Many students experience a lack of motivation from time to time, which can quickly lead to stress. If you’re wondering how to be productive whilst studying and are looking for ways to stay on top of university life, here are some tips and tricks to help you.
Plan Your Day Every Morning
Having a plan in place from the morning to the evening gives your day structure, enabling you to get everything done that you need to. Without a plan, it’s easy to get sidetracked, and important tasks can be left uncompleted. Buy yourself a planner or use an online tool like Google Calendar to help you do this. Where possible, remember to include time for yourself to do things you enjoy.
Break Tasks into Small and Manageable Chunks
When at university, getting everything done and meeting deadlines can sometimes feel overwhelming. Exams, assignments, food shops, keeping up with friends and doing house chores are all things to consider. That’s why it’s important to make sure everything is manageable to avoid stress and headaches.
Start by thinking about your end goal (this might be to finish your essay by a certain date). Then break it down into smaller steps (such as research, creating a plan and writing your introduction) and determine how long each step will take you.
Tidy Your Space Once a Day
Being around clutter can make you feel unmotivated, which is why it’s important to have a sense of organisation around the house. Making sure your bedroom is tidy can help you sleep better because a clean space can allow you to relax. A desk that has a sense of order helps you to stay organised – you might want to use desk tidies to do this. Another area to focus on is your kitchen, because if it’s dirty, you’re less likely to want to put effort into making healthy meals.
Prioritise Healthy Eating and Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough and eating well is good for your physical health, but it can also lead to improved mental health. If you haven’t got a water bottle, it’s time to find yourself one! If you always have one on you, you’re more likely to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. You could buy a marked bottle with the times of the day written on it, because this allows you to track your water intake and set goals for how much you’ll drink by a specific time.
Takeaways are easy and taste amazing, but it’s important to limit them and not have them too often. Incorporate vegetables as a side for your meals where possible, and buy fruit in your food shop to pick at when you’re feeling peckish.
Move Your Body (Even If It’s Just a Walk)
Staying active can boost your energy levels, give you motivation and improve your physical and mental health. Simply going on a walk allows you to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy exercise in nature. You can do it alone with your headphones on to tune out from the world, or you could go and explore the local area or even branch out further away with your friends. Remember to check what societies there are at your university, there might be a sporty one that looks interesting, and it’s a great chance to meet new people.
Block Out Time for Uni Work
Many students decide to leave their university assignments to the last minute. One reason for this is that the adrenaline they feel from their stress can give them motivation to finish it, but there are more downsides than upsides to this. It can cause anxiety, affect your sleep, limit your free time and sometimes lower the quality of your work. With the right planning, you can start your university assignments early and do them in chunks instead of all at once.
The key is to get a plan together as early as you can. Some people prefer using a digital calendar because it can be accessed wherever you are and allows you to set reminders. Others prefer physical calendars because they eliminate digital distractions, and writing by hand can help with memory. Use whatever works for you!
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