You need good organizational skills to maintain productivity and overcome the challenges that arise in pursuit of education. Ironically, schools do little to teach you such skills! Want to accomplish more and take control of your studies? We’ll show you how!
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Master Time Management
Nailing the organization part of your studies comes down to effective time management. Start by getting a day planner or calendar and outline the tasks you’d like to complete each period. To-do lists will help too! You can use them to set and complete specific goals. Focusing on smaller, achievable tasks helps keep you motivated and makes long-term goals seem less daunting.
Prioritizing is another skill to develop. It’s best to tackle the most challenging tasks first. Getting them out of the way gives you a sense of accomplishment, and everything else you have to do that day won’t be as draining. Having said that, it’s OK to set your schedule up so there are as few overwhelming days as possible. It makes sense to skip working on an assignment after a hard day of classes if you have more time tomorrow.
Stuff happens, and you might need to postpone or cancel some activities. If you prioritize and don’t make rearranging those tasks a habit, it shouldn’t impact your studies.
Make Technology Work for You
While it can be a terrible time sink, your computer or smartphone has awesome potential as a study tool. The internet alone gives you access to much of the world’s knowledge. More importantly, if you’re having trouble with something related to studying, there’s probably an app for that.
Some people still prefer the analog approach, but keeping track of your goals and to-do lists is easier and neater through your smartphone. You can store study materials in dedicated document storage and share them in a snap, while communication apps let you organize study sessions without leaving your bed.
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Create a Kickass Study Environment
The best plan in the world won’t be of much use if you have nowhere to learn. Before creating your ideal study nook, figure out the time of day when you’re most productive. Some people are energetic in the morning, while night owls get work done faster later in the day.
The appropriate study environment can be anything from your room through the university library to a quiet café. Whatever your preference, make sure you can access the location whenever you need to learn and that it’s free from distractions. Organize your immediate surroundings so you don’t waste time looking for notes or stationary. Try studying near a window, as natural light improves focus and can enhance your mood.
Kick Procrastination to the Curb
Putting things off is the bane of a student’s existence. The more you do it, the worse it gets. We already mentioned an effective anti-procrastination technique – breaking long-term goals into manageable milestones. Here are some more.
The most obvious one is to turn off the TV, notifications, and other distractions. If you don’t constantly get interrupted, you’re more likely to maintain concentration and get things done.
Big tasks are important, but letting small ones build-up isn’t smart either. Use the two-minute rule to tackle them. If you can do something in two minutes or less, you should do it now!
Developing a habit of minimal time investment also helps. For example, set aside 15 minutes daily to prepare for a tough exam or learn a new language. Starting can be painful, but you’ll often want to keep going well past the 15-minute mark.
Take Care of Yourself
Studying can become overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing it with work. Stepping back and taking a breather is as vital to maintaining productivity as other healthy habits.
Getting your sleep schedule in order is the first and crucial step. Developing minds need at least seven hours of sleep each night to maintain optimum productivity and focus. Resting also applies to your study sessions. Break them down into periods of focus, followed by breaks to clear your mind and reset your posture. Some students swear by the Pomodoro method. Experiment and see what works best for you.
