mental health.

Action Plan: Engage in weekly physical activities and use university wellness resources, including counseling and fitness centers.

8. Regular Progress Evaluation

Objective: To continuously assess academic performance and make necessary adjustments to the study plan.

Action Plan: Self-assess academic standing through regular quizzes and exams, and adjust study methods and schedules based on results.

9. Networking and Mentorship

Objective: To build relationships with faculty and peers that support academic and career goals.

Action Plan: Attend networking events, participate in seminars, and meet with a mentor for career advice monthly.

10. Preparation for Future Endeavors

I am committed to adhering to this study plan as I believe it will help me to not only meet but exceed the expectations that come with the [Name of Scholarship]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to bring my dedication and passion for my studies to [University/College Name].

Purpose of a Study Plan

Strategic Academic Roadmap : The study plan serves as a roadmap that guides the applicant through their academic journey, laying out a clear path of what they intend to study, how they plan to manage their time, and the resources they will utilize.

Demonstration of Commitment : It shows the scholarship committee that the applicant has a thoughtful approach and is serious about making the most of the educational opportunity.

Resource Management : It helps applicants plan how they will utilize the available resources (like libraries, labs, and tutoring services) to maximize their academic potential.

Balance and Wellbeing : A comprehensive study plan also considers personal well-being and extracurricular activities, balancing them with academic responsibilities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How to Write a Study Plan for a Scholarship

Introduction.

Begin your study plan with a brief introduction about yourself, including your current educational status and the degree program you are applying for. Mention how this scholarship will assist you in achieving your educational and career goals.

Example: “I am an aspiring Environmental Science major currently completing my senior year at Springfield High School, eager to advance my education at the University of Wellbeing. This scholarship will play a pivotal role in achieving my goals of contributing to sustainable environmental practices.”

Educational Background

Briefly outline your academic history focusing on achievements relevant to the scholarship. Include information about your current course of study and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example: “My academic journey has been rigorously curated towards environmental conservation, marked by my active participation in science fairs and internships at local conservation organizations, achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.9.”

Academic Goals

Clearly state your academic objectives for the future, including the milestones you plan to achieve during your scholarship period.

Example: “Upon securing this scholarship, my immediate objective is to maintain a GPA of 3.8 or above, while my long-term goal is to publish independent research on renewable energy sources.”

Study Plan Details

This is the core section where you break down your study schedule:

• Weekly Study Schedule: Detail your weekly commitments, including class times, study sessions, group discussions, and lab work.
• Exam Preparation: Outline strategies for preparing for exams, such as review sessions or practice tests.
• Resource Utilization: Describe how you plan to use university resources like libraries, labs, and tutoring centers.

Example: “My weekly study plan is structured around 15 hours of class time, supplemented by 20 hours of dedicated study. This includes group study sessions to enhance collaborative learning and individual sessions focused on research for my thesis on solar power efficiency.”

Skills and Extracurricular Activities

Integrate your extracurricular activities that are pertinent to your academic success. This could include clubs, sports, volunteer work, or other projects that contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Example: “I will continue to engage in the Green Planet club, which aligns with my academic focus and provides practical experience through community-based projects and initiatives.”

Personal Management Strategies

Discuss how you will balance your academic responsibilities with personal well-being to maintain high performance.

Example: “To ensure sustained mental and physical health, I will adhere to a balanced routine that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and mindfulness practices, alongside my academic commitments.”

Monitoring and Adjusting the Plan

Explain how you will track your academic progress and the steps you will take to adapt your study plan if needed.

Example: “I plan to evaluate my academic performance bi-monthly, utilizing feedback from professors and peers to refine study techniques and strategies. This adaptive approach will help address any academic challenges promptly.”

Reaffirm your commitment to your educational goals and the scholarship program. Summarize how the scholarship will impact your education and career prospects.

Example: “This scholarship will not only alleviate financial burdens but also enhance my academic endeavors by providing access to premier resources and networks. I am committed to upholding the standards of excellence expected of scholarship recipients.”

Keypoints for Study Plan for Scholarship Application

1. personal introduction.

