5 Top Tips To Improve Productivity While Studying

Being a student can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes it feels like there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it all.

It can be a lot to handle, from studying, making notes, revising and balancing life. However, being productive can help ease the load. The key is to manage your time efficiently.

Here are 5 tips we think will improve your productivity as a student:

As students, we put our bodies under a lot of strain.

That’s why focusing on what we use to fuel our bodies is so important. A simple change to the diet we consume can change how productive we are overall. By introducing more nutritious meals into our lifestyle, the body will keep energy levels high and create room for a better study session. 

We get out what we put in, so if we want our minds to work to the best of our abilities, let’s fuel them the best we can.

We are all guilty of leaving more difficult and time-consuming tasks until the end of the day and focusing on smaller, easier tasks. It’s easy to do those small tasks and think the day has been a productive one. However, when you leave the big projects until the end of the day, you create the risk of saying I’ll do that tomorrow. That’s where the pile of big tasks begins to build. 

If that isn’t reason enough to tackle your biggest tasks earlier on in the day, then this next reason should be.

By completing your bigger tasks first, you will find you have increased your focus for the rest of the day. You will be motivated to keep pushing through as you near the completion of the big task. 

Sounds weird, doesn’t it? Trust me, when you are feeling the most motivated and productive, tackle the biggest tasks first. It will change how the rest of your day turns out!

Have you ever watched a motivational video on Youtube and heard Beyonce once worked 3 days before remembering she hasn’t slept? Or heard the story that billionaires only sleep 4 hours a day? Well if you haven’t, good job because that is not realistic at all.

Sleep is a crucial element of being productive. To be productive, you need to be in good mental and physical health. Being tired heavily affects your focus and mood overall. Without getting too deep into the science, our bodies function best when we are well-rested.

In the words of Ariana Huffington, “a good day starts the night before.” 

The next time you are going to stay up late and study with a sluggish mind, get some rest and finish the task in the morning. Getting enough rest could actually improve your productivity by recharging your brain and enhancing alertness.

How do we know our progress if we don’t keep track of how we’re getting on?

When working hard, the days & weeks disappear so quickly. The speed at which time flies when we’re working can be scary at times. Working at such a pace, it’s important to monitor how well you are really working. 

Are you spending too much time on tasks? 

Do you take in tasks easier when you study at night compared to the day? 

Having a weekly review of your studies can be a game-changer in identifying how to become more productive. Try answering these questions on a weekly basis to review your progress;

• Did you achieve what you set out to achieve?
• Could you have achieved your goals faster? (any distractions that stood in your way?)
• What do you find worked better this week compared to previous weeks?
• Where do you feel you could improve next week?

This may feel a bit too serious to do every week but give it a try. Having honest conversations with yourself will bring you closer to determining whether you are really managing and spending your time wisely.

Technology has made most of our lives easier and better. From organising our days, communicating with others and finding the answers we need. However, when it comes to getting down to work, technology can also be a killer for our focus.

When you have an important task that requires your attention and focus, create a space to do your best.

Silence your emails, turn off your phone and let your friends & family members know this is your study time. By creating an environment where you have minimised your distractions, you have given yourself the best opportunity to stay focussed. 

Give yourself the luxury of uninterrupted time you need to truly focus on the issue at hand.

By implementing even just a few of these tips into your routine, you should start seeing an improvement in your productivity as a student.

Time management is all about finding what works best for you and sticking with it – so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a system that clicks!