1. Remove all distractions.
I know it’s hard to put down your phone sometimes, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Social media is a silent killer for productivity so turn off your phone and put it somewhere you can’t see because “out of sight, out of mind” is legit. If you’re working on a laptop, download the Self Control App because it’s the holy grail. How it works is you enter in all the websites that distract you, set the timer for how ever time you need to focus for, and the app will restrict you from accessing those sites for the designated amount of time! I highly recommend it for being distraction free during your study sessions.
2. Change up your study spots
If you’re like me, doing homework at home can be super distracting and boring. I suggest switching up your studying spots by heading to your favorite local coffee shop, park, or library. Since you aren’t at home it should automatically put you in a working mindset, allowing you to get more done without the usual distractions, like taking a nap (ok, maybe that’s just me).
3. Music is everything.
Some people can’t stand listening to music while they’re studying, but for other’s it’s everything. Putting in some headphones is the perfect way to block out unwanted distractions. Making a studying playlist is the way to go, or you can find some pre-made one’s on Spotify. I recommend the “deep focus” playlist, which has a great mix of electronic and instrumental beats. When picking music for studying, try to pick songs without any lyrics, or else you’ll find yourself jamming out rather than doing your work.
4. Hot drinks for the win.
This is a pretty random point but i’ve found that it really does make a difference for me. If you decide to go out to study, to a Starbucks for example, try ordering a hot drink rather than a cold one. If you order a hot drink it takes you longer to drink, while iced drinks take about 2 seconds to finish and leave you wanting more. Also, your breaks to take a sip of a hot drink are less frequent than they are of a cold one which has a overly convenient straw. Maybe this point just makes sense for me, but I refuse to accept that I’m crazy to believe that this is all in my head.
5. Keep your space tidy.
Whether you chose to stay home or go out, keeping your studying space tidy is of the utmost importance. A cluttered space gives you a cluttered mind, but a clean space gives you a focused and energetic attitude that's essential for getting things done.
6. Lists on lists on lists.
Organization is key. In addition to keeping a weekly planner, make a more specific “To-Do” list every time you sit down to study. List things in order of importance and do those first, rather than wasting your energy on busy work. Knowing exactly what you need to get done will ensure that you do and don’t miss anything important. Also, being able to physically check things off on a list is extremely satisfying.
7. Work smarter, not harder.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s such an important thing to learn in order to increase your productivity. If you aren’t sure how to go about “working smarter, not harder,” start by switching up your studying methods. If you just google it, there are dozens of psychologically proven techniques that you can try out to see which works best for you. One of my favorites is the Pomodoro Method which, in summary, separates your work time by 25 minutes and once that’s up, you take a 5 minute break then get back to work. After going through that cycle 4 times, you can take a 15 minute break. Some people also try writing down every distracting thought they have while studying in attempt to refocus their mind. If that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t let that stop you from trying out new methods, because i’m sure you’ll find one that does.
8. Find your "productivity hour."
Are you a morning person? Try waking up a little earlier to get work done. When I was told to do that, at first I thought it was crazy, but then I tried it out and it actually worked! Are you a night owl? Give yourself a few hours of a break right after school and do your work in the later hours. Some people are more productive if they do their work right when they get home from school, and others are the opposite. Either way, finding your “golden hour” for studying is very important because that’s when you’re the most focused so you’re more likely to get everything done. Try studying at different times until you find that perfect time because I promise that you’ll notice a difference in your productivity.
9. Improve your time management skills.
Having good time management skills is necessary for every aspect in your life, so you better start working on them now. There are a few different things that are both necessary for life in general, and also for increasing your productivity. These things include getting enough sleep, exercising, spending time doing things that you love, and having down time. These are just a few of the things that need to be prioritized in your life, which always need to be put first because mental and physical health is more important than getting a paper turned in on time. Like I said in a different point, keeping a planner is a great way to manage your time well so if you haven't already, it's time to jump on that bandwagon. There are also a ton of videos and articles about how to set up your planner for consistency which you should try out if you have trouble sticking to it.
10. Kill procrastination once and for all.
Procrastination is a productivity killer, which i’m sure you already know. It’s hard to fight, but I swear it’s doable. Of course we are all a slave to procrastination once in awhile, but there are a couple of tips for fighting it. Try starting things right away, even if you only work on it for 5 minutes. If you already started something, you’re more likely to continue it later because you already got past the hardest part. Another way to kill procrastination is to set specific times and goals for your study sessions. Last but not least, “treat yo’ self!” After working hard you deserve to take a break or give into one of your simple pleasures.