• Full Name and contact information.
• Educational Background : Brief summary of current and past education.
• Academic Achievements : Highlight relevant awards and recognitions.

2. Objective of the Study Plan

• Purpose : Clarify the purpose of the scholarship and how it aligns with your academic and career goals.
• Outcome Expectations : Define what you intend to achieve by utilizing the scholarship.

3. Academic Goals

• Short-term Goals : List goals to be achieved during your scholarship period (e.g., GPA targets, specific project completions).
• Long-term Goals : Outline what you aim to achieve post-graduation and how the scholarship facilitates these ambitions.

4. Study Schedule

• Weekly and Daily Plans : Detail your class schedule, study hours, and any part-time job or extracurricular activities.
• Exam and Assignment Prep : Strategies for preparing for exams and completing assignments.
• Institutional Resources : Plan to use libraries, labs, tutoring centers, and any other academic resources offered by the educational institution.
• Personal Resources : Books, software, and other materials you will use independently.

6. Extracurricular Activities

• Clubs and Societies : Which groups you will join that are relevant to your studies and how they will help you achieve your goals.
• Volunteering : Any community service or volunteering plans that enhance your resume and personal growth.

7. Skills Development

• Academic Skills : Specific skills you intend to develop or improve, such as research techniques, writing skills, or analytical abilities.
• Professional Skills : Relevant skills to your field that you aim to acquire or enhance, such as programming, statistical analysis, or foreign languages.

8. Health and Well-being Plan

• Physical Health : Activities and routines to maintain physical health, like gym schedules, sports, or fitness classes.
• Mental Health : Strategies for stress management and mental well-being, including meditation, counseling, and healthy social interactions.

9. Progress Monitoring and Adjustments

• Review Intervals : Regular intervals at which you will review your progress towards your academic goals.
• Feedback Mechanisms : How you will gather and use feedback from professors, peers, and personal reflection to adjust your study plan.

10. Conclusion

• Reiteration of Commitment : Affirm your commitment to your educational goals and the effective use of the scholarship.
• Summary of Impact : Briefly summarize how the scholarship will help you meet your outlined academic and professional goals.

4+ Study Plan for Scholarship Application Examples

1. sample study plan for scholarship application.

2. Sample Study Plan for Scholarship Application

3. Bachelors Study Plan for Scholarship Application

4. Masters Study Plan for Scholarship Application

5. Study Plan for Abroad Scholarship Application

Importance of a Study Plan in Scholarship Applications

Evidence of Proactivity : It provides proof that the applicant is proactive about their education and not just academically competent but also well-organized and thoughtful.

Confidence Booster for Committees : Scholarship committees feel more confident about investing in students who show clear intent and preparedness towards their educational endeavors.

Framework for Success : The study plan acts as a framework that can significantly enhance the applicant’s ability to achieve their educational targets efficiently.

How to Devise an Impressive Study Plan for Scholarship Application?

There are probably hundreds of other hopeful students like you who are also aiming to get the scholarship. If you are one of many, rousing the committee will be a difficult task. One weakness or mistake, and your application documents might end up in the paper shredding machine. Ensure to avoid this unfortunate fate by showing off your essay writing skills with your study plan.

1. Highlight Your Achievements

The first thing you should consider in composing your study plan is to outline your academic achievements and academic background. Yes, you are writing this to impress, but you should also remember to include only honest facts of yourself. If you have received any award certificates for particular programs, you should detail them in your essay. Don’t forget to discuss how these attainments contributed to your decision in choosing their school, the scholarship, and the program/degree.

2. Set Your Academic Goals

The next step in your essay writing process is to talk about your long-term and short term academic goals . The committees will give extra attention to this segment. They will evaluate this as a determining factor to determine whether you are deserving of the scholarship or not. You should also align your academic goals to the degree or program you chose to take.

3. Provide a Timeline

Now that you have presented your goals, you should set aside a schedule or a timeline for each item you listed in your objectives. It is important to stay realistic and to know your limits. Do not set a career timeline you cannot follow. It will put you at a disadvantage in the long run. 

