7 Ways to be a Productive College Student

(image via pinterest)

With the end of the semester on the horizon, you might feel like you're drowning in "To Dos" (I am). Everyone has their own definition of being productive, but I simplify it to getting things done. This week, I wanted to share my personal tips on how to be a productive college student (or person :)). This semester, I developed a new mentality on how to spend my time. I have a very challenging major and have other outside responsibilities, but I also want to make the most out of these four years. I don't want to sacrifice a test grade for an ice cream date, but at the same time, I don't want to miss out on great memories just to study vocabulary words. So, I strive to create a good balance between school and friends.

1. Prioritize.

I think this is the tip that almost everyone gives. Simply make a list of things you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO COMPLETE. Sometimes I make a list of everything I need to get done in the next three days, and it's way too overwhelming. Just take it one day at a time. (WRITE THAT STUFF DOWN IN YOUR PLANNER, FOLKS). 

2. Take advantage of breaks

My classes for the most part are back to back. But, whenever I do have a lull period, or a class gets cancelled, I will try to complete small tasks, like responding to emails or finishing my daily French homework. That way, I get to focus on larger assignments during my designated study time. 

3. Don't overwork yourself.

Make sure that you don't work so hard you're becoming unproductive. There are some days that I have so much work to do it seems unmanageable. But, if I'm writing a paper at 1 a.m. in an exhausted state, the chances are that the quality of the paper isn't very great. Usually I recognize when it's time to call it quits for the day and work it into tomorrow's schedule. 

4. Plan fun rewards for yourself.

Like I wrote earlier, I try to balance my social and school lives. I am the type of person that gets everything done first and then rewards myself so I don't get behind. But, sometimes I'll even write in my planner "Get ice cream with so-and-so" so that I have that reward to look forward to, but am also aware of things I need to accomplish beforehand. 

5. Save Netflix for last. 

Unless I'm having a terrible day or just finished a terrible test, I save Netflix for last. Don't get me wrong, I love an occasional One Tree Hill binge, but most of the time I feel guilty for watching instead of studying. Sometimes, I use it as a reward for completing my entire to-do list! 

6. Change your surroundings.

Everybody has their preferred studying environment. For me, it's the library--I accomplish tonsss more in a focused, academic environment than my social dorm. A lot of times I will just study in my dorm, but on days when I know I need to get things done, I'll bring some snacks and camp out in the library. 

7. Don't be afraid to say no.

This is definitely the hardest for me, especially since I have that whole "make memories & study" philosophy. But, at the end of the day, you are at college to earn a degree. Most likely, your friends will understand when you can't hang out. Everyone has those weeks. FOMO is real, but chances are there will be another social opportunity soon. 

I hope these tips help in the coming stressful weeks!

XO

The Social Media Cleanse.

Let me just start out by saying that I kinda failed at this cleanse. But, I want to be honest about why I did it and why I failed.

You might remember in last week's post that I briefly mentioned a social media cleanse I was going to do this past week. The idea developed for a few reasons--the first being I had a ton of school work to catch up on/I had my hardest test of the semester this week, and the second was that I am on my phone WAY. TOO. MUCH.

I know that's such a stereotypical thing to say, but over Spring Break, I found my phone-time was taking away from my friends-and-family-time. Several times during our Spring Break trip, someone would suggest we put our phones completely away during that meal. Yes, it was kind of unnatural and awkward at first, but I think we enjoyed ourselves more during those times. We got to truly appreciate each other's company without being virtually interrupted.

Anyway, back to why I failed...I truly only did the cleanse for about 5.5 days. And, I got on Instagram on someone else's phone halfway through the week. The reason why it ended early is somewhat justifiable in my opinion...I studied ALL weekend for a test I had this past Monday. And I was going crazy just sitting alone with my chemistry book. So, obviously Instagram was a needed companion (have I mentioned I'm dramatic?).

I thought that cutting out social media would allow me to have more time for things I enjoyed, such as reading, but it really didn't. I think this can somewhat be attributed to the fact that I was playing academic catch-up during post-SB week. So, I do want to try this again sometime and see what happens!

I have a few thoughts on social media--and one huge thing to keep in mind is that everything is OK in moderation. But, at least for me, my time spent liking photos has way surpassed moderation.

1. Leads to Comparison

How many times have you scrolled through Instagram on a Sunday night, looking at all the "really great things" that happened during that "really fun weekend" and everyone just has "the best lives!" For real. We've all done it. And it causes us to look back on our own lives and pick out all the terrible things. It is all an illusion!!! For that one photo, how many arguments, stressful situations, and exhaustion were also included in that day? I know it sounds cliche, but social outlets only show the highlights.

2. FOMO

FOMO caused me to have a ton of insecurities through all of middle school/early high school. I would be at home by myself on a Friday night and see a Snapchat of my friends all at a movie together. Then, I would start questioning why I wasn't there, and it led to a ton of insecurity and mainly loneliness. 

I don't mean to be a downer in all of this, these are just some thoughts I had when I had time to reflect in the "quiet". I love how social media is used as a creative outlet--it allows people to share their lives through their personal lens. I also think that this cleanse would have been a lot easier to do alongside a friend. When you're sitting at a social gathering and everyone's on their phones, it's kind of awkward to give the "I'm taking a break right now" response. So, do it with a friend-makes it less awkward and makes you more accountable!

Reflecting on this cleanse, I know I definitely could have done a better job. But, I'm going to try to restrict my time over the next few weeks. There's a setting on your phone where you can see how much time you've spent using it that day. For the next few weeks, I"m going to try to limit that time to one hour per day, and hopefully limit the time every week.

Do the positive effects of social media outweighs the negative? Let me know below!!