This semester has been rough. Shortened class time, heavy coursework, lack of breaks, and quickly-settling cold weather have all caused a bit of a struggle for everyone. As students, we’re plagued with the anxieties of due dates, test dates, event dates, maybe even actual dates– and everything is expected to be completed in a condensed semester. And I’ve found myself wondering more and more frequently, How am I supposed to do this? Stand in close proximity to a particle accelerator when it blows up and become the Flash?
I’ve always been a little obsessed with the concept of time and how to use it wisely; we’ve been given only so much of it, and a lot of it goes to waste. Is there a way to counter that? Is it possible to manage our time so that we can stay on top of school work while also preventing burnout? This thought is especially relevant for students who are striving (and maybe struggling a little bit) to live the dream: the completed assignments, the good test scores, the club events, the social life, and maybe even the full eight hours of sleep each night.
I was talking with a friend about time management and doing some of my own research recently, and I came up with some great thought points as well as some practical ideas on how to efficiently manage one’s time in terms of school, relationships, and life as a whole.
One tool I was introduced to was Time Tracking. Time Tracking is simply a way to record the hours of actual work you do each day, and it can be a really helpful starting point for anyone who’s looking to use their time more wisely. For students, Time Tracking can help you figure out exactly how much time you actually spend studying (not how much time you spend kind of studying when you’re actually taking a thirty-minute social media study break every ten minutes) and motivate you to stay on task while you are tracking your time.
Personally, I was introduced to an app called Toggl. It can be found on both Apple and Android devices as well as online. What I did was create sections for each course I’m taking, and every time I sit down to do work for a certain class, I set the timer for that class. After each week, Toggl gives me a report that shows me how many hours I’ve studied for each course and how much time I’ve spent on each assignment or project. It’s helped me to be more aware of how much I think I’m studying vs. how much I’m actually studying. And since I’ve been more aware of this time, I have been able to tweak my study habits and get the most out of my study sessions. Ultimately, Time Tracking as helped me to be more conscious of how my time is used so that I can be more productive with it.
Time Tracking is a great way to go when you want to be more productive, but what about those times when you’re feeling so unmotivated you’re contemplating just staying in bed the entire day? In these moments, it’s important to set small goals. Essentially, you have to trick your brain.
For instance: When I know I have to read a fifty page-long chapter of my Organic Chemistry textbook, I’m obviously not going to want to do it. It’s such a monumental task and there are so many better things to do (like staying in bed).
But what if I read just a paragraph of my textbook? That doesn’t seem so bad. A paragraph will take just a minute to read. So I read a paragraph-and the amazing thing is. Well, I've already started reading, so I might as well read one more paragraph. A few paragraphs turns into a page, and a few pages turn into ten pages.
Set small goals at first, because sometimes, the hardest part is starting. Once you start, it’s easy to keep on going.
One more thing I’ve realized is that active learning is key. It’s really easy to slip into the habit of passive learning: typing notes word-for-word from the powerpoint lecture, reading without sorting and processing the information, being too worried about how your notes look instead of what your notes contain (something I do a lot), and more. Passive learning is easier, but it’s definitely not more productive. Instead, push yourself to actively process information. In lectures, stay alert. When professors ask questions, try to answer them before you are given the answers. After the lecture, don’t just put away your notes - look them over and highlight key concepts or circle topics you don’t completely understand. When you’re studying or reading on your own, sort information into summaries, charts, or diagrams. Read things aloud and process what the information is trying to tell you, making connections with what you already know and what new information you’re processing. It may seem like it takes a lot more time to actively learn, but in the long run, you’re saving yourself countless hours of unnecessary confusion and cramming.
Sometimes, doing too much can actually hinder your productivity. If you’re getting burned out often or if you’re finding it hard to keep up with tasks even though you’re using all the time you’ve got, this may be a sign that you’re overscheduled. Overscheduling leads to exhaustion, and exhausted people are less productive. If you find that you’re doing too much, assess your current schedule and see where you can make a few changes. Maybe that means telling a friend that you’re sorry, but no, you won’t be able to participate in that event. Maybe that means assuring yourself that your work can wait until morning and having an early night instead. Maybe that even means dropping that extra class you decided to take. It’s important to set aside some time during the day - maybe even just a half hour - where you can intentionally relax. Whether that means reading a book, starting a non-school project, or spending quality time with a friend, it’s essential to set aside time to do things you want to do.
In the end, productivity is all about balance and doing things intentionally. Time Tracking, setting small goals, active learning, and setting aside time for yourself are all great ways to increase your productivity, but I encourage you to go out and discover what works best for you. Of course, there will always be days when we do things just because, or days when we can’t bring ourselves to do things, no matter how hard we try. And those days are okay.
Ultimately, though, don’t give up. Keep on striving for the best, and I guarantee that you will learn to be as productive as possible while also getting those eight hours of sleep.
More Resources
Youtube: Med School Insiders - A channel that contains a lot of great study tips and advice on how to maximize your time - some content is aimed specifically at pre-med students, but most of their videos contain information that’s helpful to everyone, not just pre-med students
Podcasts: Cortex, episode 45 “Cortex Working Group” - If you’re interested in starting Time Tracking, this episode provides some good information about it
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