4. Detail Your Strategic Study Methods

After discussing what you want to achieve and the period to accomplish it, you should answer the how question. That said, you should enumerate a detailed list of the fruitful study strategies and habits you are willing to implement to achieve what you have written in your study plan. If your applying for an overseas scholarship, you should also include how you plan to learn their language.

What Should I Write in My Study Plan?

Outline your educational background, academic goals, detailed schedule, resource utilization, extracurricular activities, and strategies for maintaining physical and mental health. Emphasize how these elements help achieve your academic objectives.

How Do You Write a Future Study Plan for a Scholarship?

Include long-term academic targets, describe the preparation for major exams, detail intended use of institutional resources, and explain how you will engage with campus life and external opportunities to enhance your career prospects.

How Do I Create a Study Plan?

Start by setting clear, measurable academic goals. Break down your daily and weekly commitments, allocate time for revisions and breaks, utilize academic resources effectively, and incorporate time for extracurriculars to maintain a balanced schedule.

How Can I Focus 100% on Studying?

Create a distraction-free study environment, set specific goals for each study session, use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique for maintaining focus, and incorporate short breaks to prevent burnout and keep your mind fresh.

What is the 9 8 7 Study Method?

This method involves studying for 9 hours a day using a mix of 3 hours for new topics, 3 hours for review, and 3 hours for practice problems, followed by 8 hours of sleep, and 7 hours of relaxation, meals, and personal tasks.

What is the Study Plan for Student?

A student’s study plan should include a realistic schedule that balances study hours with classes, assignments, and exams. It should also outline strategies for effective learning, such as active recall and spaced repetition, and integrate time for rest and extracurricular activities.

How is a study plan essay from a study timetable?

The glaring difference between a study plan essay and a study timetable lies in their formatting. A study plan follows an essay structure, while a study timetable is a visual presentation of your daily or weekly study schedule . In addition to that, a study plan is a scholarship essay that presents your academic goals for the whole duration of your studying in a particular school, while the latter aims to achieve a daily or weekly goal.

What are examples of academic goals for a study plan?

Setting your academic goals in your study plan can be considerably influenced by the type of scholarship you want. If you are applying for a scholarship for a post graduate school program, you can include publishing a educational research in your goals. On the other hand, if you want to apply for an undergraduate scholarship, you can enhance your leadership and communication skills by joining extracurricular clubs and activities. You can also aim to achieve a certain GPA that you think is reachable for you

What are some productive study methods?

The first tip that you should consider is to look for a study-friendly place. If you have not discovered what type of learner you are, then you should conduct a self-assessment. Doing this will help you know what kind of methods are appropriate for you. In addition, based on the results of your assessment, you should prepare learning materials accordingly. If you learn better when you write, you can prepare notebooks for your notes. On the other hand, if you are an auditory learner, you should opt to prepare abooks. To make studying a routine, you can also construct a five day study plan .

It’s a no-brainer that underprivileged students do not have the same chances of getting a quality education as students from a well-off family. Despite that, there are sponsors, organizations, and universities willing to help open the doors of opportunities to these students. That said, once you come across this situation, exhaust all your efforts by composing an outstanding study plan for scholarship application. 

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a study plan for final exams in high school

Develop a project timeline for a middle school science fair.

Anthropology Undergraduate Guide

Wayne State's Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology is unique because it provides a combination of skills from both laboratory science and the humanities. Anthropology majors apply these skills in a wide variety of careers from healthcare to business, to cultural heritage, government and research, and more! Our student-led Anthropology Learning Community , which focuses on off-campus experiences in Detroit, ensures we have fun while learning these skills inside and outside of the classroom!

Schedule an advising appointment

Contact undergraduate director

• What is anthropology?

Plan of work

Our community.

• Undergraduate research
• Departmental honors

Graduate study

• Accelerated degree

What is anthropology?  

Anthropology is the study of humanity, past and present, around the world and here in Detroit. It seeks to understand what all humans have in common, as well as our biological and cultural diversity. Anthropologists study people by living and talking with them, interpreting myths and rituals, and analyzing human remains and artifacts recovered from archaeological sites and crime or mass disaster scenes.

