The Great Japanese Struggle Log: Until I Pass N3

Bunpro
#1

:cherry_blossom: Japanese Study Log
A structured overview of my Japanese learning progress —

⚡ About Me

German learner who has been trying to study Japanese for several years.
Passionate about anime and Japanese culture.
Really wants to improve his Japanese to communicate even better with his girlfriend and her family.

:link: Bunpro Profile:

⚡ Why I Started This Study Log

I created this study log to share my experiences and document my ongoing journey of learning Japanese. Before starting this log, I completed both the A1 and A2 Japanese courses on Busuu, where I learned around 600 vocabulary words, fundamental grammar, and approximately 100 kanji.

With this foundation already in place, I wanted a dedicated space to track my progress more intentionally, reflect on my development, and stay motivated as I continue improving my Japanese step by step.

I would also be very happy to connect with others—whether through questions, conversations, or even finding potential study partners.

I plan to update this post once a month, so feel free to join me on this journey! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

⚡ Resources

Currently Using

  • Bunpro Deck (Bunpro N5 [Vocab])
  • Bunpro Deck (Bunpro N5 [Grammar])
  • Bunpro (JLPT Reading Practice)
  • Busuu until March 26 (Repeating A1 & A2 content)

Completed

  • Busuu Japanese A1 + Test
  • Busuu Japanese A2 + Test

(Add finished textbooks, courses, decks or series here.)

⚡ Current Stats

Started on December 1, 2025
Updated on January 19, 2026

Bunpro (SRS Stats)

Total Grammar Points

  • N5: 108 / 127 — 85%

Total Vocab

  • N5: 582 / 1100 — 52%
⚡ Current Routine
  • Bunpro: 8 vocab + 2 grammar points daily
  • Bunpro: At least 40 reviews (vocab & grammar)
  • JLPT Reading Practice: One lesson per week
⚡ Goals until end of 2026
  • ☐ Finish N5 & N4 vocab and grammar (Bunpro)
  • ☐ Successfully pass JLPT N5 & N4 practice tests with consistent accuracy (≥ 85%)
  • ☐ Hold simple conversations with my girlfriend without constantly switching back to German

Overall Goal:
:dart: Successfully pass the JLPT N3 by 2030

11 Likes
#2

Wow this is so thorough! And the way you structured all the info looks so aesthetic~~ :sparkles:

Good luck studying! U’ve got this :muscle:

3 Likes
#3

Thanks man! がんばれます！ :grin:

3 Likes
#4

Hello everyone!

It’s only been two weeks since I started studying with Bunpro, but I thought it was time to make a little post. I’m still studying two grammar points and eight vocabulary items a day.

Because I overdid it during the first two days and learned 200 vocabulary items, I now have a lot of daily reviews. Right now, I’m usually doing around 40–80 reviews a day, but I guess it’s going to take a while until they spread out a bit and my daily count goes down.

I should finish N5 by mid to late March if I don’t skip more than a couple of days (of course, I try to keep my streak and don’t skip a single day). It’s still a bit away, but I’m thinking of pushing N4 back until the beginning of May to make sure I can deepen my N5 knowledge as much as possible.

Have a great day!

3 Likes
#5

Hello everyone!

It’s been almost a month since I started my journey,
so I wanted to share my overall progress:

…
image
…

Except for the first two days—when I studied around 200 vocabulary words—I usually learn 10,
and sometimes 20, new words per day.
I’m also trying to do reading practice every week.

So far, I’m still having a lot of fun learning, and I really want to keep going.

I’ve also created a study plan until the end of 2026,
which I’ll post in the next couple of days.

If I follow my plan more or less consistently,
I should be able to finish N5 and N4 by the end of September 2026.

6 Likes
#6

You’re doing great man keep up the good work :muscle:

3 Likes
#7

Looking forward to seeing it! You’re doing really solid work. :+1:

4 Likes
#8

As promised the other day, here is my study timeline for 2026!

It’s built around daily goals, long-term review, and a couple mock exams at the end
— hopefully ambitious enough, but not completely delusional.

I wish everyone a great start into the new year!
If I mysteriously disappear until the end of January, it’s not burnout
— it’s just exam season at my university doing its thing.

Feedback is welcome!
…
JLPT Study Timeline 2026 (N5 → N4)
January – February (59 days)
Finish N5
• Complete all N5 grammar and vocabulary
:green_circle: → End of February: N5 content finished

March (31 days)
N5 Review and Consolidation
• Review all 103 N5 kanji using Anki
• Reinforce grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening
:green_circle: → Goal: N5 is solid and automatic

April – September (183 days)
Study N4
• 7 vocabulary words per day
• 1 grammar point per day
• 2 N4 kanji per day (using Anki)
• Regular reading and listening practice
:green_circle: → End of September: N4 content completed

October – December (92 days)
Mock Exam Phase + Review
• Grammar review
• Vocabulary review
• Kanji review with Anki (N5 + N4)
:green_circle: → Every Sunday: 1 bunpro mock exam under test conditions
Order:
• N5 mock exams
:green_circle: → at least 2 exams with a minimum score of 85%
• then N4 mock exams
:green_circle: → at least 4 exams with a minimum score of 85%

End Status 2026
:green_circle: → N5 very secure
:green_circle: → N4 completed and exam-proved
:green_circle: → Ideal foundation for N3 in 2027
…

3 Likes
#9

Hey guys,

quick update after three weeks. I’m still on track and just hit a 49-day streak <3
Things are a bit busy right now since I have a couple of exams coming up until the end of January, so I’m mostly just doing the minimum to stay consistent.

I’m still making progress, but I’ve noticed that I have way too many grammar points stuck at the beginner level. That’s on me. So instead of rushing ahead, I want to slow things down and focus more on reviewing in February.

If things keep going like this, I should be done around mid to late February, which gives me all of March to really focus on grammar review and solidifying my foundation.

1 Like