Productivity/ Boredom Tips

By Gabi Tien '23 and Gregory Roitbourd '22

Anyone who is a pro at procrastinating would know that being quarantined is both their best friend and worst enemy. It’s great in the sense that you can constantly do what you love - waste time and fantasize over putting off all the work until some other time in the unforeseeable future. But in reality, we need to come to the realization that it isn’t acceptable to continue exercising this habit. We need to make the best out of this time of isolation and do what we can to keep ourselves on track. Although it seems like being lazy is the only favorable option, we still have deadlines looming over our heads and work that we can’t avoid forever. If you're someone who is struggling to be productive, here are some tips to help you out, and some tips on what you can do with your time!

• Make a schedule

You’ve probably been given this advice on multiple occasions, but it does, in fact, help you get your work done. Waking up at a reasonable time gives you a generous part of the day to complete your work. Sleep is vital to both our mental and physical health, but the only way to get enough is by going to bed at a decent hour. We now have the luxury of rolling out of bed to get to school, so allow yourself to sleep in, to some extent. Making a schedule is essential to stay on track. Take 15 minutes out of every morning to stop and think about what you plan to do during the day. Write down the tasks you want to accomplish in a planner, in your reminders in your phone, or any other medium that fits your liking. Create a to-do list with all necessities, like schoolwork, chores, and other personal activities. You could also add other things you enjoy like playing a sport or baking. You can then organize it by time, size, or alphabetical order, if you like a challenge.

• Eliminate all distractions

When you eliminate the distractions around you, your productivity will definitely increase. As humans, we are easily distracted, so creating a less attention-grabbing workspace will allow us to optimize our productivity. This includes removing things like unnecessary technology, any food or beverages, and any form of entertainment. If you like to listen to music while you study, listen to it through your computer rather than your phone, so you will be less likely to use the excuse: “Oh, I’m just gonna switch the song.” C’mon…we all know you are actually just going to look at Tik Toks for three hours. Also, if you need to complete something important but have siblings that bug you, just close the door. Simple!

• Create a cleaner and safer environment

Adding on to our last point, cleanliness is always key for staying focused. It’s helpful to sometimes get your room as organized as possible so you don’t have to spend 10 hours looking for the paper you had to submit a week ago. Take time out of your weekend, or any free time you have, and sort through your school work. The work you want to keep can be put in any storage space to keep your room organized. Also, it is useful to be able to see your desk. If you have a bunch of clutter and trinkets around your desk, sort through it and make sure you leave only what’s necessary.

• Work on self-care

It is extremely important to take care of yourself, and this includes both your mental and physical health. Whenever you have down time, make sure to check in with yourself as well as your friends. During this time it can be hard to eat well, but try to incorporate healthy foods into your diet and set aside time to exercise. If you’re feeling extra stressed one night, try taking a bath, reading your favorite book, or listen to some relaxing music that gives you good vibes. Mental health is of utmost importance so make sure you take time for yourself. Meditation is a great way to stabilize your thoughts. There are so many resources out there like Youtube videos you can follow and apps and platforms like Headspace. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone if you're struggling! Talk to a teacher, friend, or relative and although it is hard, try to stay positive during these times!