Hillcroft LRC

A path to keeping a diary by Sacha Chua is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The new academic year is fast approaching. One of the key items of stationary for students and teachers alike is the diary. Why is it that writing things down helps so much? For organisational purposes for sure, but also it is very satisfying. Diaries are personal tools to regularly reflect which can boost motivation.

Keeping a diary may include ticking items off the list, fitting fun things into a routine and seeing the big picture of the week or year. Keeping a diary is an effective old-fashioned way to develop good study skills. However, if writing a diary sounds like work perhaps as Tefula (2014) consider how to make it more interesting: whether with mindmaps, stickers, technology (audio notes and reminders), or tie it in with another goal or guilty pleasure.

For more handy tips on cultivating motivation, reflection and getting work done you can borrow our new books:

Student procrastination by Michael Tefula.

Studying as a parent by Helen Owton.