Writing an Effective Individual Semester Study Plan
Are you a student enrolled in MGT 4111 Project Management, ACC 4110 Accounting and Finance, or HRM 4110 Organizational Behaviour? If so, you’ve likely encountered the task of creating an Individual Semester Study Plan. In this article, we’ll break down the essential steps and tips to help you craft an effective study plan that meets the course requirements and sets you up for success.
Understanding the Assignment
The Individual Semester Study Plan assignment is a common task for students in these courses. It requires you to create a comprehensive study plan using MS Project, including all your course-related tasks, assessments, and due dates. Additionally, you’ll need to prepare an MS Word document in APA format that includes key references and a table showcasing your weekly schedule, accounting for any exceptions like study breaks. Finally, you must provide APA references for your course materials and other sources you use.
Key Components of the Study Plan
To create a successful study plan, you need to pay attention to the following key components:
1. Review the Course Schedule Information (CSI)
Start by thoroughly reviewing your course schedule information to identify due dates and the percentage grade allocation for each assessment. This step is crucial as it forms the foundation of your study plan.
2. Define Sub-Tasks
For each assessment, define at least three sub-tasks with all relevant details, such as duration and required resources. Utilize any duration algorithms provided in class and input these detailed tasks into MS Project.
3. Establish a Customized Calendar
Create a working calendar that accommodates in-class time, basic maintenance (e.g., sleep, groceries), and any other commitments like part-time jobs or relationships. This ensures that your study plan aligns with your daily life.
4. Outline Course Materials
List all the course materials you’ll need, including textbooks, tools (e.g., MS Project), online platforms (e.g., Brightspace), and lecture notes. Having a clear overview of your resources aids in planning your study schedule effectively.
5. Document Your Weekly Schedule
Create a table within your APA-formatted document that illustrates your weekly schedule. Include specific time blocks for each task, from attending classes to dedicated study sessions. Be sure to account for any exceptional weeks, such as study breaks or holidays.
6. Provide APA References
For academic integrity, include APA references for all your course materials and any other sources you reference in your study plan.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to enhance the effectiveness of your study plan:
Be Realistic: When allocating time for tasks, be realistic about how long they will take. Overestimating or underestimating can disrupt your schedule.
Prioritize: Identify high-priority tasks and allocate more time to them. Your study plan should reflect the importance of each assessment.
Flexibility: While planning is essential, be flexible. Life can throw unexpected curveballs, so leave room for adjustments.
Regular Updates: Periodically review and update your study plan to ensure it remains aligned with your progress and any changes in course materials.
Conclusion
Crafting an individual semester study plan for courses like MGT 4111, ACC 4110, or HRM 4110 is a structured way to manage your academic responsibilities effectively. By following the outlined steps and tips, you can create a study plan that maximizes your productivity and helps you achieve your academic goals. Remember to maintain discipline and adapt your plan as needed to stay on track throughout the semester.
Works Cited
Larson, E., & Gray, C. (2021). Project Management: The Managerial Process, eighth edition. McGraw Hill.
McShane, Tasa, & Steen, S. (2021). Canadian Organizational Behaviour, eleventh edition. McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
Braun, Tietz, & Beaubien. (2021). Managerial Accounting, fourth Canadian edition. Prentice-Hall.
Course-specific materials and guidelines provided on Brightspace. Individual Semester Study Plan Assign…
MGT 4111 Project Management Individual Semester Study Plan Assignment Overview
You will individually complete a semester study plan using MS Project. This plan must include all courses, assessments, and due dates. The plan must demonstrate project planning techniques and application of MS Project. In addition, you will submit a MS Word document in APA format that includes key references and a table illustrating your working weekly calendar and any exception weeks throughout the semester (ex. Study break). See the detailed instructions below and the Individual Semester Study Plan Assignment Assessment for the complete Assessment criteria.
