Insurance Exam Prep: 7 Ways to Improve Your Time Management Skills
Good time management skills are essential when it comes to studying for your insurance licensing exam. While you can sign up for an insurance exam prep course anytime, if you start studying too early you risk forgetting the material by the time your exam date rolls around.
The key is to find the “Goldilocks zone” when it comes to studying—not too early, not too late, but just right. For most students, the best time to start is 2-4 weeks before their scheduled exam date. That said, you need a solid plan, and it starts with good time management.
Benefits of Time Management Skills
Good time management skills are not only helpful when it comes to studying, but also for life in general. Here are a few advantages:
- Better productivity – Developing good time management skills will help you prioritize tasks and allocate your time effectively, leading to greater productivity.
- Less stress – A well-organized schedule will help you meet deadlines more consistently and feel more in control of your time. This can help reduce stress at school, at work, and even at home.
- Greater accomplishment – By breaking down tasks into actionable tasks, you can make steady progress toward your objectives and reach your goals.
Keep reading for tips on how to boost your time management skills to ace your insurance exam.
1: Create a plan.
Use a planner, notebook, or digital tools to create a study schedule. Designate specific time slots for study sessions. This will help you stay on top of your coursework and avoid falling behind.
Organizing your time is especially important if you only have a few weeks to study from the time you enroll in an exam prep course to your scheduled test date.
2: Identify time wasters.
We all have time-wasting habits, and it’s important to know yours. It’s easy to procrastinate without even realizing it. For example, you might get an urge to check your email “just in case” something important comes through, even when it’s really not necessary.
Identifying time-wasting habits will help you to make conscious choices about how you use your time and find ways to redirect your focus.
3: Set achievable goals.
Establish clear goals to help you stay on course. The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) system can help you break down larger chunks (like course chapters) into smaller sections, helping you stay motivated.
4: Minimize distractions.
To combat distractions while studying, create a designated study space, mute or silence notifications on your phone and laptop, and consider using noise-canceling headphones to block out external disturbances. Apps like Forest can help gamify your focus during study sessions.
5: Take breaks.
Taking breaks may seem like a “waste of time,” but your brain can only absorb so much at once, especially complex insurance topics and terminology.
Try the Pomodoro Technique, where you study in intervals of 25-30 intervals, followed by a short break. This method can help improve concentration and enhance your ability to retain information during study sessions.
6: Reward yourself.
After finishing a study session or achieving a particular milestone, treat yourself to something you enjoy, whether it’s having a snack, watching a favorite TV show episode, listening to a podcast episode, or going for a walk in your favorite spot.
This positive reinforcement can help you stay motivated to keep going, knowing you get a little “treat” for your hard work.
7: Take notes.
Whether you prefer to take handwritten notes in your textbook or on flashcards or use a digital note-taking app, writing things down helps reinforce your learning.
Research shows that the act of physically writing things down on paper is most effective, since it forces your brain to process the information in a more detailed way. The information is more likely to “stick” in your memory.
Study for Your Insurance Exam with America’s Professor
America’s Professor has the courses you need to pass your state licensing exam. We offer comprehensive exam prep courses in dozens of states. Our experienced professor uses real-world examples and fun stories to keep you engaged and help you remember the material.
When you sign up for a course with America’s Professor, you’ll get instant access to streaming video lectures, followed by a hard-copy textbook in the mail. You’ll also get access to sample questions and practice exams to help you test your knowledge—and it’s all backed by our outstanding customer service.
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