Without a doubt, saying goodbye to 2016 was not difficult. Around the world, we welcomed 2017 with open arms, hoping that this will be the year for us to finally achieve our broken promises and neglected resolutions from last year. But it won’t be an easy task to attain these aspirations, as it will certainly require diligence, dedication, and maybe a handful of luck. To make this new year and new semester (slightly) easier, here are seven tips for a hopefully more productive 2017.
1. Keep an agenda (with a calendar)
This might seem like a hassle, but keeping a physical or even an online agenda is a great way to stay organized. It not only allows you to easily have access to your monthly overview, it also helps you to declutter your plate. With this, you will always be able to plan ahead to ensure that your obligations and events are not going to coincide by giving you a prior opportunity to reschedule. Head to a nearby Moleskine or Muji store for well-crafted and durable agendas that will be able to last you throughout the year.
2. Create realistic to-do lists
Write down all of your homework and personal tasks on a sticky note, in your agenda, or electronically. Every time you accomplish one of the assignments, check it off. This creates a sense of accomplishment to help you stay motivated while focused on checking off the rest of the list. Also, try to make your to-do list concise and achievable, or else it will only become an extra burden that you will choose to ignore. The app, Wunderlist, is an excellent tool that not only makes digital to-do lists, but can also sync them between your phone and laptop.
3. Write a daily schedule
By planning out exactly how you are allocating your work time, you will be able to stay on task and steer you away from multitasking. Specifically, try to tackle your hardest tasks first, this will lighten your workload and allow you to be more confident.
4. Take frequent breaks
Scientifically, it has been proven that working for shorter periods of time is more beneficial for your concentration and efficiency than non-stop working. I suggest taking a ten-minute break or nap after every sixty minutes.
5. Minimize your distractions
It is helpful to have a tidy and organized work area, this way, you won’t be distracted by the other items on your desk. If this still doesn’t prevent you from being distracted, switch your phone to airplane mode or turn off the Wi-Fi on your laptop. Without the constant social media updates, you will hopefully stay on task.
6. Work at a desk
I know that it is often tempting to finish your work on your bed. The truth is, this only confuses your brain as to whether you are working or sleeping. So the next time you fall asleep reading a textbook on your bed, remember that increasing productivity is as simple as sitting up and moving back to your desk.
7. Develop a consistent sleep schedule
Just aim for that 8 hours of sleep and don’t pull all-nighters. Having a good night’s sleep will help you stay focused and be more productive the following day. Sleeping gives your mind the time to rest and your body to regain its energy. More importantly, a consistent sleep schedule will allow your biological clock to stay on track, alleviating your difficult mornings.
Give these tips a try for the new year. Write to us in the comments below if you have any other helpful suggestions!
1. Keep an agenda (with a calendar)
This might seem like a hassle, but keeping a physical or even an online agenda is a great way to stay organized. It not only allows you to easily have access to your monthly overview, it also helps you to declutter your plate. With this, you will always be able to plan ahead to ensure that your obligations and events are not going to coincide by giving you a prior opportunity to reschedule. Head to a nearby Moleskine or Muji store for well-crafted and durable agendas that will be able to last you throughout the year.
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| Taken by Bridget Lu |
Write down all of your homework and personal tasks on a sticky note, in your agenda, or electronically. Every time you accomplish one of the assignments, check it off. This creates a sense of accomplishment to help you stay motivated while focused on checking off the rest of the list. Also, try to make your to-do list concise and achievable, or else it will only become an extra burden that you will choose to ignore. The app, Wunderlist, is an excellent tool that not only makes digital to-do lists, but can also sync them between your phone and laptop.
3. Write a daily schedule
By planning out exactly how you are allocating your work time, you will be able to stay on task and steer you away from multitasking. Specifically, try to tackle your hardest tasks first, this will lighten your workload and allow you to be more confident.
4. Take frequent breaks
Scientifically, it has been proven that working for shorter periods of time is more beneficial for your concentration and efficiency than non-stop working. I suggest taking a ten-minute break or nap after every sixty minutes.
5. Minimize your distractions
It is helpful to have a tidy and organized work area, this way, you won’t be distracted by the other items on your desk. If this still doesn’t prevent you from being distracted, switch your phone to airplane mode or turn off the Wi-Fi on your laptop. Without the constant social media updates, you will hopefully stay on task.
6. Work at a desk
I know that it is often tempting to finish your work on your bed. The truth is, this only confuses your brain as to whether you are working or sleeping. So the next time you fall asleep reading a textbook on your bed, remember that increasing productivity is as simple as sitting up and moving back to your desk.
7. Develop a consistent sleep schedule
Just aim for that 8 hours of sleep and don’t pull all-nighters. Having a good night’s sleep will help you stay focused and be more productive the following day. Sleeping gives your mind the time to rest and your body to regain its energy. More importantly, a consistent sleep schedule will allow your biological clock to stay on track, alleviating your difficult mornings.
Give these tips a try for the new year. Write to us in the comments below if you have any other helpful suggestions!
Bridget Lu
