Tips to maximise productivity as a student

Even if you go to every class and spend hours at the library each day, low productivity levels could render all that meaningless. Just being present, or blankly staring at a screen all day with the intention of working, doesn't qualify as getting work done. Here are five productivity tips to help you manage your workload more effectively, as a student.

Create a weekly timetable

Having a weekly timetable that accommodates your classes, breaks, fitness routine, extra-curricular activities, self-study sessions and other tasks is important. Following a timetable reduces the tendency to waste time as everything falls into a proper system. There can be some adjustments, based on sudden problems, but try to set up a regular routine for every week.

Maintain a to-do list

Maintaining a to-do list helps in providing the extra push you need to meet deadlines. Before starting a new day, jot down the things you need to do, prioritising the important tasks first. You could use reminder apps or keep a small notebook for tracking your tasks. This would not only help you remember multiple deadlines, but also encourage you to strike off each item by the end of the day. Nothing beats the satisfaction of ticking off a task from a to-do list.

Take small breaks for other activities

While your main goal should be to focus on academics, make sure you allot some time for refreshment and other activities. A monotonous study routine is bound to get boring; small breaks in between serve as rewards for completing a task from your everyday list.

Participate in group study sessions

It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the extent of knowledge provided in books and lectures. In this case, group study sessions can be your lifesaver. Not only do they allow you to revise concepts multiple times, but they also instills a sense of confidence. Covering a large chapter becomes easier, when you divide it among friends and each person gets to explain a different topic. Group study is regarded as one of the most effective forms of everyday revision, especially for university students.

Take screen breaks

Pull yourself away from your devices and do something totally unrelated for a few minutes. There are a number of tools that can monitor your screen time and temporarily disable websites that are getting in the way of your productivity. Simply disabling push notifications for things like Instagram and WhatsApp will do wonders for your concentration.

The author is a medical student and a freelance journalist who likes reading, scribbling, and blogging. Email: mislammonamee@gmail.com