Productivity hacks for students

Distractions are a challenge for everyone, which is why getting everything done is difficult, especially when faced with a list of assignments and an extensive revision schedule. If you want to be more productive, several hacks can help you make the most of your time and help you to get everything done on time. Here's what you need to know.

Stop multitasking

Thanks to devices, most of us have become adept at multitasking. Either you are doing homework while on WhatsApp or doing reading textbooks while casting an eye over our notifications. The problem with multitasking is that it spills over into everything you do. Though you think it saves you time, studies https://rescuetime.wpengine.com/context-switching/ show switching between activities loses 20%; of your overall productivity for each task you try to take on! As well as hindering productivity, understanding and knowledge retention.

Harvard psychologists Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert found that people spent almost 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're currently doing. And the more you do this and multitask, the worse you get at finishing your work and being productive.

To break out of the multitasking mindset, try single-tasking. Focusing on one task at a time with all distractions put to one side will help you get jobs done faster and at a higher quality.

Try the Pomodoro technique

Even the most disciplined students can struggle with time management when work and revision start to pile up.

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method (and helps get to grips with single-tasking). It's based on simply splitting your tasks up and assigning them a 25-minute time slot. It doesn't sound much, but the method works both in business and for students as it makes tasks more manageable.

Set a timer and for 25 minutes, concentrate only on the task you have. After 25 minutes, have a break! As a time management method, the more you practice it, the more efficient your workload will become.

Create an urgent to-do list

To-do lists work as long as you prioritise what needs to be done. The best way is to create a daily to-do list is to write one every morning. The list should only include tasks that you can do immediately. For example, if you aim to revise the whole Biology specification by mid-May, one of your priorities should be studying a key topic each day. Let your goals determine your to-do list.

Have five main to-dos and focus on getting the top three done by the end of the day. Resolve not to move on to any other tasks before achieving them. Mastering this hack is life-changing and will boost your productivity.

Do your most challenging work in the morning

Scientists who studied millions of tweets from 2.4 million people in 84 countries found that everyone's mood follows a body-clock-linked daily rhythm. According to the analysis, people tend to be more positive early in the morning, which deteriorates as the day progresses.

Scientists who've studied this effect have shown that speed and accuracy at completing tasks are better in the morning and that the ability to remain alert tends to peak twice a day: once in the late morning and then again in the evening. Meaning the morning is the best time to be productive.

Identify your time thieves

We all have habits that steal our time away and eat into our productivity. Maybe it's your phone apps or your friends or habits like procrastination and worry. Or perhaps you are disorganised and don't have a plan.

If you can identify the habits that distract you and focus on limiting them, you can learn to be more productive. Aim to change just one of your habits, and your productivity levels will change almost instantaneously.