1. Review the Course Schedule Information (CSI) to identify the due dates along with the percentage grade for: MGT 4111, ACC 4110 & HRM 4110. 2. Define at least three sub-tasks for each Assessment with all their details (ex. duration, resources) using the duration algorithm provided to you in class. Put those detailed tasks into MS Project. 3. Establish your customized working calendar that includes: a. In-class time b. Time for your basic maintenance (ex. sleep, groceries) c. Any other time commitments (ex. part-time jobs, relationships) 4. Outline your course materials: textbooks, tools used (ex. MS Project), MGT 4111 Brightspace, MGT 4111 lecture and any other sources you used in completing this assignment. S. Document your weekly schedule using a table in your APA formatted document. 6. Provide APA references for your course materials and any other references to sources you used. 7. Upload both of your project file and word document to Brightspace.
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Creating an Effective Individual Semester Study Plan
As a student progresses through their degree program, effective time management and organization become increasingly important for staying on track to graduate. Developing a comprehensive individual semester study plan can help students optimize their time and energy toward achieving academic success each term. A well-crafted plan maps out all course requirements and due dates, builds in time for studying and assignments, and allows flexibility for life’s inevitable surprises.
What to Include in a Semester Study Plan
The foundation of any good semester study plan is a detailed course calendar listing all important due dates. This includes exam dates, major assignment deadlines, smaller weekly tasks like readings or discussion posts, and any other assessments that contribute to the final grade. It is critical to block these dates out on a calendar, whether digital or paper-based, at the start of the term. This provides a clear overview of workload and avoids last-minute surprises (McCarthy, 2022).
In addition to due dates, the plan should estimate time needed for various academic activities. For example, a student may schedule 8 hours each week for readings, 2-3 hours for weekly assignments, and 12 hours spread over several weeks for a major term paper or project. It is realistic to schedule 1-2 hours of study for every hour spent in class (Palermo, 2022). Exam preparation should also be broken out, with more time allotted the closer it gets to the test date.
Self-care and breaks are another important element. Students should reserve time for meals, exercise, relaxation, and social activities. Burnout is a serious risk, so the plan must allow for recharging. Blocking out even 30 minutes a day prevents exhaustion (Lombardi, 2022). It is also wise to schedule meetings with professors, academic advisors, or tutors to stay on top of course expectations and catch any changes early.
Organizing Complex Projects
Large, multi-step assignments like research papers or projects require breaking work down into smaller, more manageable tasks. The plan can schedule these sub-tasks with interim deadlines leading up to the final due date. For example, a 10-page research paper may involve:
Week 3: Choose topic and find 3 potential sources
Week 5: Outline paper structure
Week 7: Write introduction and first body paragraph
Week 9: Complete draft for peer review
Week 11: Incorporate feedback and finalize paper
Breaking complex work into action items makes the workload feel less daunting and helps stay on track. It also allows time for unexpected delays without jeopardizing the final submission (Lombardi, 2022).
Building in Flexibility
No plan ever goes perfectly according to schedule. Life intervenes with unforeseen conflicts, illnesses may arise, projects take longer than planned—the list of potential disruptions is endless. It is critical for any study plan to incorporate some flexibility. One strategy is leaving buffer time between assignments in case more time is needed on one task. The plan could also build in “contingency days” each month for handling minor delays (Palermo, 2022).
Students should also meet regularly with their advisor, professor, or success coach to review progress and make adjustments as needed each term. Flexibility allows revising timelines or task schedules if challenges come up. An open dialogue also helps address any issues before they derail the entire semester (McCarthy, 2022). Overall, the most effective plans combine structure with room to adapt to life’s inevitable curveballs.
Staying Accountable and Motivated
For many students, having accountability partners or study groups provides motivation to stick to their semester plan. Meeting weekly with classmates working on the same courses ensures no one falls behind. Accountability partners can check in on task progress, quiz each other for exams, and keep each other motivated during challenging periods (Lombardi, 2022).
