How to Maximize Your Productivity in College
Attending college can sometimes feel like a full-time job. The demands are high as you navigate your new environment, attend classes, meet assignment deadlines, and make a host of decisions that can influence the rest of your life. What’s more, you may need to work part-time to support yourself financially. Meanwhile, you don’t want to miss out on too many of the social events.
Succeeding at your studies in the face of this packed agenda demands determination and ingenuity. Here are some of tips to maximize your productivity in college.
- Make a list
Starting a to-do list will help you visualize all that you need to get done, and you can get a better sense of how much time you need for each task. This is not a “one and done” activity. As you receive new school assignments, replenish your groceries, and manage different commitments that come up, this list will need to be updated. For maximum productivity, you should plan to review and refresh your list at least weekly.
- Calendarize everything
Find a calendar that works for you and enter everything you have to accomplish. If the calendar you pick lets you set reminder notifications, so much the better. Remember to put in even mundane daily tasks to have a realistic idea of where you need to spend your time. This will help you block out periods of time for different commitments. You’ll feel more organized and your mind will be less cluttered.
- Note deadlines
Listing and calendarizing all that you need to do will help you to keep track of deadlines. In addition to any due dates that already come with various obligations, try to give yourself reasonable deadlines for the activities you’re recording. It’s also a good idea to build in flexibility where you can to account for any unforeseen difficulties.
- Set priorities
Consider your priorities for the day. Decide when will be the best time to complete each task and order them accordingly. Certain items may need to be carried out during regular working hours if, for instance, you need to follow up with a professor on an assignment. Other tasks might be more easily accomplished later in the day when you don’t need to be mindful of another person’s schedule.
- Group tasks
While multitasking isn’t generally an efficient use of time, you’ll notice that there are particular activities that lend themselves to being done together. For example, while you’re waiting at the laundromat for your clothes to dry, it might be the perfect opportunity to make phone calls or review your study notes for a test. Try to group like tasks with like, such as paying your bills online or running errands in town.
- Find when you’re the most productive
Are you a morning person or do you hit your stride later in the day? Find out when you have more energy and use those hours to prioritize the most important things that you need to accomplish. By making the best use of your most productive hours, you’ll be able to tackle the critical activities on your to-do list with mental clarity, concentration, and creativity.
- Reduce distractions
Focusing on studying or other activities that demand a high level of attentiveness requires that you minimize distractions. Put your phone and other electronic devices away and find a quiet place in your home where you won’t be disturbed. You may opt to choose another environment, like a library, where you can concentrate without interruptions.
- Take breaks
Be sure to build breaks between study sessions. This will give your brain a chance to recharge and minimize cognitive fatigue. When you return to what you were doing, you’ll find a refreshed focus and be able to resume your task with increased efficiency. Breaks also boost one’s ability to process and retain new information.
- Listen to your body
Your body will tell you when you’ve been toiling at a task for too long. You’ll feel stiff, and tiredness will start to set in. Just like your brain, your body needs a time out now and then. Step away from what you were doing, take a walk around the room, make a snack, or spend a few minutes chatting with someone nearby to regain your productivity.
- Know your limits
Establishing personal boundaries early on is critical to remain productive. While it may be tempting to take on more tasks, carefully examine what’s involved and whether you actually have the time needed to finish everything. Agreeing to more than you can reasonably handle will reduce your overall productivity and cause additional stress.
In closing
In conclusion, taking care of yourself through proper sleep habits, good nutrition, and physical activity are not to be undervalued when it comes to maximizing your productivity in college.
