JC, IB, or polytechnic are rigorous courses, and managing your ACT prep along with these courses can be a challenging task. Between tutorials, CCAs, project deadlines, and revisions, adjusting the ACT prep can be a little tricky. This suggests that your weekdays are jam-packed. But does that mean you need to sacrifice your weekends as well? The answer is no; with the right planning, mindset, and tools, you can manage your ACT prep alongside your coursework and still enjoy your weekends. In this blog, we will discuss how you can manage your ACT Prep alongside such courses without sacrificing your weekends.
1. Know your target score
Before you start to make a plan, knowing your target score is essential. You can make your schedule accordingly by analyzing the amount of practice and hard work you need to put in to target your desired score. Once you know how much improvement you need based on the difference in scores between your previous ACT or an ACT mock test that mimics the real ACT and your target score.
Once you know this, you can estimate the amount of time and practice you will require. For example, let’s say for an improvement of 1 mark you will require 10 hours, or for 2-3 marks you will require 40 hours. Similarly, you can divide these hours into weeks that are left before your ACT and plan accordingly.
2. Use the Power of Micro-Studying (15–20 Minutes a Day)
Managing your time with your weekday schedule can be a tough job. For a valuable prep without costing your weekends, you should try making progress with micro sessions. Analyse the areas of your strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly. Let’s say you are weak in grammar and maths, then adjust your micro sessions in a way that you can recall all the grammar rules and practice maths problems every day.
Use these time slots:
- Morning commute: Review vocab flashcards or read an ACT passage
- Breaks between lectures or tutorials: Tackle 3–5 ACT Math questions
- Post-CCA evenings: Watch a short ACT prep video or revise a grammar rule
3. Slot ACT Prep Into Existing Study Blocks
Already have a study routine? Great. Adjust your ACT Prep hours in your study plan. You can try swapping a slot of one school subject for once or twice a week. For example:
- Replace a weekday revision slot (e.g., Thursday 7–8 PM) with ACT English practice
- Use one general study period to take a timed ACT Science mini-test
This way, you don’t need any extra time, and you can adjust your ACT prep into your already weekly schedule.
4. Set a Weekly Focus Plan
With the already hectic coursework in JC, IB, and Poly avoid setting the daily goals; instead, set weekly goals. This is a more realistic approach with the rigorous coursework, and it helps you stay motivated.
Example:
- Week 1: Focus on ACT English grammar rules
- Week 2: Practice Reading passages + time management
- Week 3: Review Math formulas + speed drills
Sticking to the plan is equally important, so be true to yourself and stay consistent
5. Make a realistic study plan
Setting up unrealistic goals can lead to mental breakdowns and a lack of self-confidence. Set a study plan that will help you complete your daily ACT prep targets with a focused mindset to increase your efficiency in ACT Prep.
- Adjust your timings in a way that you get concentrated study hours
- Make time for fun to freshen up your mind
6. Protect Your Weekends With a Hard Cut-Off Rule
Keep your weekends free. The weekends are for refreshing yourselves so that you can stay motivated throughout the weekdays. If you have already completed your weekly goals, then you will be guilt-free for taking the weekends off. So preserve your weekends with a hard cut-off rule.
7. Share your plan
Sharing your plan with someone reliable keeps the accountability towards your study plan and preparation. It could be a parent, sibling, tutor, study partner, or any other friend who could help you in tracking your study plans. This will help you stay motivated throughout your prep with genuine feedback and support. There are also various apps available online that help you share and track your study plan.
- Share with someone who doesn’t compare your scores
- Share the plan with a tutor or friend; they can help find better strategic plans
- Sharing in a friend’s group can help you stay competitive and motivated
8. Keep track of your plan
Evaluating the plan is equally important as making a plan. If you find yourself juggling with your schoolwork and curriculum, then your study plan isn’t efficient for you, and you need to make adjustments. You should regularly track your plan and move forward with the same plan only when you see improvements and the right balance between ACT prep and schoolwork.
- Your schoolwork and extracurricular activities are equally important for your college
- Set a plan that works better for you
- Identify your peak focus time
9. Make Use of School Holidays Strategically
Singapore school terms can be intense, but there are study breaks throughout the year. Use just 2–3 days during holidays to:
- Take a full-length ACT mock test
- Review your weaker sections in detail
- Try out new strategies
Conclusion
Yes, managing the ACT prep with the challenging coursework, such as JC, IB, or poly, can be a tough task, but with the right study plan and focused learning, you can target your desired scores. With the ACT score, your academic grades and extracurriculars also play a significant role in your college applications; hence, your coursework cannot be compromised during the ACT preparation. This suggests you need the right balance between your ACT prep and your coursework. Along this journey, you should be consistent with your study plan and stay motivated. Sacrificing your weekends isn’t necessary; consider the suggestions in this blog and protect your weekends while still excelling in your ACT.
How can The Princeton Review help you fit your ACT prep into your JC/IB/Poly timetable?
1. Customized study plans – The customised plans are tailored to your preparation and your schedule. These plans help you balance your coursework with your ACT prep.
2. Flexible schedules- The Princeton Review offers the course in different formats, such as in-person, live online classes, and self-paced programs. This flexibility helps you manage your demanding coursework and ACT prep.
3. On-demand lessons- Recorded video lessons make it easier for you to adjust your schedule alongside your academic timetable.
4. Expert Instructors- Well-trained and highly experienced tutors guide you with strategic plans that are tailored to your progress and weaknesses. They also help you with tracking your progress throughout the preparation and setting an efficient study plan for you.
5. Progress Tracking- Various tools are available to monitor and track your performance. With this, you can also adjust your study plan accordingly and avoid an extra weekend load.
6. Ongoing support & resources- Support and reliable resources from trained experts keep you motivated throughout your journey.
7. Authentic Practice Tests- Full-length practice tests mimic the actual ACT and help you track your preparation. These practice tests also help you with time management for your real ACT.