How to Be Productive in College

It’s the beginning of a new semester, and getting back into a rhythm after being away for Christmas break for nearly a month can be difficult. Chances are that you spent a lot of time watching Netflix, baking or spending time with family, and taking part in otherwise non-school-related activities. Coming back to college, especially when you’re starting a new set of classes and possibly adapting to a drastically different schedule, can make being “productive” feel like the last thing you want to do. But productivity, whatever it means for you, doesn’t have to be impossible – so here are some tips to make sure that you start off the spring semester of 2024 on a productive note.  

Find the space where you get the most work done 

When you want to sit down for an hour – or two, or more – and complete a few homework assignments, environment is important. Maybe you’re the type of person who needs complete silence to work, or, alternatively, need some background noise. Some people like to work in a bed or soft chair, but others will fall asleep if they try that. No matter what environment you need to do your best work, find it or create it, sit down, spread out your materials, and get to work.  

Figure out the time of day when you are most motivated 

This tip can also inform when you should try to schedule classes – if you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to begin the day, sit down and do your homework then, or schedule earlier classes. For other people, mornings are harder. If the latter describes you, then take time to wake up, drink a cup of coffee, or spend time on your morning routine before you start any school-related tasks. Chances are, you may be the type who works best after classes are over and prefers to stay up later to do homework. Finding a time of day during which you are most motivated to work on homework or other tasks for a few hours is just as important as finding the best external environment.  

Get rid of distractions (yes, that includes your phone!)  

One study conducted by Dr. Larry Rosen found that, during an observation period, students working on homework only focused on their work for approximately 65% of the time. The other 35% was spent attending to distractions, usually in the form of alternate browser tabs or apps on one’s smartphone. Rosen also coined the term “continuous partial attention,” which refers to the state in which students constantly switch between their homework or other tasks and paying attention to their phones, TV, email, or other distractors.  

Making sure that the task at hand holds your full attention instead of splitting it between the task and a nearby distraction is vital to being able to feeling and being productive. So when you sit down to work, turn your phone off – or better yet, turn it off and put it across the room. Similarly, turn off the TV and, depending on the assignment or task, disconnect from Wi-Fi altogether if possible.  

Make a to-do list or calendar, keep a planner, and set priorities 

To-do lists, calendars, and planners are some of the most effective tools for increasing productivity levels, which they do by reducing the weight of having to remember all of one’s different tasks, breaking down large tasks into smaller subunits, and allowing for prioritizing. Keeping a to-do list or planner is simple. All it requires is for you to write down the tasks you need to complete and mark them off as soon as you’re done with them. If you want to take your planner a step further, try numbering your tasks in order of priority. For example, studying for tomorrow’s biology test might take the No. 1 spot, while drafting a paper that’s not due for another few weeks might fall further down on the list. Prioritizing can help you decide what’s most important on any given day, as well as make it easier to choose which tasks you might have to save for another time.   

Work with others if you like 

Some people work great with groups – it helps them consider things from a different perspective, keeps them accountable, or provides them with a source of advice when they get stuck. If any of these descriptions apply to you, try finding a study group, or just a group of friends who are willing to hang out at the library for a few hours and finish some assignments. If not, you might prefer to work alone – and that’s just fine! Whichever way you prefer to work, take advantage of the spaces that allow you to work that way.  

Go to class and reach out for help if you need it! 

It’s hard sometimes – getting up in the morning, rolling out of bed, and heading to a class, especially an early one. However, no matter how tired or unmotivated you feel, it’s best to keep going to class. If you skip class, chances are that you will begin to fall behind, which may make you feel even less motivated to show up. Skip this harmful cycle altogether by attending class every day – and if you can’t make it due to sickness, a family emergency, or something else, don’t be afraid to ask your professor for help catching up! Concordia’s professors are known for being there for students, and you will not be any exception.  

Take time for self-care 

Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Feelings of productivity and motivation are hard to come by if your body isn’t at its best. Therefore, do whatever you can and whatever you need to make sure that you are caring for your physical wellbeing. Sometimes, this might mean recognizing that you need to take a break, even if you feel that you need to keep working.  

Having the ability to be productive in college is so important. Most students are taking several classes at once, and perhaps extracurriculars, sports, or a job on top of their educational commitments. Planning for continued productivity throughout the semester during its first few weeks will set you up for later success – and that’s what these tips are here for! So take the leap now and start off your spring semester with a plan for productivity! 

Interested in studying at Concordia University, Nebraska? Learn more here.