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Managing your time well is essential for the Extended Essay. Without a clear plan, it is easy to feel rushed or overwhelmed, so creating intentional study habits helps you stay calm and in control.
Your brain works best when you focus on one thing at a time. Avoid multitasking and set aside dedicated study blocks where you give your full attention to the EE.
Good time management is about working at the right time, with the right level of focus, in the right environment. The strategies below will help you build strong and sustainable habits throughout your EE journey.
Study Hygiene:
Study Hygiene:
Create a Distraction-Free Space:
Choose a quiet area where you can focus. Block off time in your calendar specifically for studying; this is called time blocking.
Prepare Yourself:
Take a shower and brush your teeth to feel refreshed.
Dress in comfortable clothing, like sweatpants and a big T-shirt. Keep a cozy hoodie nearby in case you get cold.
Limit Digital Distractions:
Turn off your email notifications.
Block access to social media.
Put your phone on airplane mode to avoid interruptions.
Close any irrelevant tabs on your browser to stay focused.
Organise Your Workspace:
Clear your desk of clutter.
Ensure all necessary materials (pen, paper, etc.) are within reach.
Have water and a healthy snack nearby.
If you prefer music while studying, choose instrumental tracks to avoid distractions from lyrics.
Pomodoro Technique:
Pomodoro Technique:
Each interval is called a "Pomodoro."
25 minute study interval
Short (active) break
25 minute study interval
They can use a timer to do this.
After 4x25 minute study sessions, a longer break is needed.
2 x 25 min sessions are more effective than a 60 minute session
**This won't work for all students when it comes to essay writing - some may find longer uninterrupted sessions work best for them**
Deep Work:
Deep Work:
A Deep Work session is a focused period of time where you work on a cognitively demanding task without distractions. The idea comes from Cal Newport’s book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. I have a copy if you'd like to read it.
🚀 Eliminate all distractions (no phone, social media, notifications, or multitasking)
🚀 Set a clear goal for the session (e.g., "Write 500 words of my EE introduction")
🚀 Work with full focus for a fixed time (usually 60–90 minutes)
🚀 Take a proper break afterwards
⏱️ Example Deep Work session structure:
🤚 Prep (5 mins): Clear your desk, close tabs, set your phone on "Do Not Disturb"
💪 Work (60 mins): Write your literature review section or analyse data
🧘 Break (15–20 mins): Move around, stretch, eat, or rest your brain
Time Blocking
Time Blocking
Time blocking means setting specific times in your week for Extended Essay work. Instead of waiting for a free moment, you decide exactly when you will work and protect that time.
It is one of the easiest ways to stay consistent and avoid last-minute stress; it's the first thing I do at work when I start to feel overwhelmed...
Why it helps
⏱️ Removes the pressure of deciding when to work
⏱️ Prevents rushing at the end
⏱️ Supports single-task focus
⏱️ Fits neatly alongside other school commitments
⏱️ Builds a steady routine
How to do it
Step 1
Choose two or three times each week when you can work without interruptions.
Step 2
Add these times to your calendar. Treat them as fixed appointments.
Step 3
At the start of each block, set a simple intention, for example:
⏱️ “Read one article.”
⏱️ “Write one paragraph.”
⏱️ “Summarise my notes.”
Step 4
Stop when the block ends. Note what you did and what you will do next.
Quick tips
Keep blocks short and realistic
Use a timer
Let others know you are working
Pair time blocking with a tidy workspace for best results
Energy Management
Energy Management
Energy management means planning your work around the times of day when you focus best. When you match your EE work to your natural energy levels, you get more done in less time and your thinking is clearer. There is a reason I arrive to work early!!
Why it helps
🤯 You work faster and with better focus
🤯 Hard tasks feel less draining
🤯 You avoid forcing deep thinking when you are tired
🤯 Your study time becomes far more effective
How to do it
Identify your peak times
Notice when you feel most alert. Some students work best in the morning, others in the afternoon or evening.
Schedule harder tasks for high-energy moments
Use these times for reading, analysing, or writing.
Use low-energy moments wisely
When you are tired, choose lighter tasks such as:
💆 organising notes
💆 skimming an article
💆 checking references
💆 reviewing feedback
Protect your sleep 🥱
Staying up late reduces the quality of your thinking the next day. Good sleep is part of good time management.
Plan breaks before you feel drained 🥱
Short, regular breaks help you maintain your energy for longer.
Quick tips
💁 Do your EE during your natural “brain on” hours
💁 Avoid forcing demanding work when you are tired
💁 Eat and drink before long sessions
💁 Pay attention to what boosts your focus and what drains it
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