As a student, you have lots to do and what can feel like not enough time. As well as achieving good grades, socialising and having family time, it’s important that your study time is as productive as possible. Here’s some techniques to improve your productivity levels during your study sessions.
Plan Ahead
In order to be as productive as possible during your study sessions, it’s important that you plan ahead so you know exactly what you need to focus on. Use a calendar or diary for the next few months and organise your projects, deadlines, and test dates as well as any personal events. This way you know exactly what is coming up and when you need to work on each subject or project.
Have A Weekly To-Do List
Once you have a rough plan of what’s coming up in the next few months you can start planning out each week accordingly. We recommend a few days before a new week, sitting down and working out exactly what you need to accomplish and how long you think each task is going to take. Whether this is essay drafting, revising for an exam or putting effort into a project, you can allocate each task to the study time you have available. By using this method, you’ll minimise time wastage, be more productive and feel more confident about your study habits.
Avoid Multi-tasking
Even though multi-tasking is considered to be productive, focusing on one project at a time is actually much more effective. By pushing our mind beyond its normal capabilities, we can only experience greater stress and fatigue. If we concentrate on one task at a time, it’s easier to get the work done and completed to a high standard!
Set Short and Long Term Goals
Setting some short- and long-term goals is an excellent way to improve productivity levels. Whether it’s a big goal such as getting into a specific university or simply achieving a certain grade in a subject, get students to write their goals down somewhere they’ll see them every day. Not only do goals give students something to be actively working towards, it gives them a reason to complete their work. Read more about setting SMART goals here.
Take Regular Breaks
Believe it or not, taking a break will actually increase productivity levels. Students who try to cram for hours at a time do not perform at their peak. Our brain can only handle so much new information before we begin to tire and our retention levels drop. Whether you take 5 minutes every hour or 30 minutes a few times a day, find a schedule that works best for you. Use these times to rest your mind and watch your productivity increase.
Get Plenty of Sleep
At least 8 hours of sleep is essential for healthy brain function, with studies suggesting that students may need even more. To increase your productivity levels, be sure to get your recommended sleep each night as it really will make all the difference when studying. Try winding down before you go to bed by reading a book or listening to relaxing music. If you still find it hard to fall asleep, try to tire your body out and relax the mind, using methods such as exercise or meditation. Read more about why a regular sleep routine is vital for academic success.
Take a look at these additional tips on being more productive!
