This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emerson chapter.
Universities closed and moved to online teaching, businesses locked and shuttered, and New York City sidewalks bare and emptied seemed just like something out of an apocalyptic sci-fi movie just three weeks ago. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has made this our new, stressful reality, leaving us locked indoors, fidgeting with Zoom classes, phone call appointments, and maddening free time. For many of us, our bedrooms aren’t exactly the most productive spaces, and doing work in bed means an hour-long nap at the very least. Here are five tips to maximize time and create a more productive work environment at home.
1. Set up a consistent sleep schedule.
Emily Veith
The first week of quarantine was probably the messiest week I’ve had my senior year as I slept at 4 a.m. and woke up near noon. Knowing you can roll out of bed and tune into a Zoom meeting in less than 10 minutes can tempt you into hitting snooze for the fifth time. Keep your sleep schedule as it would be if classes and work were still in-person. Set up a reasonable time to wake up and stick to it as much as possible. Having consistency in the very first part of your day can help you feel grounded and slowly ease you into this new, unfamiliar routine.
2. Dress as if you were going out.
I know it seems strange to swap out your home shirts and sweatpants for jeans that you’ve exclusively worn on first dates, but hear me out. Dressing up and maybe even doing your makeup can be therapeutic and will instantly make you feel more put together and ready to tackle the day. As an added bonus, you look awake and more presentable for Zoom meetings. The key to being productive at home really is to make yourself feel like you aren’t there.
3. Try not to do work on your bed.
Photo by Kate Stone Matheson on Unsplash
You associate your bed with sleep and relaxation, so it’s important to stay the farthest from it when doing work. Doing work away from your bed can also make your sleep more restful. Find or create your own physical work space where you know you can focus the most. Try working from your living room or kitchen, or if you are adamant about staying in your room, create a sectioned-off study area with a desk and table or an armchair.
4. Create to-do lists.
When school and work no longer feel tangible, it’s easy to feel lost and drifty. Writing up to-do lists maps out your day and creates solid goals for you to attain. Crossing things off also feels extremely satisfying and even reassures you that you’re being productive.
College made me associate work with coffee, so making myself a cup at home really puts my brain into gear. A sip of coffee turns that boss b*tch switch on, and it’s become a necessary tool to function in the morning. Even if coffee isn’t your thing, making yourself a matcha latte, some tea, or pouring yourself some juice can help in setting up your mind for work. I also like to think of it as a little treat to myself for staying on task.