Students should also periodically review how closely their actual schedule adhered to the original plan. This self-Assessment helps surface issues like tasks taking longer than planned or unnecessary delays. Mid-semester adjustments can then get them back on track to meet all goals and deadlines (Palermo, 2022). Staying accountable through regular Assessment and enlisting social support systems fosters success.
In Conclusion
Developing a comprehensive yet realistic individual semester study plan sets students up for academic achievement by helping manage both time and energy. The key elements include mapping out all due dates, estimating time needs, scheduling breaks and contingencies, breaking large projects into steps, building in flexibility, and finding support systems. With regular review and adjustment, a well-crafted plan empowers students to optimize each term and progress steadily toward graduating.
References:
Lombardi, J. (2022, March 15). How to create an effective semester study plan. College Atlas. https://www.collegeatlas.org/how-to-create-an-effective-semester-study-plan homework help assignment writing service.
McCarthy, M. (2022, January 18). How to create a semester study plan. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-create-a-semester-study-plan-786818
Palermo, C. (2022, February 8). How to create an effective semester study plan. Best Colleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/effective-semester-study-plan/
____________________
WEEKLY SCHEDULE 2023-2024
(also known as Course Section Information)
MGT4111 Project Management
Sections 300 and 310 – Delivery Method hybrid, synchronous on campus
Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Professor’s Name: David Bedard
Contact: bedardd@algonquincollege.com
Learning Resources
Required Resources:
Larson, E., & Gray, C. (2021). Project Management: The Managerial Process, eighth edition.
McGraw Hill.
Connect.
MSProject.
Assessment Breakdown
Assessment Due Date and Time Value CLRs
Individual Assignment Week three 10% 1-2
Midterm Examination Week seven 30% 1,2,4
Team Project Plan Week ten 30% 1-5
Final Examination Final Examination period 30% 1-5
2
Learning Schedule
LEARNING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTIFICATION
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
CLRs
Week 1 MS Project Introduction to
course, assessments, and procedures
MS Project workshop
2
Week 2 Modern project
management
1 1, 2
Week 3 Organizational
strategy and project
selection
Individual Assignment: Semester Study
Plan in MSProject 10%
2 1,2
Week 4 Leadership: Being
an effective project
manager
10 4
Week 5 Managing project
teams
11 2
Week 6 Defining the project
Developing a project plan
Mid-term Examination preparation
4 and 6 2
Week 7 Mid-term Examination 30%
5 1,2,4
Week 8
Week 9 Estimating project
time and costs
Managing risk
5, 7 1,3,4
Week
10
Reducing project
duration
Team Project
Plan 30%
9 1-5
Week
11
Progress and performance management Assessment
13 4
Week
12
Project closure 14 1-4
Week
13
Introduction to agile
project management
15 4
3
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
CLRs
Week
14
International projects
Final Examination
preparation
16 1-5
Week
15
Examination Period Final Examination 30%
1-5
Other Important Information
• Connect is available for this course.
• MSProject is required for this course.
• Assessment overviews and Assessments are posted on Brightspace.
• Please see the School of Business and Hospitality Procedures file posted on the
Brightspace site as it governs this course.
_______________________
WEEKLY SCHEDULE 2023-2024
(also known as Course Section Information)
HRM4110 Organizational Behaviour
Sections 300, 301, 302, and 310 – Delivery Method hybrid, synchronous on
campus
Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Strategic Global Business Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Professor’s Name: Kathryn Hancock, Josee Larocque-Patton, and Paige Phillips
Contact: please see Brightspace for Professor’s coordinates
Learning Resources
Required Resources:
McShane, Tasa, & Steen, S. (2021). Canadian Organizational Behaviour, eleventh edition.
McGraw-Hill Ryerson ISBN 9781264160327.
Connect.