Why study anthropology?

Our program is a vibrant community where students train in the four anthropological subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology and linguistic anthropology. We place special emphasis on preparing students to apply their anthropological skills to a wide range of careers in professional settings in Detroit and around the world.   

Careers in anthropology include marketing, consumer research, museums, user experience, design, law, nonprofit administration, government relations, environmental consulting, healthcare and medicine, cultural resource management and policy analysis.

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The anthropology major is a 34-credit major that includes introductory classes in each subfield, a research methods course, a history of anthropology course and a capstone seminar. Students also take three anthropology electives to complete the major. This sample plan of work is organized around a four-year schedule, but many anthropology students declare their major later in their undergraduate careers without a problem.

Sample undergraduate plan of work (four years)

Examples of anthropology electives.

• ANT 2020: Global Detroit
• ANT 2400: Food and Culture
• ANT 3220: The Inca and their Ancestors
• ANT 3400: Introduction to Medical Anthropology
• ANT 3410: Global Health
• ANT 3520: Understanding Africa
• ANT 3530: Native Americans
• ANT 3540: Cultures and Societies of Latin America
• ANT 3550: Arab Society in Transition
• ANT 3560: World’s Religions
• ANT 3700: Globalization: Theories Practices & Implications
• ANT 5060: Urban Anthropology
• ANT 5140: Biology and Culture
• ANT 5180: Forensic Anthropology

Being a student in the anthropology department means more than just completing anthropology courses. We are a lively, diverse community with many opportunities to get to know fellow students, staff and faculty and learn about anthropology. These range from films to group tours of interesting places in Detroit, movie screenings, study sessions and “First Friday” lectures (held on the first Friday of each month during the academic year.)

Many of our field trips are sponsored by the Anthropology Learning Community (LC), open to all undergraduate students. The Anthropology Learning Community is one of the best ways to get to know other anthropology students outside of the classroom. LC activities vary from historical tours around Detroit, to behind-the-scenes visits to local museums, coffee hours and movie nights. All LC events aim to create a sense of togetherness for students with a common interest in anthropology. LC events are open to majors, minors and students who are best described as “friends of the department” – and in some cases, family and friends too. LC activities vary each year and are sometimes tied to the curricula of specific classes – so be on the lookout for the events we offer each semester.

The LC is also an important source of academic support. Peer mentors , who are typically advanced undergraduate anthropology students, provide tutoring support to other students (ask your professor for their contact information). If you're an anthropology major who's taken a significant number of 2000 and 3000-level courses in the anthropology curriculum and you're interested in working as a peer mentor contact the undergraduate program director .

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The UROP program is a university-wide program designed to provide undergraduate students with research opportunities and financial support to take part in research. It's a competitive program with two deadlines each year in November and March to support projects taking place in the fall or winter/spring/summer semesters. Grantees receive approximately $2000 to support their research.

Students interested in research opportunities, including UROP projects should discuss them with professors who work in related areas of study or with the undergraduate director at least several months before the UROP deadlines to develop the project and to write the application. Projects are always done under the mentorship of a professor and can be a student’s original research or part of a faculty member’s research with which the student will assist. The anthropology department has a good track record in receiving these awards and we encourage students interested in conducting research to apply.

Learn more about UROP

Anthropology departmental honors

Students who wish to graduate with departmental honors will complete an honors essay under the supervision of a faculty mentor. This should be on a topic that is mutually agreed on with their mentor. These essays are ideally completed over two semesters with the faculty mentor advising the student through the research and writing process. Students interested in departmental honors should speak with the undergraduate director and then email prospective honors essay mentors to discuss possible topics and timelines.

The skills and concepts you learn while studying anthropology are a superb foundation for several careers and future directions of study at the graduate level. As with nearly all college majors, many of these jobs do not advertise themselves as “anthropology” jobs but these fields utilize anthropological concepts and Wayne State anthropology graduates have a history of success in jobs with these titles.

