ALPEN Method

The ALPEN Method

The ALPEN method is a technique that can help you plan your tasks. It can be applied to the planning of an entire learning or writing phase as well as to the planning of a specific day.

In German, each individual letter of the ALPEN method stands for one aspect of the planning.

Note down all tasks

First collect all the material to be learned in the form of a list.
If you want to use the ALPEN method to plan a day, first collect all the tasks you want to do that day.

Plan the length of time

Now estimate how long you will need for the teaching content of each subject.
Make sure that your planning is as realistic as possible and that the time you need is not too short.

Include buffer times

You have already read that external or internal disturbances cannot be avoided. That's why we recommend a catch-up day.
In general, with good and realistic time management, it has proven useful to take only 60% of the available time for concrete learning content and to reserve the remaining 40% as buffer time.
So, if you plan a free buffer day as a catch-up day in your learning week, this should be roughly equivalent to the 60:40 rule.
To anticipate one thing: breaks are not a buffer!

Make decisions

Most of the time, it turns out that detailed planning is not possible without setting priorities.
This can be the case either because there is simply too much to be learned or because the time available is simply too short.

Follow-up check

Good time management is a highly complex competence that must first be acquired.
Therefore, at the end of a learning phase and initially also at the end of a learning day, you should take some time to look back: Were you able to complete all the tasks planned for the day? Did your schedule fit?
Through this follow-up check, you will become better and better at planning over time and thus be able to learn more successfully – without having to experience failure.

Ein Übersichtsblatt zur Alpen-Methode kannst du dir auch noch einmal ausdrucken oder gesondert abspeichern.
You can also print out an overview sheet of the ALPEN method or save it separately.

What experiences has ConnyConfused had with the ALPEN method?

“I really ran into difficulties when it came to distributing the learning materials over the learning plan.
I really do have problems with the catch-up day for sufficient buffer. But I guess that’s just the way it is. Still, I can understand that I will ultimately be under less stress if I reserve time for the unforeseen from the outset.
However, I find it really difficult to make decisions. Here I find it difficult both to prioritise between learning and other everyday tasks and to set priorities within the learning content. If there is something that I don't learn, I can hardly stand my guilty conscience.
But my biggest problem is: Creating such a weekly schedule takes ages! And I don't really have that much time.....”

Yes, creating a weekly schedule takes a lot of time - especially in the beginning. But it is ultimately time well spent. You will notice after a short time that learning based on a weekly schedule with its building blocks of breaks, days off, etc. will make your learning more effective. And you will certainly be more relaxed because you can rely on your learning plan.

In addition, you will certainly see that you will get more and more experience in creating these plans and that the planning process will speed up accordingly.
Because setting priorities is so important, but can often cause great difficulties, there is a separate chapter on this topic in this module, which is entitled “Setting Priorities”.