By Rajvee Patel
With the extended amount of time we spend at home now, staying productive and not losing the motivation to work have become some of the most common struggles students face. In an effort to combat lack of motivation and stress, I have put together a few tips you can use to ace your classes at Zoom University this school year.
- The Pomodoro Technique
This time management system is great for those who struggle with effectively dividing work up and getting it done. With The Pomodoro Technique, you split your workday into manageable 25-minute chunks with five-minute breaks in between. These 25-minute work periods are called “pomodoros,” hence the name “The Pomodoro Technique.” You repeat this cycle four times, and once that is completed, you can take a longer 15-minute break.
This productivity strategy helps to channel all of your attention on completing one task at a time. When you start the timer for 25 minutes, you are not allowed to work on other assignments, and you have to refrain from getting distracted by interruptions. By being more focused, you are likely to finish your work more quickly and more accurately.
- Don’t Procrastinate
Due to distance learning, most teachers are now more lenient with due dates, letting their students submit assignments towards the end of the week or during the weekends. Although it may seem like a long time before a task is due, time flies. The best way to stay productive is to finish as many assignments as soon as possible so you don’t have to do them at the last minute. For example, imagine that you have a project to submit on a Friday, and it was assigned to you on Monday. If the task requires a lot of work, and you can’t finish it all in one day, spread the work throughout the week. Do one portion of the assignment on Tuesday and the other portion on Wednesday. Splitting up work over a few days can make it more manageable and easier to finish.
Being on top of things, you may think, is an obvious and overused tip. However, it doesn’t just apply to work. It also comes in handy when you have a question about something or notice a grading error that your teacher might have made. When you are confused or notice a mistake in your gradebook, it is best to notify your teacher as early as possible. Do not wait until the day before grades are due to try and fix errors on Aeries. You should value your teacher’s time and your own.
- Create A Study Group
Students can easily get lost during their classes and then lose motivation. Sometimes, the instructions you receive can be confusing or leave you with hundreds of questions. If you don’t understand something, you are less likely to want to study that subject. The best way to solve this problem is to reach out to your peers. Creating a study group with your friends or classmates can help clear doubts that you may have about class material or confusing topics. Also, it is more fun to study with others.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Another advantage that comes with online learning is that you don’t have to meet anyone in person. All you need to do is shoot them an email or text. Students tend to shy away from asking important questions that can help them learn because they are afraid of being judged or embarrassed. In reality, the question you have is not going to be seen as “weird” or “dumb” because there are probably 20 other students who have the same question. You’ll be helping yourself and those around you by being the first one to ask.
- Listen To Lofi Music
A quick disclaimer: The usefulness of this tip depends on what music you are most comfortable listening to when studying. Nowadays, it is common for students to listen to music while they work, but for some, it can be distracting and slow down their productivity. Personally, I have found that I work more slowly if I listen to songs that have words in them. Thanks to my YouTube recommendations and Spotify, I recently discovered lofi, a kind of music you can play in the background while you work. What sets lofi apart is that it doesn’t have any words, just different calming beats. Lofi has given me a way to still listen to music when I’m studying, but not get distracted. Better yet, I have noticed that I get my work done twice as fast now.
There are thousands of lofi playlists out there; all you have to do is search “lofi music,” and there will be plenty to choose from on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. There are also Discord servers dedicated to lofi music, and if you are interested in getting involved with the study community, this is a great way to start.
- Go Outdoors (But At Home)
Staying indoors, sitting on the same chair, and staring at a screen all day can get tiring; plus, it’s not good for your mental and physical well-being. Stepping outside for fresh air can help you relax, clear your thoughts, and give you some time alone. You do not have to go far. You can simply walk around in your backyard and look at the flowers, trees, or plants. You can also set down a tarp or picnic blanket and watch the clouds, read a book, or paint. If you don’t have a backyard or porch, you can take a walk at your local park (with a mask on, of course). The main goal is to go outside for a short period of time to recharge both brain and body.
I’m honestly not really a fan of the lo-fidelity genre, but I understand that it works wonders for some people while studying.
Personally, I listen to the soundtrack to the videogame Minecraft while studying. Although it makes me slightly wistful, I find it relaxing and not bombastic as opposed to some of the other pieces I like to listen to during my free time (e.g. Scriabin sonatas, Beethoven’s Hammerklaiver) but have often loud portions. I’m not sure what about the combination of synthesizers and piano that makes the Minecraft soundtrack seem relaxing, but it is also reflected in some of the music by a group called Aivi and Surasshu, which also uses piano and chiptune in their tracks, some of which I find relaxing.
I tend to not have to worry about the words problem at all, as about 99% of the music that I listen to does not contain words. However, as a musician, I often get distracted by loud, bombastic parts, emphasized melodies, and so forth.
That is probably why I find the soundtrack to the videogame Minecraft so calming and helpful while I work as opposed to lo-fi music.