Getting in the zone. Photo by Cathryn Lavery on Unsplash.
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I almost couldn’t find the motivation to even write this. It’s the second week of school and I have assignments coming out of my eyeballs. Ironically enough, I could have benefited from this list last week when I was feeling like I was in over my head.
Before this semester, school looked a lot different for all of us. Now that we are being forced (against our will) into remote learning, it’s not only important for us to adjust our behaviors, but our expectations as well.
“Online learning isn’t for everyone,” we used to say. Well, guess what? Now it is and I’m going to give you some tips on how to kick ass and take names this semester. Buckle up.
1. Get a planner already. If you think you are capable of staying organized without one, you are insane! Writing everything down, making lists, and keeping all your assignments in one place is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of things. It gets everything out of your head, onto paper and helps you see the bigger, long-term picture. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good one. Thank me later.
2. Wake up earlier. I know, I know, why on earth would you want to wake up earlier when you are taking classes online? It sounds horrible, but believe me, it’s a life saver. Waking up earlier and taking the time to have some sort of routine will actually make your life a lot easier. You won’t be rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to join the Zoom meeting on time.
3. Set up a workspace. Working from home can feel very blah. It can be hard to stay motivated when you’re having to do your assignments from bed while wearing your favorite Christmas jammies (totally not judging). Having a designated workspace can help you get into a more productive mindset. Whether it’s the coffee table, kitchen counter or dining room table, it doesn’t really matter. Just stay off the couch, okay? It will suck you in every time.
4. Make daily to-do lists. I can already see you asking how this is any different than getting a planner. Let me explain. Your planner is to help you organize for the month and each week, but you also have to accomplish other things outside of school. Laundry, grocery shopping, oil changes, washing your cat, etc. You have a life and things to do outside of school. Making a to-do list first thing in the morning that includes all your tasks and assignments will give you a timeline of what to expect out of your day. Again, thank me later.
5. Set a timer and take breaks. If you are anything like me, you might be sitting in front of your computer for hours on end completing assignments. Taking a 10-15 minute break every 45 minutes to an hour will completely change how much you are able to get done. Get up and stretch, go for a walk, eat a snack, call your mom, or dance like nobody’s watching! Then get back in there and handle your business.
I know these might seem silly. But believe me, being productive is more about what you do outside of the work that will really help you succeed. Being productive does not always mean you have to produce MORE. It’s about how you organize your time to make sure you don’t burn out. You’ll be able to produce BETTER work and have more time to focus on things outside of school as well.
(Story republished from The Bulletin)
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