Assessment Breakdown
Assessment Due Date and Time Value CLRs
Test Week seven 25% 1,3,5
Team Case Week 14 25% 1-5
Team Presentation Week 14 15% 1-5
Final Examination Final Examination period 35% 1,3-5
2
Learning Schedule
LEARNING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTIFICATION
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Modules
CLRs
Week 1 No Class due to
Labour Day
Week 2 Individual
behaviour,
personality, and
values
Perceiving
ourselves and
others in
organizations
Course, procedures, and assignments overview
1 and 2 1,5
Week 3 Team dynamics In-class team
skills workshop
3 2,4,5
Week 4 Conflict and negotiation in the workplace
4 4
Week 5 Workplace attitudes, emotions
and stress
Communicating in
teams and
organizations
Foundations of employee motivation
Test Preparation 5 and 6 1,2, 5
Week 6 No class due to
Thanksgiving
Week 7 Test 25% 1,3,5
Week 8
Week 9 Leadership in organizational settings
7 4
Week
10
Decision making
and creativity
8 2
Week
11
Power and influence in the workplace
9 3
3
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Modules
CLRs
Designing organizational structures
Week
12
Organizational
culture
10
Week
13
Organizational
change
11 4
Week
14
Final Examination
preparation
Team Case
25%
Team Presentations 15%
1-5
Week
15
Examination Period Final Examination 35%
1-5
Other Important Information
• Connect is available for this course.
• Assessment overviews and Assessments are posted on Brightspace.
• Please see the School of Business Procedures file posted on the Brightspace site as it
governs this course.
______________________
WEEKLY SCHEDULE 2023-2024
(also known as Course Section Information)
ACC4110 Accounting and Finance
Sections 010 and 020 – Delivery Method synchronous on campus
Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Professors’ Names: Martin Amewugah and Rebecca Osei-Owusu
Contact: see Brightspace for Professors’ email
Learning Resources
Required Resource:
Braun, Tietz, & Beaubien. (2021). Managerial Accounting, fourth Canadian edition. PrenticeHall. ISBN 9780135443446.
Additional Reference and Supporting Resource:
MyLab Accounting
Assessment Breakdown
Assessment Due Date and Time Value CLRs
Team Assignment Week four 10% 2
Test I Week five 25% 1-3
Test II Week ten 30% 4
Final Examination Final Examination period 35% 1-7
2
Learning Schedule
LEARNING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTIFICATION
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
and Pages
CLRs
Week 1 Introduction to
finance and
accounting
Course, procedures, and assignments overview
Describe the purpose and objectives of financial
and management
accounting
Describe the main
concepts, techniques and conventions of financial accounting
1
Pages 1-27
1
Week 2 Introduction to
financial statements
Read balance
sheet
income statement
Introduction to
financial
statements
www.Sedar.
com
2
Week 3 Principle elements
of financial statements
Explain the interrelationships
Analyze the main
financial accounting reports including the balance
sheet, income
statement, analyze common
business transactions to determine
their effects on
the principal elements of financial
statements
www.Sedar.
com
2
Week 4 Analyze financial
statements
Calculate liquidity
ratios, profitability
Team Assignment 10%
2
3
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
and Pages
CLRs
ratios, asset ratios, debt ratios,
market
ratios
Week 5 Test I 25%
Week 6 The master budget Introduction to the
master budget
Describe the features and advantages of budgets, operating and
financial budgets,
and the preparation of cash budgets
Explain and prepare the operating
and financial
budgets, preparation of cash budgets and other
budgets in the
master budget
process
9
Pages 518–
548
4
Week 7 Budgets and
budgetary control
Explain static vs.
