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Activity as Preparation: What Students Need Before They Begin
PAWS
A for Activity — Creating Space for the Things That Matter
If you’ve been following along over the past few weeks, you’ll know that I’ve been exploring what I have named the PAWS framework — Pause, Activity, Write, and Set boundaries. We’ve spent time unpacking the value of the P for Pause, and now we move into the next letter: A for Activity.
“Activity” doesn’t mean being busy or adding more tasks to an already full schedule. Instead, it’s about intentionally choosing actions that support your wellbeing, sharpen your thinking, and create space for growth. For some people, this looks like movement or exercise; for others, it’s a reflective activity, such as doing a brain dump before bed to prevent a restless night of overthinking. What counts as relaxing or restorative will look different for everyone — and that’s exactly the point.
Over the next two weeks, we’ll explore a range of activities you can try. Some are simple and reflective; others build skills, structure, and confidence — especially if you’re studying or preparing to study.
But before we look at new activities, we return to an important first step.
The Five‑Day Logbook
To begin this week, I invite you to complete the five‑day activity recording exercise. There’s a free downloadable PDF to guide you.
At first glance, the task may seem too simple to matter — recording what you do, hour by hour, for five consecutive days. But after years of facilitating this activity across executive programs, schools, universities, and workshops, the feedback is remarkably consistent:
- “I didn’t realise how much time I lost to scrolling.”
- “I always said I didn’t have time — but now I can see I do.”
- “I didn’t know how much of my week slipped into activities that weren’t actually helping me rest.”
- “I discovered pockets of time I didn’t think existed.”
This activity isn’t about judgment — it’s about awareness. We often think we have “no time,” but in reality, time is frequently hidden beneath mindless scrolling, binge‑watching, gaming, or habits done on autopilot. These aren’t “wrong” — entertainment has its place — but the goal is to notice how much time they take and whether that trade-off aligns with what we actually want.
Once you’ve completed the activity recording, you’ll have a clearer picture of where your time goes — and where you can make room for something that genuinely supports you.
After completing the logbook, consider the following:
- What surprised you about how you spend your time?
- Which activities supported your well-being?
- Which activities drained your energy or added stress?
- Where did you notice “hidden pockets” of time?
- What small activity could you introduce next week?
For Those Studying (or Thinking About It)
This week, our focus is on activities that support people who are studying or thinking about returning to study.
If this is you, you’re not alone. I’ve spent many years working with vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and I’ve also been an adult student myself — juggling parenting, relationships, work commitments, and study deadlines. These lived experiences shaped the motivation behind my doctoral research, which explored the transformational experiences of adult postgraduate students who enter study without a traditional undergraduate pathway.
Across all my work, I’ve seen that growth doesn’t happen because we find more time — it happens when we choose to use our time differently. Few things demand intentional planning quite like study.
Are You Prepared to Study?
There’s a conversation I’ve had more times than I can count with students early in their learning journey. I start with an analogy:
If you were going to run a marathon — say the Sydney City to Surf — what would you do to prepare?
The responses are predictable and sensible:
- Buy good running shoes.
- Buy appropriate running gear.
- Start training
- Join a running club
- Find a coach
- Run with friends for motivation.
- Eat healthier
- Watch YouTube videos for advice.
- Listen to experts
- Get AirPods so they can listen to music or podcasts during training.
We then break down the cost of entering the race, travelling, accommodation, meals, and incidental expenses. Everyone agrees: Preparation is essential — and worth the investment.
Then I ask:
What have you done to prepare for your course of study — something that may last one to six years and cost far more than a single marathon event? Usually, the room goes quiet.
Many students admit they haven’t prepared at all — except buying the textbook or a new laptop, and maybe some stationery.
Studying effectively is not about “trying harder.” It’s about preparing wisely.
Activities That Make Studying Easier
Below are practical activities — grounded in research and lived experience — that can make a profound difference.
1. Use a diary (Paper or Digital)
Download your subject outline and map out:
- Class times
- Assessment due dates
- Online seminars
- Weekly reading or study time
The time spent in class is only a fraction of what’s required. Set specific study blocks to avoid last-minute stress.
2. Learn your tools before you need them
Many students wait until assessment week to learn basic computer skills. A better activity is to build these skills early. Learn how to:
- Create an auto table of contents
- Insert page numbers, footers and headers
- Add charts and tables, and create a list of figures and tables
- Referencing tools – There are many. Your education provider should be able to assist you – try EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero.
- Formatting basics – read the assessment requirements carefully.
If your institution offers workshops — go.
If they’re online — join.
These skills save hours when it matters most.
Take time to learn how to use the following:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Canva – great for all types of documents, presentations, and much more.
If you can’t attend workshops, explore YouTube where there are many free tutorials.
3. Master Research and Referencing
Knowing how to find credible information is essential.
When reading academic papers, you’re learning:
When reading academic papers, you’re learning:
- The content
- How arguments are structured
- How citations are used
- What “credible” looks like
- What current research says
- How things have changed or not changed, as the case may be
- How the research was conducted
Pay attention to which referencing style your subject requires — Harvard, APA, or others — as these vary between institutions and even units. Practice referencing correctly from the start.
4. Develop a Reading Routine
Expect more reading than anticipated.
Start with:
- Daily reading in small blocks
- Clear notes
- Well-labelled digital folders to store articles or other PDFs
Reading becomes easier with practice, but only if done consistently.
5. Store Everything Safely
Never keep assessments on your desktop only.
Use cloud storage, or whatever your institution provides. Losing work at the last minute is avoidable.
Use cloud storage, or whatever your institution provides. Losing work at the last minute is avoidable.
6. The Due Date Is Not the Do Date
An essential activity for study success is planning ahead:
- Start early
- Research thoroughly
- Allocate time for multiple drafts.
- Practice presentations
- Proofread
Last-minute work reduces quality and increases stress.
7. Treat Group Work Like a Project
Group work succeeds when it’s organised:
- Meet early
- Set agendas
- Agree on communication methods.
- Allocate roles
- Set clear internal deadlines.
Good collaboration doesn’t “just happen” — it’s built intentionally.
Activity as a Form of Empowerment
When used intentionally, activities create momentum. They build confidence, skill, and clarity — not just for study, but for life more broadly.
The goal of PAWS isn’t to overwhelm your schedule. It’s to help you align your actions with your intentions.
Activity becomes powerful when it is chosen, not when it is added by force.
This week, try one or two of the activities above — gently, intentionally, and without pressure. And if you haven’t already, download the free five‑day activity record. Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.