5 Productivity Hacks Every Student Needs to Know

Being a student can get overwhelming at times. Balancing your coursework alongside other aspects of life is not always the easiest. We’ve accumulated five tips to help you be your most productive.

1. Use aeroplane Mode

Make aeroplane mode your best friend. Phones are universally accepted to be the biggest distractions. One of the easiest ways to combat that is by putting your phone on aeroplane mode while you’re revising or doing important work. You’ll be less tempted to pick up your phone when it’s not buzzing with notifications.

2. Keep a task list

Whether you use the classic pen and paper or opt for a digital version, creating a list of the tasks can do wonders for your productivity. As you start your day, take 5-10 minutes to create a list of everything you would like to accomplish. By having a visual of what you need to do, you can more accurately prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. Similarly, it can be motivating to check off a task once you’ve finished it.

3. Get enough sleep

Sleep tends to be one of the things that students sacrifice when trying to find a good balance in their everyday lives. However, this could be hindering your productivity. Sleep is a basic need, and we work best when we have enough of it.

4. Find your ‘Golden Hour’

Throughout the day, you may have different levels of energy, concentration, and motivation. Some people love mornings. Some feel as if they can’t properly focus until mid-afternoon. Spend time analysing when you work best and find your ‘Golden Hours’. Once you’ve decided when you work best, stick to it!

5. 15 Minutes of Work

Everything is easier when we feel it has purpose. If you can distinguish what your motivator is you’re more likely to be productive. Sometimes we don’t feel very motivated, and that’s okay! You don’t always have to be motivated to get work done.

If you’re struggling to find motivation, set a short timer for yourself. For example, if you have a paper to write, set a 15-minute timer and tell yourself all you have to do is work for that period of time. Once the 15 minutes is up, you’ll find that you feel ready to continue working. If not, don’t! Take a break and try another 15 minutes later. This method works best when you only continue to work if you genuinely want to.