Wellness Corner 4: Productivity
As Thanksgiving break approaches, students might find that their schedules are piling up and assessments abound. So the Wellness Committee has compiled 5 tips to help you manage your time and be über-productive.
1. Create a To-Do List
Here's an obvious one, which you probably already do. The question is… Do you do it correctly? Make handwritten lists with spaces to check off completed items (checking off these items cues a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure - you get a boost each time you complete an activity). Be specific in your descriptions of the tasks you need to do (not just “write essay,” but “write Roman conquest essay (due on Nov. 10)”). Also, factor in task duration and brain breaks.
2. Stop Procrastinating
Putting off tasks is very common in high school students and can lead to stress as deadlines approach. In the words of Brian Tracy, “Eat that frog!”. Tackle the most despised task (your frog) first to get it off your plate and maintain momentum for the rest of your day or week.
3. Avoid Multitasking
Here's a controversial one that I’ve mentioned before; many people believe that multitasking is a way to blast through your tasks and be doubly efficient. However, it can hinder focus and productivity, which means you’ll start many tasks and finish very few.
4. Find Your Sweet Spot
Figure out when you're the most productive and try to fit in a lot of work at that time. Most teenagers find that the late evening is a time when they are very productive, but others prefer working in the early morning. Also, try to get enough rest (7-8 hours of sleep per night). Your body clock has to be regulated for you to be truly productive.
5. Stand Up
We spend A LOT of time sitting down: at our desk, watching TV, driving the car. The solution? Standing. Use a stand-up desk when doing homework. This can eliminate time-wasting and force you to get down to business. Or alternate sitting with standing/walking, taking short walks every 30-45 mins.
I hope this list of tips and tricks is useful to you! Remember to…
Stay well,
Eshaan Mani — Outreach Officer of the Wellness Committee
