Anyone who knows me knows that I am the type of person who
thrives on routine, order, and organization. I like being productive and have
had to teach myself that it is ok to have days where I don't feel as efficient
as it causes me to appreciate time on task that much more. I have had
classmates tell me I am intimidating to approach since it seems like I am
always writing. My planner could easily be considered my lifeline at school and
my friends’ joke after doing things together that they are glad I had time to
schedule them in. All of that to be said, I enjoy being productive because of
the free time it allows me to have later on into my day. There are certainly
weeks where free time feels inexistent but when being productive works in my
favor I value the time it has allowed me to spend with others and do things I
am passionate about.
Over time I
have begun to realize what helps to make me more productive creating the most free
time for myself in the long run. Friends have asked me how I manage to "do
it all." While that's incredibly flattering it definitely isn't always the
case but I swear by these tips to help me accomplish all of my tasks in a
timely and productive manner.
Get up and get going.
Junior year has been
the year of becoming a morning person. From early morning fieldwork at schools
in Greenville, to working out before class, or studying at Starbucks before the
library opens I am so much more productive first thing in the morning. Setting
an early alarm has helped me to accomplish more before my classes even begin
for the day, which has helped to set myself up for a productive day. Grab a cup
of coffee and start tackling your to-do list first thing in the morning; you'll
be surprised by how much you can get accomplished.
Have a set morning routine.
Habits are a
wonderful thing. Waking up around the same time each day and starting your
morning in the same way will help you get through those daily and monotonous
tasks in a more efficient manner. The first thing I do when I wake up in the
morning is brush my teeth, make my breakfast, and make my bed. Doing these
things in the same order each morning helps me to start my day even if I'm not
fully awake right away. By making breakfast at the same time as making my bed I
am able to multi task while setting myself up for better concentration the rest
of the day.
Plan out your day.
As I mentioned, I
swear by my planner! I like having a general idea of what I have going on each
day so that I am able to schedule in additional time to get work done. Making
to-do lists are a great start to this as there is nothing more satisfying that
crossing something off that list. I wish I were kidding when I say it instantly
makes me feel more productive. On the flip side, not to-do lists are equally as
effective. Writing down things that limit your productivity on this list will
help to hold you accountable and not waste time throughout your day when you're
attempting to be productive.
Prioritize tasks.
As you're planning
out your day prioritizing your tasks based on what you need to get accomplished
first is a great way for me to begin the day feeling productive. Prioritize
tasks that are more time sensitive than others but if you need a little extra
motivation try to accomplish something on your to-do list that you know won't
take too long to do. By completing that task and checking it off your list
hopefully you will feel more inspired to continue being productive.
Take each task one step at a time.
I definitely have a
tendency to look at all I have to do and get a bit overwhelmed. I've learned
that I function best and am most productive when I focus on one task at a time
and even one part of that task at a time. Sometimes the big picture can be
overwhelming and discouraging but by doing this I am in control of making each
thing more manageable.
Keep it clean.
Whether you're
working in your room or in the library you're bound to be more productive when
it is easier for you to find all of the materials you need quickly without the
distraction of clutter. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your study time
to organize your surroundings so that they don't prevent your productivity.
Know when to take a break.
Taking a break can be
a hard thing to do especially when you feel as though you're on a roll. There
are all sorts of different suggestions for how long you should work before
taking a break but I really think it depends on the person and what they are
looking to accomplish. If you're taking breaks more frequently try to time them
and stick to the break time pretty specifically to avoid getting too off task
but know that in order to continue being productive in the time to come your
mind needs to have a bit of time to think about something else.
Eliminate distractions.
Similarly to keeping
it clean, eliminating distractions is a great way to make sure that you are
being productive without worrying too much about your surroundings. My guess is
that for most high school and college student’s distractions come in the form
of technology. If you need to be on your computer or keep your phone nearby
utilize apps that help limit what you're able to do. Self Control is my
favorite computer app that helps to keep me productive while avoiding online
shopping, netflix, blogs, or anything else that may take away from getting my
assignments done. For my phone, I prefer to put it on airplane mode or charge
it up while I am trying to stay focused. Only looking at it during breaks helps
me to accomplish my assignments in a more efficient manner and have more time
to do those things if I so please later on in the day.
Find a change in scenery.
Sometimes when
studying I can start to feel stuck especially when I have been in the same
place for an extended period of time. Finding a new place on campus or even off
campus is a great way to refocus your mind in order to be more productive. I
also like to find a change of scenery sporadically during the week, as I get
antsy being in the same place for too long. Whether that is to go and workout,
grab a meal with a friend, or go for a drive it always helps me to clear my
head and come back to my work more focused.
Get enough sleep.
I may not be the best
one to give advice on this matter however this year especially I have learned
to value a goodnights sleep. While it certainty helps you to wake up more
refreshed I find myself much more productive when I am not fully reliant on
coffee to keep my eyes open while studying. Falling asleep on your books in the
library definitely isn't ideal nor is it productive so try to avoid that by
getting the amount of sleep your body needs to keep you accomplishing tasks all
day long.
With finals at the
end of this week and needing to be equally as productive this weekend to pack
up my apartment I know I'll be doing my best to follow these tips as the
semester winds to a close. I'd love to hear any additional tips you may have
for staying productive and hope that these help you to finish your semester
strong!
