“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer
Balancing school and life can be a challenge for many college students. The time commitments involved with attending classes, completing homework, holding down a job and making time for a social life can feel overwhelming. Learning how to be productive so you get your assignments done on time and still have room in your life for other activities can make a big difference.
Here are some tips as you start your college journey:
Find the right environment -Where you work matters. Create a space conducive to productivity. For some it will be there room, for others they will need to reserve a study room in the library.
Work during your peak productivity-Pay attention to when you are most alert during the day (or even the night). Many of us have body cycles that can be tracked. Try to arrange your schedule so homework time takes place during your peak hours.
Start with the most important item-Prioritize your assignments to focus on the most important task first. Homework journals and planners also work well for managing assignments. Set up reminders on your app to alert you two or three days before something is due.
Begin the homework session-Get started with the harder assignment first, while you are still relatively fresh and before two or three hours saps your will power. The longer you work, the harder it is to resist distractions.
Break down your projects-Another step in how to be productive is to break down your projects. This strategy gives you the ability to take a break when you feel stuck on a task and switch to another assignment. You can complete homework over two or three sessions, rather than scrambling at the last minute and you’ll work will be of higher quality.
Apps are your friends-Web-based and mobile apps can be extremely helpful. Use scheduling and to-do apps to break down homework tasks and coordinate on group projects. Set up reminders and alerts for the most important items. There are time management apps that help you keep track of your productivity so you can identify and eliminate problem behaviors. It is even possible to use programs that shut down your access to social media networks for a period of time so that you aren’t tempted to surf the web when you should be studying.
Planning ahead and developing good study habits is essential in helping you get your work done more quickly, leaving time for other pursuits as you kick off your first year of college.
C.A.N. is here for you to ensure that you are up to the challenges that lay ahead. If you would like to discuss the transition to college and how C.A.N. can be of assistance, please fill out the contact us page on our website. http://www.canstudentconsultants.com/
