How I Passed the PMP Exam - #2 Study Schedule
November last year kicked off with a resounding success! I conquered the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, securing an 'Above Target' score (Yay, Alhamdulillah!) on my very first attempt after just four months of preparation. It's a journey that demanded strategic planning and dedication, especially while juggling a full-time job, like me.
As I reflect on my adventure, I realize that there was a careful strategy that I have planned and applied throughout my learning journey. So here’s my personal insights as we explore each chapter together.
To make this blogpost easier to digest, I am dividing this blogpost into few small chapters of 0-7 :
Chapter 0 : An Overview of PMP Journey (Read here)
Chapter 1 : Study Strategy (Read here)
Chapter 2 : Study Schedule (Current blog)
Chapter 3 : Study Materials
Chapter 4 : Study Progress
Chapter 5 : Study Tips
Chapter 6 : Exam Prep
Chapter 7 : Post Exam
Now, let’s dive in to an overview of the PMP exam preparations.
Creating and adhering to a study schedule is crucial for effectively preparing for the PMP exam, especially when juggling work and other responsibilities. In this chapter, I'll share my personal insights and tips on how to craft a study schedule that aligns with your working schedule, establish a study routine, and utilize tools like Kanban to track your progress.
Aligning with Your Working Schedule:
Balancing a full-time job and PMP preparation requires careful planning and time management. When creating your study schedule, consider your work hours, commute time, and any other commitments you have outside of work. Identify pockets of time during the day when you can dedicate to studying, such as early mornings, evenings, or weekends. By integrating study sessions into your existing schedule, you can ensure consistency and minimize disruptions to your daily routine.
Start with Fixed Commitments: Block out time for things you can't change, like work hours and family responsibilities.
Schedule Breaks and Rest: Allocate time for rest, meals, and other essential activities to keep yourself energized and focused.
Find Study Time: Deduct fixed commitments and rest time from your day to see how much time you have left for studying. This is your study time slot.
My Study Schedule & Study Routine
By following these steps, you can organize your day effectively to fit in study sessions while balancing other important aspects of your life.
Reference : Get More Done With Calendar Blocking
Creating a Study Routine:
Consistency is key when it comes to studying for the PMP exam. Establishing a study routine can help you stay on track and make steady progress towards your goals. Start by designating specific times and locations for your study sessions, whether it's a quiet corner at home, a local coffee shop, or a library. Stick to your study schedule religiously, treating each study session as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself. Over time, your study routine will become a natural part of your daily life.
Tracking Weekly Milestones with Kanban
This is my personal preference on how I keep track of my learning weeks. You can choose a different method if you like. The reason why I love using Kanban in tracking progress is because it’s a visual and flexible project management tool, I find it incredibly useful.
How I Track My Weekly Learnings
Create a Kanban board with columns such as "Todo," "In Progress," and "Done" to represent the stages of your study tasks. At the beginning of each week, set specific goals or milestones for what you aim to accomplish.
Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks, and allocate them to the "Todo" column.
As you work through your tasks, move them to the "In Progress" and eventually "Done" columns as you complete them.
This visual representation of your progress can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation as you see your tasks move from backlog to completion.
My Tips:
Utilize Pomodoro Technique: Break your study sessions into manageable chunks of time using the Pomodoro Technique (e.g., 25 minutes of focused study followed by a 5-minute break). This can help maintain focus and prevent burnout.
Stay Flexible: Life can be unpredictable, some of us a mothers and some of us just have other commitments in life, so it's essential to stay flexible with your study schedule. If unexpected events arise or if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to adjust your study plan accordingly.
Prioritize Self-Care: Remember to prioritize self-care and well-being amidst your study efforts. Make time for activities that recharge your batteries, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. A healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term success.
Sleep : During my PMP exam prep, I found myself sleeping longer than ever before. I realized that prioritizing my sleep was crucial because studying can really take a toll on your energy levels. Taking care of our brain cells means getting enough rest, and for me, that meant catching some extra Z's. There were days when I felt completely drained, and instead of pushing through, I listened to my body and hit the hay earlier. And you know what? It made a world of difference. So if you're feeling exhausted, don't hesitate to give yourself permission to hit the sack early. Your brain will thank you for it!
Crafting a study schedule that accommodates your working schedule, establishing a study routine, and utilizing tools like Kanban to track your progress are essential components of effective PMP preparation. By incorporating these strategies into your study approach, you'll be better equipped to stay organized, focused, and motivated as you work towards achieving your certification goals.
That's it for this week, folks. Catch you in the next chapter of #WawaPMPJourney!
Catch you later, and remember, “Everything is Workable!”
