Often, when preparing for important tests, students are more nervous about the amount of subjects to review than about the content itself. Knowing how to be more productive as a student is key to overcoming this anxiety.
is possible to exert greater control over these activities. Let’s look at some of the actions you can add to your routine, and tips for productivity in your studies.
Adopting these small and simple actions will give you greater control over the activities to be carried out, and the time available to do so.
Everyone has their own method, and there is no perfect study plan, but rather a study plan that best suits you. Read on for our tips on how to be productive while studying:
1 – Define your study schedule
Low productivity in studies often results from difficulty in fitting content from multiple disciplines into one’s free time. The time available simply doesn’t seem sufficient for all the books you have to read, the research you have to do, and the papers you have to turn in on time.
If this is the case, then putting together a study schedule can help a great deal. Create your first flowchart and list all the outstanding subjects and their respective contents. Then determine the days and times to dedicate to each subject, according to the deadlines to be met.
2 – Learn to manage your time
Our second tip on how to be more productive complements the first. There is no point in maintaining a detailed schedule if you cannot manage the time required to focus on studies.
Commit to studying according to your established plan, and organize your routine to make the necessary time for this activity. It’s also important to determine times for rest, leisure, work and other daily activities.
3 – Take a break
Studying for hours on end may seem like a good way to increase productivity at first glance. However, this strategy is neither the healthiest nor the most effective. It causes mental fatigue that hinders learning – and, consequently, productivity – resulting in wasted time.
We recommend taking regular breaks, and allowing the mind to rest a little before it continues its efforts of absorbing content. Try the pomodoro technique — 5 minutes of break for every 25 minutes of study — and, if necessary, adjust these timings to whatever works best for you.
4 – Avoid distractions
Another factor that greatly influences productivity is the amount of distractions students have to deal with. Distractions can stem from both external elements, such as the presence of others in the study environment, and from habits that can be difficult to break, such as the use of social networks.
When studying, you need to focus on what really matters. So turn off your social media notifications and give preference to a quiet environment, without conversations, television and other noise that can disrupt your concentration.
5 – Choose a suitable space to study
This can make all the difference. Home workers, for example, know all too well how the work environment can impact productivity. The same applies to students in higher education, which covers a great deal more content than in school.
So make sure to pick an appropriate venue for your studies. Instead of studying in bed, use a table – better posture leads to an increase in focus, and you’ll feel less sleepy as you study.
6 – Vary your studying content
Students often choose to focus on one subject at a time, so as not to interrupt their reasoning during the learning process. This strategy is valid, but does not necessarily work for everyone. In some cases, it is best to seek a compromise.
Try dedicating a day to each subject, and alternating content throughout the week. This allows the mind to rest a little between disciplines, especially complex topics which require a greater effort to assimilate.
Define your current goals and priorities, know your needs and check your available time, to establish when each topic should be addressed.
Once you’ve established your goals and priorities, try and reward yourself upon their completion – by resting, for example. A system of rewards will help to keep your spirits up as you progress.
7 – Establish when you are most productive
This tip, which should be applied to your life in general as well, involves recognizing what works for you, and at what times you get the most out of your studies.
Some people study more productively in the morning after a good night’s sleep. For others, the ideal is at night or even at dawn, in silence. There is no right or wrong here – simply organize your routine to take advantage of the moments in which you are more willing to study, and increase your productivity.
8 – Stick to a healthy diet
Productivity requires a fully-functioning body and mind, which in turn require energy. Opt for lighter, healthier ingredients, and don’t forget to hydrate – consuming plenty of water is essential.
A healthy diet is essential to productively managing an extended studying routine. In the day-to-day rush, it is common to skip the occasional meal, but don’t overdo it: try to maintain a healthy routine as much as possible, eat your three main meals of the day, and consume healthy snacks in order to keep your body’s energy up.
9 – Take care of your sleep routine
Unfortunately, going without sleep to extend the studying period is a bad habit which many students fall into. The body needs a good night’s sleep to be able to function properly during the day. In order to stay productive, it’s important to take care of your health.
10 – Identify the best study methods for you
There are many ways to study more productively, from reading to solving exercises, producing summaries and more.
Find out which method works best for you by trying them all. Identify the ones which led to better results, and were easy to adapt to. Remember that our memory reacts differently to each studying technique, according to the individual.
For example, underlining the most important parts of a text and setting up tables containing key information works very well for some students – others prefer to watch videos on the subject, or choose to solve exercises. Neither approach makes you a less productive student.
In addition to these tips, productivity can be increased by using technology to your advantage – including apps that help to organize schedules and manage your routine. In addition, saving files in the cloud lets you access study material from anywhere, even on your phone, and optimize your time.
Many students experience difficulties in organizing their studies, regardless of how easy the subjects are. The important thing is to follow these tips on how to be more productive as a student, and keep dedicating yourself to learning more and more.