2025 marks the opening of my journey for N2. The goals I wrote this past year were a bit vague, and not SMART. I want to be a bit more specific this round, so I can make measurable progress and have tangible items to work toward.
Here’s what I’d like to do this year:
- Take the N2 in December.
- Read 2 novels (at least).
- Watch 2 shows (at least).
- Listen to a Japanese podcast on the way to or from work each day.
- Read a news article in Japanese on weekdays.
- Maintain steady progress through Wanikani, ~14 days on each level.
- Finish learning the remaining 455 Anki cards in my deck.
- Continue building Anki with any words I mine. Learn ~10 new terms on weekdays (~20 cards).
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How I will meet these goals:
(1月〜6月）
Immersion focus.
| Schedule | Practices |
|---|---|
| Daily | Wanikani, Anki |
| Weekdays | Podcast, Article |
| Weekly | Tutoring N2 Grammar |
| Other | 2 novels, 2 TV shows, |
The first half of this year (1月〜6月）is going to be heavy on immersion. I am going to read my first novel, 西の魔女が死んだ, in sections. I will also focus heavily on reading a daily article, listening to a daily podcast, and watching through 2 TV shows. I’m hoping for this first half to be very fun with lots of content aligning with my interests! Words I end up mining will be added to my Anki. I’ll be making a little schedule.
The goal for this year is 2 novels, which may seem low, but I’ve never done it before so I don’t want to overdo it. If I start reading faster, I will certainly aim to read more.
I will be meeting my tutor weekly, and we will likely start going through the Kanzen N2 grammar next (any other recs for an N2 grammar book?).
(7月〜12月）
N2 Focus.
| Schedule | Practices |
|---|---|
| Daily | Wanikani, Anki |
In July I will evaluate my progress and come up with a more concrete plan for passing the N2. Likely will involve the Kanzen books + practice tests.
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Thus established, I’d like to create a little study plan for each month, as it was helpful to have a visual curriculum this past year.
1月
For January, I will spend the first 2 days catching up on my WK and Anki, as well as setting up my planner and study notebook for the month. Next, I divided 西の魔女が死んだ into sections of 10 pages a day, 4 days a week. On the day where I’m not reading, I’ll watch an episode of a (yet undetermined) TV show. Besides those 2 bigger plans, I’ll be reading an article, listening to a podcast, finishing my Anki and WK reviews daily.
I’m most nervous about this reading schedule. I was able to complete the JLPT N3 reading section in a reasonable amount of time, so I’m hoping 10 pages is a feasible goal. It will be interesting to see how much of a time commitment that looks like.
Things I must do to prepare: write out my schedule, load a podcast, catch up on AK and WK.
Ok. January has been planned. This is going to take a lot of discipline. I’m equipped with my ADHD meds and I’ll do my best!