flexible budgets,
the use of variances in decisionmaking, management control systems, motivation
and control, nonfinancial performance measures,
balanced scorecard, cost centers
and profit centers,
measuring responsibility center
performance, develop budgets and
10
Pages 602-
623
4,5
4
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
and Pages
CLRs
controls for specific HRM activities
Week 8 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK
Week 9 Introduction to cost
behavior and costvolume relationships
Management
decision making
process
Describe cost
drivers, fixed and
variable costs,
contribution margin, cost-volumeprofit relationships
(break-even)
2
Pages 55–
80
4,5, 6
Week
10
Test II 30%
Week
11
Cost behaviour and
cost-volume relationships
The role of accurate
and relevant cost
information in management decision
making
Explain cost drivers, variable
costs, fixed costs,
contribution margin, break-even
point, cost-volume-profit (CVP),
analyzing
changes
3
Pages 111-
150
6
Week
12
Variable costing
income statement
Compute cost of
goods sold
Understand manufacturing overhead
Explain absorption costing, manufacturing overhead, direct and
indirect costs
4
Pages 185-
197
7
Week
13
Using cost information in decisionmaking
Distinguish between relevant
and irrelevant information for decision making purposes
8
Pages 455-
470
7
5
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Chapters
and Pages
CLRs
Discuss the importance of relevance in cost information relative
to cost accuracy
Describe the relationships among
the main elements
of the decisionmaking process
Describe how to
use cost information to decide
whether to accept
or reject a special
sales order, determine costs and
appropriate pricing, make “make
or buy” decisions
Conduct cost-benefit analysis
Week
14
Using cost information in decisionmaking
Describe how to
use cost information to make
“make or buy” decisions
Conduct cost-benefit analysis
Final Examination
preparation
8
Pages 455-
470
7
Week
15
Examination Period Final Examination 35%
1-7
Other Important Information
• MyAccountingLab is available for this course.
• Assessment overview and Assessment are posted on Brightspace.
• Please see the School of Business and Hospitality Procedures file posted on the
Brightspace site as it governs this course.
________________________
1
WEEKLY SCHEDULE 2023-2024
(also known as Course Section Information)
HRM4110 Organizational Behaviour
Sections 300, 301, 302, and 310 – Delivery Method hybrid, synchronous on
campus
Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Strategic Global Business Management Graduate Certificate Level 01
Professor’s Name: Kathryn Hancock, Josee Larocque-Patton, and Paige Phillips
Contact: please see Brightspace for Professor’s coordinates
Learning Resources
Required Resources:
McShane, Tasa, & Steen, S. (2021). Canadian Organizational Behaviour, eleventh edition.
McGraw-Hill Ryerson ISBN 9781264160327.
Connect.
Assessment Breakdown
Assessment Due Date and Time Value CLRs
Test Week seven 25% 1,3,5
Team Case Week 14 25% 1-5
Team Presentation Week 14 15% 1-5
Final Examination Final Examination period 35% 1,3-5
2
Learning Schedule
LEARNING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTIFICATION
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Modules
CLRs
Week 1 No Class due to
Labour Day
Week 2 Individual
behaviour,
personality, and
values
Perceiving
ourselves and
others in
organizations
Course, procedures, and assignments overview
1 and 2 1,5
Week 3 Team dynamics In-class team
skills workshop
3 2,4,5
Week 4 Conflict and negotiation in the workplace
4 4
Week 5 Workplace attitudes, emotions
and stress
Communicating in
teams and
organizations
Foundations of employee motivation
Test Preparation 5 and 6 1,2, 5
Week 6 No class due to
Thanksgiving
Week 7 Test 25% 1,3,5
Week 8
Week 9 Leadership in organizational settings
7 4
Week
10
Decision making
and creativity
8 2
Week
11
Power and influence in the workplace
9 3
3
Date Weekly Theme and
Learning Outcomes
Learning Activities Assessments
(%)
Due Date
Resources
Modules
CLRs
Designing organizational structures
Week
12
Organizational
culture
10
Week
13
Organizational
change
11 4
Week
14
Final Examination
preparation
Team Case
25%
Team Presentations 15%
1-5
Week
15
Examination Period Final Examination 35%
1-5
Other Important Information
• Connect is available for this course.
• Assessment overviews and Assessments are posted on Brightspace.
• Please see the School of Business Procedures file posted on the Brightspace site as it
governs this course.
