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Your First Two Minutes with EstudyLog

You didn’t download EstudyLog just to watch a timer run. You downloaded it to understand how you learn — and improve it with data. Follow the steps below to get set up fast, so the Insights can start working for you.

By EstudyLog • Published Dec 15, 2026 • Updated Jan 10, 2026

Step 1

Add your course

A course in EstudyLog is more than a name — it’s how the app connects your time to real progress.

The syllabus trick (don’t skip this)

Before you hit save, paste your course outline from your syllabus. This is how EstudyLog extracts topics and builds your coverage map. If you don’t have a syllabus, write your topics separated by commas.

Pro Tip: Tag a topic when starting a timer to unlock “studied vs not yet studied” topic coverage inside the course page.

Key dates (helps the grade calculator)

Add your midterm dates and final exam date (an estimate is fine). These dates help EstudyLog plan what needs attention sooner.

Pro Tip: After your first midterm, tap the graduation cap inside the course page to enter weights and grades.

Step 2

Log with intent

Garbage in, garbage out

If you only log “Studying,” the app can’t learn your habits. When you start a timer, do two things:

  • Pick the session type: Reading, Practice, Review, or Assignment.
  • Tag the topic: so later the app can show what you ignored, not just what you touched.

Pro Tip: The course page includes a “Time by type” graph so you can see if you’re stuck in reading mode.

Step 3

Notes + rating

Add notes (future you will thank you)

Tap the timer card during a session and write what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what needs review next time. Your notes stay attached to that exact session.

Pro Tip: You can pause or finish the timer from the note screen, and the timer stays visible at the top.

Rate your focus honestly

Your 1–5 rating is what powers Insights. A 5 means you were locked in. A 2 means the session felt distracted. Over time, this becomes your Peak Hours chart.

Step 4

Read your analytics

Find your peak hours

Look for the strongest bars in the Time-of-Day chart, then schedule your hardest topics in that window. Read more →

Use the streak + volume charts daily

Your calendar heatmap shows gaps early. If a weak week is forming, you can fix it before deadlines force panic.

Quick Summary

You’re ready

  • Add a course and paste your outline so topics get generated automatically.
  • Start a timer, pick a session type, and tag the topic you worked on.
  • Add notes if needed, then rate your focus (1–5★) when you finish.
  • Open Insights to find peak hours, consistency patterns, and coverage gaps early.

Best results: log 5–7 sessions across different days. That’s when your patterns start to become real.

Next

Want to go deeper? Biological Peak Hours →  •  FAQ →  •  Contact Support →