It often feels like there are never enough hours in a day to get things done. Making the most of your time is critical. From studying for exams, club meetings, and finishing that assignment on time before going out with your friends, time management actually matters in college. After learning that the hard way, here are some productivity hacks that I’ve incorporated into my daily life and trust me; they have made all the difference.
Create tomorrow’s schedule the night before
I once thought writing everything I need to do in my planner a week in advance was the best way to make sure I complete all my daily tasks. Wrong. In reality, things come up, you’ll feel lazy, and you won’t end up sticking to your schedule. It’s important to keep note of major commitments and assignments in advance, but don’t make it too detailed early on. Instead, set aside some time the night before and create a timely to-do list for yourself (and include relaxation time if you can). Pro-tip: having the right planner is a productivity game changer. And if you’re that serious about beating procrastination, check out the Productivity Planner.
Turn off notifications
Resisting the temptation to glance at your phone every five minutes is hard, I know. But let’s be honest, your time would be used much more efficiently if you weren’t checking your Facebook or Instagram feed so often. When you have things to get done, ‘airplane’ or ‘do not disturb mode’ is your friend.
Follow the 2-Minute Rule
David Allen, best selling author of Getting Things Done, created this life-changing habit for once-procrastinators like myself. If you can complete a given task in less than two minutes, do it immediately and move on. Simple. For tasks that require more time, add it on your to-do list.
Create self-imposed deadlines
This one seems simple in practice, but is often overlooked. I’ve lost track of the amount of times I had weeks to complete an assignment yet finished it the night before it was due. What was I doing during those few weeks? Watching Netflix, probably. Make use of your free time and start assignments early, it takes a load of stress off your mind and keeps you on track.
Visualize your goals
Write down your long-term goals and keep them in sight. One of the best ways to do this is to create your own vision board. The key to making a vision board work is to focus on how you want to feel, not the material things you want. Actually being able to look at your goals make them less intimidating and more attainable. Think about your goals in all aspects of your life: career, relationships, personal growth, and bring them to life.
Figure out when your productive time of day is
Some people are early-risers, some are night owls and I’m somewhere in the middle. Through trial and error, I learned that I am most productive in the morning to mid afternoon. Once the sun starts to set, my mind is ready to clock out. I create my class schedules with hours of free time in the morning and afternoon classes that end no later than 4pm. This way, I get my most important tasks out of the way early in the day and am more flexible in the evening. Reflect on your work habits and you’ll find a pattern of your own too.
Stay fit and eat clean
A healthy mind starts with a healthy body. Early morning workouts give you the energy you need to get your day started on the right foot. From a productivity standpoint, eating a protein-rich and low-fat lunch keeps your body alert for the rest of the day. Save the food comas for the weekend, they’ll slow you down.
Surround yourself with success
The people you associate yourself with shape who you are. Building a network of goal-oriented friends creates a realm of positivity, support and self-growth.
Stay motivated collegiettes!