Private sector: Marketing, consumer data analyst, research and implementation user, experience (UX) research, research associate, resource specialist, cultural resource management (CRM), field technician (CRM), public relations, legal support, environmental consulting, health care and medicine.

Government: Cultural resource management (NPS), behavioral scientist (CDC), data analysis officer (CIA), historic preservation specialist, autopsy technician, death investigator, crime scene investigator, disaster response/emergency management/mass fatality management.

Nonprofit: Program manager, museum curator, museum exhibit designer, educator.

Graduate School: An undergraduate degree in anthropology provides s strong foundation for professional education in law, medicine, public health, business and academic M.A./Ph.D. programs in anthropology and related social sciences. Many students who plan on receiving an M.A. degree elect to join Wayne State's highly successful accelerated degree program after graduating.

Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE)

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Protocol for a scoping review study on learning plan use in undergraduate medical education

• Anna Romanova   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1118-1604 1 ,
• Claire Touchie 1 ,
• Sydney Ruller 2 ,
• Victoria Cole 3 &
• Susan Humphrey-Murto 4  

Systematic Reviews volume  13 , Article number:  131 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

The current paradigm of competency-based medical education and learner-centredness requires learners to take an active role in their training. However, deliberate and planned continual assessment and performance improvement is hindered by the fragmented nature of many medical training programs. Attempts to bridge this continuity gap between supervision and feedback through learner handover have been controversial. Learning plans are an alternate educational tool that helps trainees identify their learning needs and facilitate longitudinal assessment by providing supervisors with a roadmap of their goals. Informed by self-regulated learning theory, learning plans may be the answer to track trainees’ progress along their learning trajectory. The purpose of this study is to summarise the literature regarding learning plan use specifically in undergraduate medical education and explore the student’s role in all stages of learning plan development and implementation.

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, a scoping review will be conducted to explore the use of learning plans in undergraduate medical education. Literature searches will be conducted using multiple databases by a librarian with expertise in scoping reviews. Through an iterative process, inclusion and exclusion criteria will be developed and a data extraction form refined. Data will be analysed using quantitative and qualitative content analyses.

By summarising the literature on learning plan use in undergraduate medical education, this study aims to better understand how to support self-regulated learning in undergraduate medical education. The results from this project will inform future scholarly work in competency-based medical education at the undergraduate level and have implications for improving feedback and supporting learners at all levels of competence.

Scoping review registration:

Open Science Framework osf.io/wvzbx.

Peer Review reports

Competency-based medical education (CBME) has transformed the approach to medical education to focus on demonstration of acquired competencies rather than time-based completion of rotations [ 1 ]. As a result, undergraduate and graduate medical training programs worldwide have adopted outcomes-based assessments in the form of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) comprised of competencies to be met [ 2 ]. These assessments are completed longitudinally by multiple different evaluators to generate an overall impression of a learner’s competency.

In CBME, trainees will progress along their learning trajectory at individual speeds and some may excel while others struggle to achieve the required knowledge, skills or attitudes. Therefore, deliberate and planned continual assessment and performance improvement is required. However, due to the fragmented nature of many medical training programs where learners rotate through different rotations and work with many supervisors, longitudinal observation is similarly fragmented. This makes it difficult to determine where trainees are on their learning trajectories and can affect the quality of feedback provided to them, which is a known major influencer of academic achievement [ 3 ]. As a result, struggling learners may not be identified until late in their training and the growth of high-performing learners may be stifled [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].

Bridging this continuity gap between supervision and feedback through some form of learner handover or forward feeding has been debated since the 1970s and continues to this day [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. The goal of learner handover is to improve trainee assessment and feedback by sharing their performance and learning needs between supervisors or across rotations. However, several concerns have been raised about this approach including that it could inappropriately bias subsequent assessments of the learner’s abilities [ 9 , 11 , 12 ]. A different approach to keeping track of trainees’ learning goals and progress along their learning trajectories is required. Learning plans (LPs) informed by self-regulated learning (SRL) theory may be the answer.

