Graduation is slowly creeping around the corner, and many college students are tackling a large obstacle: senioritis. The final papers, group projects, exams, senior theses and capstones; the workload only increases as the semester comes to a close. Even after graduation, thinking about post-grad plans or the dreaded summer internship weighs me down.
Focusing on my schoolwork gets harder and harder as the weather warms up, which is detrimental for a student who is taking 19 credit hours this semester. In order to maintain focus, aside from prioritizing self-care, I have key strategies (similar to a lot of college students) that I utilize to ensure that I get my work done.
LOCATION
One of the most important factors to maintain focus is where I am doing homework. My bed and couch are comfortable, but I am never able to focus there as much as I am next to a table. I need to be at a desk, table, or hard surface to complete my work. Sitting up straight, being comfortable in a seat, and mimicking sitting at a desk in a classroom helps me shift my mindset from casual work to focused work.
Once I am at a table, the setting is crucial. Sometimes, I can get my homework done in my house, but on hard days, I have to separate myself from my bedroom. Being away from my house gets rid of the temptation of sleeping, laying down, or playing on my phone. I love working at coffee shops or libraries on and off campus because the presence of strangers holds me accountable. Taking up a table at the library (that gets extremely crowed during finals season) and NOT doing homework? I don’t want to be that person.
SOUND
Once I establish a good place to work, I need to find the perfect audio to listen to. When I do homework, I cannot listen to music with words, podcasts, or movies. I mainly listen to personal Spotify playlists with instrumental music, but sometimes, I listen to curated YouTube videos. Common genres I listen to are movie/video game soundtracks, orchestral suites, or music with ambient noise in the background.
On Spotify, here are the recent albums I have listened to:
On YouTube, I like listening to Stardew Valley music with (or without) rain ambience, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ambience, or Animal Crossing music compilations. The genre is quite niche, but I highly recommend.
I love using my noise-cancelling headphones while doing homework. My favorite headphones are Sony WH-1000XM4, they are worth EVERY penny! Recently, I have been using Airpods because of my ear piercings, but I religiously use non-wired headphones or earbuds. Wires are too distracting for me.
MISCELLANEOUS BUT IMPORTANT
These tips are random but non-negotiable for my homework sessions:
- Working alone or with one other person. Too many friends around is distracting for me (I hate to admit it).
- Wearing comfy clothes: I can’t be too hot, but I also can’t be freezing.
- Headband, clips, or bobby pins keep my bangs out of my face. No bangs = no distractions!
- Ignoring my planner and writing a separate list. This makes sure I am focused and not overwhelmed about how much work I have to complete.
- Water and snacks at the ready (self-explanatory).
There are three weeks left until the semester is over. Use these tips, pass your classes, and prepare to have a fun, stress-free summer!