Ah, mid-November. There’s assignments and exams coming out of your ears, a million other things to do (hello Christmas shopping) and eye bags so heavy they could sell for Gucci. At this stressful time of the semester, it can seem hard to keep on top of everything, but here’s the best tips to help you stay focused and en-route to that first-class degree.
Organisation
Organization really is key. Making lists are a great way of sorting out what needs to be done, and how much. For example, before you start each day, try to write down at least 3 things you hope to get done. This helps you focus without worrying about tomorrow or next week. It’s also really satisfying to tick the box afterwards.
Try to take ten minutes before the dreaded Monday morning alarm comes around to set out your goals and to-do list for the week. Even if it’s sitting down for ten minutes to write ‘’finish assignment 1’’, it’s something. It also gives you a bit more ease before heading to sleep and avoids those kind-racing thoughts.
You can make digital calendars that sync up with your phone via Google or by grabbing a cute planner and fluffy pen, old-school style. This will allow you to fill in all the dates where your assignments are due or big tests coming up.
Productivity tips
Find out during which time of the day and in which places you are most productive. It is ideal to have a desk separate from your bed so you can properly focus and get into the right mindset.
Try to set a specific time of the day for completing your assignments – and stick to it. Some people work better first thing in the morning, while others are complete night owls. This means removing all distractions and not scheduling any Zoom calls or Netflix binges during that time.
Motivation
Find a friend to go to the library with or just to catch up in general. You will feel more inclined to go do some work or finish up some difficult assignments when your friend is doing the same thing. It is also good because you are both hanging out and doing your own projects at the same time.
Due to the current situation it’s a little harder to find something to keep you going during these dark evenings. To get you through the day (or all-nighter, because Lord knows I’m not alone) try to set a little reward, like watching a new Netflix episode or having a face-mask and new fluffy socks night.
By using these tips and shrugging of any procrastination, there is no reason why us students can’t stay on top of things. It can be really stressful and frustrating to have so much due, but remember – it will all pay off eventually.