SRL has been defined as a cyclical process where learners actively control their thoughts, actions and motivation to achieve their goals [ 13 ]. Several models of SRL exist but all entail that the trainee is responsible for setting, planning, executing, monitoring and reflecting on their learning goals [ 13 ]. According to Zimmerman’s SRL model, this process occurs in three stages: forethought phase before an activity, performance phase during an activity and self-reflection phase after an activity [ 13 ]. Since each trainee leads their own learning process and has an individual trajectory towards competence, this theory relates well to the CBME paradigm which is grounded in learner-centredness [ 1 ]. However, we know that medical students and residents have difficulty identifying their own learning goals and therefore need guidance to effectively partake in SRL [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Motivation has also emerged as a key component of SRL, and numerous studies have explored factors that influence student engagement in learning [ 18 , 19 ]. In addition to meeting their basic psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness and competence, perceived learning relevance through meaningful learning activities has been shown to increase trainee engagement in their learning [ 19 ].

LPs are a well-known tool across many educational fields including CBME that can provide trainees with meaningful learning activities since they help them direct their own learning goals in a guided fashion [ 20 ]. Also known as personal learning plans, learning contracts, personal action plans, personal development plans, and learning goals, LPs are documents that outline the learner’s roadmap to achieve their learning goals. They require the learner to self-identify what they need to learn and why, how they are going to do it, how they will know when they are finished, define the timeframe for goal achievement and assess the impact of their learning [ 20 ]. In so doing, LPs give more autonomy to the learner and facilitate objective and targeted feedback from supervisors. This approach has been described as “most congruent with the assumptions we make about adults as learners” [ 21 ].

LP use has been explored across various clinical settings and at all levels of medical education; however, most of the experience lies in postgraduate medical education [ 22 ]. Medical students are a unique learner population with learning needs that appear to be very well suited for using LPs for two main reasons. First, their education is often divided between classroom and clinical settings. During clinical training, students need to be more independent in setting learning goals to meet desired competencies as their education is no longer outlined for them in a detailed fashion by the medical school curriculum [ 23 ]. SRL in the workplace is also different than in the classroom due to additional complexities of clinical care that can impact students’ ability to self-regulate their learning [ 24 ]. Second, although most medical trainees have difficulty with goal setting, medical students in particular need more guidance compared to residents due to their relative lack of experience upon which they can build within the SRL framework [ 25 ]. LPs can therefore provide much-needed structure to their learning but should be guided by an experienced tutor to be effective [ 15 , 24 ].

LPs fit well within the learner-centred educational framework of CBME by helping trainees identify their learning needs and facilitating longitudinal assessment by providing supervisors with a roadmap of their goals. In so doing, they can address current issues with learner handover and identification as well as remediation of struggling learners. Moreover, they have the potential to help trainees develop lifelong skills with respect to continuing professional development after graduation which is required by many medical licensing bodies.

An initial search of the JBI Database, Cochrane Database, MEDLINE (PubMed) and Google Scholar conducted in July–August 2022 revealed a paucity of research on LP use in undergraduate medical education (UGME). A related systematic review by van Houten–Schat et al. [ 24 ] on SRL in the clinical setting identified three interventions used by medical students and residents in SRL—coaching, LPs and supportive tools. However, only a couple of the included studies looked specifically at medical students’ use of LPs, so this remains an area in need of more exploration. A scoping review would provide an excellent starting point to map the body of literature on this topic.

The objective of this scoping review will therefore be to explore LP use in UGME. In doing so, it will address a gap in knowledge and help determine additional areas for research.

This study will follow Arksey and O’Malley’s [ 26 ] five-step framework for scoping review methodology. It will not include the optional sixth step which entails stakeholder consultation as relevant stakeholders will be intentionally included in the research team (a member of UGME leadership, a medical student and a first-year resident).

Step 1—Identifying the research question

The overarching purpose of this study is to “explore the use of LPs in UGME”. More specifically we seek to achieve the following:

Summarise the literature regarding the use of LPs in UGME (including context, students targeted, frameworks used)

Explore the role of the student in all stages of the LP development and implementation

Determine existing research gaps

Step 2—Identifying relevant studies

An experienced health sciences librarian (VC) will conduct all searches and develop the initial search strategy. The preliminary search strategy is shown in Appendix A (see Additional file 2). Articles will be included if they meet the following criteria [ 27 ]:

Participants

Medical students enrolled at a medical school at the undergraduate level.

