How to Build a Weekly Study Routine That Actually Sticks
"Build an ISA exam study routine that works around a full-time job. Templates for 30-min, 1-hour, and 2-hour daily study blocks."
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Most people start studying like they start a New Year's resolution: 100mph for week one, and then... nothing.
To pass the ISA exam, you need the "Slow Burn" approach.
1. Habit Stacking
Attach studying to something you already do.
- Bad Goal: "I will study at 6pm." (You'll be hungry/tired).
- Good Goal: "I will read 5 pages immediately after I pour my morning coffee."
- Why it works: The coffee is the trigger. The reading just happens.
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Explore Tree Nerd Academy →2. The "Seinfeld Strategy"
Jerry Seinfeld's advice to comedians: "Don't break the chain."
- Get a big wall calendar.
- Mark an X every day you study even for 10 minutes.
- After 3 days, you have a chain. You won't want to break it.
3. The Sunday Review
This is the most important appointment of the week.
- Time: Sunday, 10:00 AM.
- Task: Look at your calendar for the upcoming week.
- Question: "When will I be tired? When will I work late?"
- Action: Schedule your study blocks around reality, not fantasy.
4. Eliminate Decision Fatigue
Don't sit down and ask "What should I study?" You will waste 10 minutes deciding.
- Decide on Sunday: "Monday is Soil. Tuesday is Pruning."
- When you sit down, you just execute.
Summary
Routines beat willpower. Build the machine, and let the machine get you to certification.
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About the Author
Chris Comer is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) and founder of Joshua Tree Inc. (Florida License FL6714B). He created Tree Nerd Academy to help arborists pass the ISA exam with expert instruction, 2,500+ practice questions, and a full pass guarantee.