14 Planning your study
Purpose and important information
Balancing life and study can be challenging due to competing priorities, workloads and deadlines. To be successful in your studies, it is essential to plan and maximise the time you’ve allocated to studying. Generative AI tools can assist you with common approaches to this, by helping you to set goals and create study plans. These tools can also help you to learn about time management techniques, study tips and strategies.
Important note: The strategies created by the generative AI tool may be general, and may not apply to your specific circumstances or study needs.
Prompt template
Note: The following prompt type is most suitable for language-based generative AI.
For this type of prompt, we recommend giving the AI tool a role which mimics a person who would have significant knowledge on this topic (e.g. an academic skills advisor). Then specify your role and/or provide additional detail (e.g. I am a student studying … / I have the following assignments coming up). In the prompt, specify the task, along with any specific requirements or parameters.
Simpler prompts can also be used to learn about effective study techniques.
Goal setting
Act as <a role>. I am an RMIT student studying <program name> over <number of years>. What should be my short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals?
Example prompt and output
The following example was tested in RMIT’s Val.
RMIT University. (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au. See Appendix 7 for prompt used and text generated.
Creating study plans
Act as <a role>. I have the following assignments coming up: <Subject 1> on <assignment due date>, <Subject 2> on <assignment due date>, and <Subject 3> on <assignment due date>. I have commitments on <date 1> and <date 2>. Create a study plan for me to follow to work on these assignments. Please include a lunch break on each day and display the plan in a table format.
The above prompt template can be adjusted to include additional information, such as:
- The number of hours you have free each day
- The subject and topic of each assignment
- Areas within the topic which you’re struggling with
- Other preferences relating to your study
Example prompt and output
The following example was tested in RMIT’s Val.
RMIT University. (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au. See Appendix 7 for prompt used and text generated.
Developing good study techniques
You can ask generative AI tools for examples of good study techniques, and you can also ask for explanations of specific study techniques.
Example prompt: What are some effective strategies for me to maximise my study time?
Follow-up prompt: Can you explain more about the Pomodoro technique?
Example prompt and output
The following example was tested in RMIT’s Val.
RMIT University. (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au. See Appendix 7 for prompt used and text generated.