Any use of LPs by medical students. LPs are defined as a document, usually presented in a table format, that outlines the learner’s roadmap to achieve their learning goals [ 20 ].

Any stage of UGME in any geographic setting.

Types of evidence sources

We will search existing published and unpublished (grey) literature. This may include research studies, reviews, or expert opinion pieces.

Search strategy

With the assistance of an experienced librarian (VC), a pilot search will be conducted to inform the final search strategy. A search will be conducted in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Education Source, APA PsycInfo and Web of Science. The search terms will be developed in consultation with the research team and librarian. The search strategy will proceed according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis three-step search strategy for reviews [ 27 ]. First, we will conduct a limited search in two appropriate online databases and analyse text words from the title, abstracts and index terms of relevant papers. Next, we will conduct a second search using all identified key words in all databases. Third, we will review reference lists of all included studies to identify further relevant studies to include in the review. We will also contact the authors of relevant papers for further information if required. This will be an iterative process as the research team becomes more familiar with the literature and will be guided by the librarian. Any modifications to the search strategy as it evolves will be described in the scoping review report. As a measure of rigour, the search strategy will be peer-reviewed by another librarian using the PRESS checklist [ 28 ]. No language or date limits will be applied.

Step 3—Study selection

The screening process will consist of a two-step approach: screening titles/abstracts and, if they meet inclusion criteria, this will be followed by a full-text review. All screening will be done by two members of the research team and any disagreements will be resolved by an independent third member of the team. Based on preliminary inclusion criteria, the whole research team will first pilot the screening process by reviewing a random sample of 25 titles/abstracts. The search strategy, eligibility criteria and study objectives will be refined in an iterative process. We anticipate several meetings as the topic is not well described in the literature. A flowchart of the review process will be generated. Any modifications to the study selection process will be described in the scoping review report. The papers will be excluded if a full text is not available. The search results will be managed using Covidence software.

Step 4—Charting the data

A preliminary data extraction tool is shown in Appendix B (see Additional file 3 ). Data will be extracted into Excel and will include demographic information and specific details about the population, concept, context, study methods and outcomes as they relate to the scoping review objectives. The whole research team will pilot the data extraction tool on ten articles selected for full-text review. Through an iterative process, the final data extraction form will be refined. Subsequently, two members of the team will independently extract data from all articles included for full-text review using this tool. Charting disagreements will be resolved by the principal and senior investigators. Google Translate will be used for any included articles that are not in the English language.

Step 5—Collating, summarising and reporting the results

Quantitative and qualitative analyses will be used to summarise the results. Quantitative analysis will capture descriptive statistics with details about the population, concept, context, study methods and outcomes being examined in this scoping review. Qualitative content analysis will enable interpretation of text data through the systematic classification process of coding and identifying themes and patterns [ 29 ]. Several team meetings will be held to review potential themes to ensure an accurate representation of the data. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to guide the reporting of review findings [ 30 ]. Data will be presented in tables and/or diagrams as applicable. A descriptive summary will explain the presented results and how they relate to the scoping review objectives.

By summarising the literature on LP use in UGME, this study will contribute to a better understanding of how to support SRL amongst medical students. The results from this project will also inform future scholarly work in CBME at the undergraduate level and have implications for improving feedback as well as supporting learners at all levels of competence. In doing so, this study may have practical applications by informing learning plan incorporation into CBME-based curricula.

We do not anticipate any practical or operational issues at this time. We assembled a team with the necessary expertise and tools to complete this project.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the published scoping review article.

Abbreviations

• Competency-based medical education

Entrustable professional activity

• Learning plan
• Self-regulated learning
• Undergraduate medical education

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Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

This study will be supported through grants from the Department of Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. The funding bodies had no role in the study design and will not have any role in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data or writing of the manuscript.

