As the new semester starts, we usually feel on top of things: constantly updating our planners, doing our homework sooner rather than later, and even making time for things like the gym or hanging out with friends. However, as our classes become more challenging, we often slowly start to lose those feelings of productivity and motivation. It starts getting dark outside earlier. We have too much homework to have time for the gym. We find ourselves too tired at the end of the day to work on anything besides what absolutely must be done before tomorrow.
This change is completely normal. However, it is also avoidable. If you want to find yourself in November still feeling as productive as you did when the semester first started, read along for some tips.
- go to bed earlier, wake up earlier
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It’s common for college students to be deficient in the one thing they need the most: sleep. Going to bed earlier is always a good idea, as your body is probably aching to catch up on desperately needed rest. This alone will increase your productivity, as the next day you’ll be well rested and better prepared to take on the challenges of the day. However, going to bed earlier also means you can wake up earlier. Waking up earlier in the morning is one of the best ways to increase productivity. The early hours of the morning are quiet – there won’t be anyone asking you to go out for food, your roommates won’t be ranting to you about their latest situationship, and your mom won’t be calling for her daily check in. This is the perfect time for you to sit down and get to work – without any distractions
- drink more water
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Drinking enough water is one of the most underrated, yet one of the most important, ways to increase your overall wellbeing. And you can’t be productive without feeling your best. Dehydration is a silent killer – it is the root cause of many of your headaches, takes away your energy, and leaves you feeling like you can’t focus. Drinking enough water is crucial no matter where you are in life – athletes, students, and employees all need to be hydrated in order to perform to the best of their ability. Next time you find yourself feeling burnt out or in pain from a headache, think about if you’ve drank enough water that day – the answer is probably no.
- find your “prime time”
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Have you ever noticed that you’re way more motivated in the morning than the evening? Or that you’re more focused in the early afternoon than around dinner time? The two to three hours of the day when you feel the most focused and motivated are your “prime time”. Prime time is different for everyone – for me, it is from about 10am to about 1pm. For others, it might be from 7am to 10am or from 6pm to 9pm. To increase your productivity, ask yourself which hours of the day are usually the most productive for you. If you can’t answer this, try studying at different times over the next few days. After each session, rate how productive you felt. This will help you find your prime time. If you schedule your most important tasks of the day during these hours, you will get them done without feeling burnt out or fatigued.
- exercise every day
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Though it might seem counterproductive to take time away from your most important tasks for exercising, working out actually increases productivity. First, knowing that you have a scheduled workout ensures that you will finish tasks quicker and more efficiently. Think about when you have a whole day with nothing on your agenda except finishing a paper. In this case, finishing that paper will probably take you the entire day, as there is nothing else you have to do. However, if you add a workout in and have other things on your schedule, you know you only have a limited amount of time to finish the paper and thus, you will work more efficiently. Working out also increases your productivity by producing endorphins and clearing your mind. The research on the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental health is extensive. After exercising, your energy levels are increased, and you often experience an “exercise high” of unexplained happiness. Your mind is clear and focused, and the endorphins racing through your body help to fight any stress you may be feeling about the day. Exercising is a great way to prepare yourself to be as productive as possible, even if its just a stroll around campus or a quick yoga session.
- take breaks
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Though a lucky few can work for hours on end without stopping, most people don’t have that kind of endurance – and that’s okay! Most of us work more efficiently when we take frequent breaks to clear our mind and regain our focus. Forcing yourself to study for hours without a break usually means that as the hours go on, your productivity decreases and you start to feel burnt out. Breaks can fix this problem. One of the best methods to ensure that you are taking effective breaks, but not taking them too often, is using the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro technique is comprised of working for 25-minute blocks of time with no distractions, followed by a 5 minute break where you can do whatever you want. Read more about the technique and how to use it here.
- eat well
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I know, it’s college. Most of us only have time for a quickly made batch of Ramen Noodles or some microwave chicken nuggets. But trying your best to eat healthy, whole foods at least most of the time will have a big reward. Fueling your body with nutritious foods will increase your energy and make you feel less lethargic. The benefits of eating non-processed foods are endless, but weight loss, hair growth, and clear skin are all just extras. The most important benefit of eating a healthy diet is feeling better. When you don’t feel good, it is impossible to be productive or focused. Feeling ready to take on the day is crucial, especially when it seems impossible to finish everything you need to get done. If switching to a completely non-processed diet is too much, try switching to eating at least one nutritious (non-microwaved!) meal per day – your body (and your mind) will thank you!
- keep a clean space
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When all of your stuff is crammed into a tiny dorm room, it can seem difficult to keep it organized. But picking up the extra socks, tops, and hair ties that are cluttering your floor will help your productivity more than you know. Studying is difficult enough already – but studying in a cluttered, messy room is even more distracting. Keeping a clean space will give you peace of mind. Decluttering your room will declutter your mind as well, and prepare you to get work done without distraction.
Putting these productivity tips into practice is sure to lead to a more motivated lifestyle. So go to bed earlier, buy yourself a new water bottle you’ll love drinking out of, find your prime time, schedule a gym session, learn about the Pomodoro technique, try a healthy recipe, and clean that room! Your future self will thank you.