Being productive is not about spending the most time on a task. It is about achieving the best results with the most efficiency. The first thing to do if you want to be more productive is to change your mindset about how you measure effectiveness.

Some people tend to brag about how much time they spend on an assignment as if it makes the paper itself any better. Measure your success not by the long hours but by the result achieved. You don’t have to spend a lot of time if you will be more effective with your studies.

If you want to be more productive, here are some tips on how to work smarter, not harder.



1. Have a Study Routine

People work better with routines and having one is also beneficial for your health. Having a routine makes your study more productive as it eliminates all unnecessary efforts that can appear in chaos. If you wake up at the same time, go for a walk, and study at the same time every day – your brain will be trained to quickly refocus on the following task.

Yes, waking up at a schedule doesn’t sound to fun for students, but if you try to put some kind of routine into your studies, you’ll be much more productive.

2. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines

Another productivity killer is the lack of set goals. It is much easier to achieve something if you know what you’re going for. Set goals for specific periods and make them clear. Something like “be a better student” is not clear. You can rather put something like “get better grades at Physics” or “Get an A on final for Literature”. You can have smaller ones for a week and a larger one for a semester. Do not forget about deadlines – the sense of urgency makes people more effective.

3. Write To-Do Lists

This is another technique that helps to have a structured working process. And our brains love to-do lists, they help to focus on what’s important. What is important is to also prioritize the tasks in such lists. Do not put down everything that comes to mind. Have several categories like urgent and important, urgent but not important, not urgent but important, and neither urgent, nor important. Put the top-priorities at the beginning on the list and start with them. You can also have two columns like “Must Do” and “Can Do” so as soon as you are done with musts, you can do other tasks that are not as essential.



4. Take Breaks

To recharge and be more effective, you need to take regular breaks. There are several techniques, but you should take a short break not less than once in an hour or an hour and a half. It restores motivation and helps to prevent decision fatigue. The rules are simple – decide on when to take a break and how long. Even 5 minutes is good. Do not exceed the time of rest.

5. Do Not Multitask

Multitasking doesn’t work. It is just a rapid switch of the focus that is not helpful for the brain. It results in getting tired quickly and being less productive. Focus on one thing at a time and you’ll get it done much faster. Turn off all distractions, like smartphone, TV, or music (for those who are distracted by it). Do not check your social media every 5 minutes – nothing important is happening on Instagram now, I promise.

6. Choose Workspace Carefully

Place where you study impacts the workflow. It is always better to have a designated area for this – it is a part of a routine and it eliminates decision fatigue. The less little decisions you make in a day, the more productive you’ll be. That’s why Steve Jobs was wearing the same outfit every single day. Choose the space that works for you and stick to it. It should be comfortable physically and emotionally, and calm. Eliminate distractions and have all the necessary supplies and tools right there.

7. Take Care of Yourself

The basis of being successful is being healthy. If you are tired, sick, or unwell – you won’t be able to perform your best. That’s why it is important to eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Also, use stress-relieving techniques, like meditation, reading, or doing something creative. You are your best resource, so take care of yourself.

In Summary

Working smarter is all about taking the best from what you have. One needs to learn proper time management and prioritization of tasks. It is helpful to have an established routine and automate any unimportant things. And, of course, it is essential to have a healthy lifestyle.


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