What is the traditional order that a person needs for the study of Judaic Studies (Torah, Prophets, Midrash, Talmud etc.) during a person’s life?
Well, your question has both theoretical and a practical applications. First, the theory. The Talmud (Kiddushin 30a) requires us to divide our lives into thirds and devote those portions to each of Tanach, Mishna and Gemara. There are various opinions as to how to accomplish this in light of variables like our inability to know when we’ll die. Rashi suggests two days of each week for each study while Tosafos would have us divide up each day (with at least a token measure from each study). The Rabbainu Tam (himself, an author of Tosafos) feels that the Babylonian Talmud itself contains the right mix of everything and that we should concentrate exclusively on that.
However, practically, life is seldom so neat. There are many factors that should influence the creation of a learning schedule: your age, background, abilities, what resources are available to you in your city etc., etc. In addition, the Talmud very highly recommends group study so the needs and desires of your partner/s will also play a role. On top of all that, the Talmud (Avoda Zara 19b) tells us to concentrate our learning on the texts that we most desire to learn – they’ll stick better that way.
So you see, a learning schedule is a very personalized thing. Details will depend on your particulars and the particulars of your community (which, these days, might even extend to the Internet).
By the way, for an interesting look at the way one very special man created his life-long learning schedule, see the book The Meister Plan by Dr. Tuvia Meister. It’s not for everyone, but there’s lots there of value.
Boruch Clinton