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Anna Romanova & Claire Touchie

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Sydney Ruller

The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Victoria Cole

The Ottawa Hospital – Riverside Campus, Ottawa, Canada

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Contributions

AR designed and drafted the protocol. CT and SH contributed to the refinement of the research question, study methods and editing of the manuscript. VC designed the initial search strategy. All authors reviewed the manuscript for final approval. The review guarantors are CT and SH. The corresponding author is AR.

Authors’ information

AR is a clinician teacher and Assistant Professor with the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is also the Associate Director for the internal medicine clerkship rotation at the General campus of the Ottawa Hospital.

CT is a Professor of Medicine with the Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Ottawa. She is also a member of the UGME Competence Committee at the University of Ottawa and an advisor for the development of a new school of medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University.

SH is an Associate Professor with the Department of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and holds a Tier 2 Research Chair in Medical Education. She is also the Interim Director for the Research Support Unit within the Department of Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Ottawa.

CT and SH have extensive experience with medical education research and have numerous publications in this field.

SR is a Research Assistant with the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

VC is a Health Sciences Research Librarian at the University of Ottawa.

SR and VC have extensive experience in systematic and scoping reviews.

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Correspondence to Anna Romanova .

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Supplementary Information

Additional file 1. prisma-p 2015 checklist., 13643_2024_2553_moesm2_esm.docx.

Additional file 2: Appendix A. Preliminary search strategy [ 31 ].

Additional file 3: Appendix B. Preliminary data extraction tool.

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Romanova, A., Touchie, C., Ruller, S. et al. Protocol for a scoping review study on learning plan use in undergraduate medical education. Syst Rev 13 , 131 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02553-w

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How to write a study plan for gks undergraduate/graduate scholarship | how to write gks scholarship study plan for undergraduate/graduate program.

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Jewish studies, certificate.

This is the first version of the 2024–25 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

The Certificate in Jewish Studies requires a minimum of 18 s.h., including at least 12 s.h. in courses completed at the University of Iowa. Students must earn a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all certificate coursework.

The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.

The certificate takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Jewish history and cultures across time and space. Jewish studies encompasses a broad range of topics, including biblical studies; ancient, medieval, and modern history; Jewish religion; Jewish literature and art; Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Ashkenazi studies; race and gender; social justice; Holocaust studies; Israel studies; Jewish languages; and more. Jewish studies interrogates ethnicity and other forms of identity and therefore intersects with African American studies; Latina/o/x studies; gender, women’s, and sexuality studies; and other similar fields. Jewish studies is inherently transnational, interdisciplinary, and intersectional.

All students develop an individual certificate plan of study in close cooperation with a Jewish studies advisor. As a general rule, both foundation courses are offered annually, one in the fall and one in the spring. Other courses are typically offered on an annual or biennial basis. In some cases, students may be able to count certificate courses toward certain GE CLAS Core requirements.

Some courses listed below only apply to the certificate when an appropriately themed section is completed; additional notations appear on those courses. Students must ensure they are enrolled for a qualifying section of the course.

Students may petition to receive credit for courses not listed. These may include more general courses in which students complete a major project centered around Jewish studies, such as courses in the creative and performing arts, independent studies, or a senior or honors thesis. Students are advised to consult with the Jewish studies certificate director about any questions regarding qualifying coursework.

The Certificate in Jewish Studies requires the following coursework.

Foundation Courses

Elective courses.

Students fulfill the remainder of the 18 s.h. with elective courses selected from the following.

It is recommended but not required that students distribute elective courses in the following ways: courses from at least two different departments; courses from at least two different clusters; and at least 9 s.h. in courses numbered 2000 or above.

Cross-Chronological Cluster

The ancient and medieval world cluster, the modern world cluster, language cluster.

Students interested in pursuing additional language study through the Big Ten Academic Alliance CourseShare Program should contact the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures for more information.

The Certificate in Jewish Studies is of value for careers for which training in ethics and diversity are important qualifications, such as social services, the health care professions, law, and the arts. The certificate also helps to prepare students for careers with Jewish or interfaith nonprofits and graduate work in Jewish studies or cognate fields.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI .

This sample plan will be added at a later date.

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