If you’re a college student, you are most likely busy all of the time. Managing schoolwork, friends, relationships, and work is a lot to handle and it can become extremely overwhelming. If you’ve been struggling with this balancing act or if you are having trouble making the most of your days, here are five ways to help you maximize your productivity.
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Make a to-do list. While this may not seem like a revolutionary idea, as you probably have made a to do list a time or two in your life, there are some ways you can vamp up your list-making methods to increase your organization. My advice is to prioritize. Start your list with the most important tasks that absolutely must be completed that day. Create a separate section for things that you would like to get done but that aren’t mandatory. I also suggest making a note of the time you would like to accomplish a certain task. For example, write an “M” next to a task to establish that you want to get it done in the morning, an “L” to signify that it is something you want to get done at the library, or “N” to give you an idea of what you want to dedicate time to work on at night. This can help you plan out your time in an effective manner, as you will be able to get a visual for the amount of things you would like to accomplish at various points throughout the day.
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Block out your time. If it is eleven o’clock right now and you have class at two, but want to get lunch with a friend at one, make the conscious and responsible decision to utilize the two hours of time you have in between activities to accomplish something on your to do list. Sometimes when you work under a time constraint like this it can give you more of a push to focus, work hard, and get things done.
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Create incentives. While it is important to dedicate time to schoolwork and responsibilities, it is also crucial to make time for the things you enjoy. By creating moments of leisure in between moments of studying or working on a project, it allows you to take a step back, relax, and return to your work refreshed and ready to go. For example, you can create an incentive for yourself by working for a solid hour and a half on your essay but then knowing that at the end of that hour and a half you can take a 40 minute break to relax and watch another episode of your favorite Netflix show. When you work hard and accomplish things you gain a sense of achievement and can more deeply enjoy the moment of relaxation that you allow yourself, feeling as though you have earned it.
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Eliminate distractions to the best of your ability. When working on homework, try to find a location where you know you will be uninterrupted by friends or roommates. When doing anything that requires serious attention and focus, put your phone on silent and place it somewhere out of sight for the time being. Easier said than done, I know, but you’ll be amazed how much you can get accomplished with it out of sight.
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Live each day with the goal of making the following day easier for yourself. If you actually apply this statement to your life you will not be disappointed with the results. If you always stay on top of things and put forth a valiant effort to get ahead on others, it will only allow you to approach the future in a more relaxed and stress-free way. It will also heighten the productivity of your days and leave you feeling accomplished and satisfied with how you have spent your time.
(Photo retreived from therecruiterslounge.com)