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Planning ahead is not just important to maximize productivity, but also for your wellbeing. If you have not already, check out our at-a-glance Wall Term Calendar!

What is Mindful Planning? Mindful Planning can best be defined as a balance you find between zooming out while planning and zooming in, when taking it day by day. Here are some fun facts about why mindful planning is important!

Fact One: You are able to take breaks! When you are completing assignments on a time crunch, you are unable to take breaks, which can lead to stress and anxiety. High levels of stress and anxiety are often connected to procrastination, which can hinder your process of completing the assignment.

Fact Two: You are able to effectively prioritize. When planning your week or term ahead of times, it allows you to reduce stress through mindfully acting on work that needs to be done on a tighter deadline. This additionally allows you to carve timeout for mindful activities such as a long walk outside or a short meditation.

Fact Three: You can review and reflect as the process unfolds. The journey of completing tasks is never linear. There might be an assignment that takes longer than you had anticipated. By planning ahead, you are able to review and reflect how you may want to tweak your future study sessions! If you haven't already, check out our 7 Day Hourly Planner, where you can modify your schedule, on a daily basis to enhance your academic journey!

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Author: Mahrosh Gealani

Before we get into the blog, have you picked up one of our Test Prep Plan Worksheet for your Finals Preparation? If you are feeling overwhelmed with the multiple tasks you have to complete for your finals studying, this worksheet is for you!

Did you know that coffee may be more harmful than helpful for academic performance? We've all made study plans with friends in coffee shops, consumed several cups in a day to stay awake, or pulled an all-nighter with coffee's aid. But how beneficial is coffee for our health?

Fact 1: Coffee is strongly related to poor sleep schedule.

You may have already concluded that the very thing keeping you awake can also disrupt your sleep. But what does this mean? An inconsistent schedule can have negative side effects such as increased stress during finals, occasional anxiety, and heightened distraction while completing tasks.

Fact 2: A Prolonged Use of Coffee Results in Daytime Sleepiness.

When coffee is consumed excessively to maintain a study schedule, it can begin to cause fatigue. This might increase the likelihood of dozing off during class, while conversing with friends, and lead to general irritability throughout the day. Such fatigue is typically caused by a lack of proper sleep, often replaced by stimulants like coffee. Consequently, a cycle of fatigue can replace the usual routine of rest.

Fact 3: Coffee can actually reduce focus and concentration.

Caffeine can affect dopamine signals in the brain. This means that an excessive coffee consumption might lead to excessively high dopamine levels, resulting in a loss of focus and concentration. Thus, while coffee isn't necessarily harmful and can provide a quick energy boost, prolonged use can lead to dependency. This dependency can increase the amount of coffee an individual requires to concentrate.

Coffee can really be our best friend, especially during something as intense as Finals Week. But, it might not always be the best long-term buddy. While it can give us a quick boost, over time it might make it a bit harder for us to fall asleep naturally, feel refreshed throughout the day, and keep our focus sharp.

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Author: Mahrosh Gealani

We've reached the finals season and procrastination is more critical than ever. So let's explore: Why do we feel the need to procrastinate?

Before we dive in: Did you know you can start preparing for your finals this coming Wednesday, March 6th? Join us on the first floor of Berry for 'Get it Done!', Academic Coaching, Librarian Research Help, and drop-in sessions at the Writing Center? Mark your Calendars!

Here are top three reasons why we feel a strong necessity to procrastinate instead of being productive:

Reason Number One: Fear of Failure. Don't sweat it, we all fear failure from time to time! Procrastination can often be a way we deal with this fear. You might hear this behavior linked with being a "perfectionist." Now, perfectionism isn't always a bad thing, especially when it helps you improve something that's already there. But when it stops you from even starting a task, that's when it can be a bit of a problem.

Remedy? Simplify the decisions you need to make about a task. For instance, if you have to write a ten-page final paper, why not start with the basic task of creating a folder in your Google Drive?

Reason Number Two: Distractions to Cope with Stress. Have you noticed that certain environments will have a certain effect on your focus? You may be able to whip up an essay in a breeze in the Tower Room, but might find yourself in a real challenge on your comfy couch at home. If you've noticed that certain spots make you a tad more distractible, maybe it's time for a little change of scenery!

Remedy? Consider joining focused study groups on campus or workshops such as the ASC's Get it Done! sessions. These emphasize accountability through focused, timed studying. If you're looking to start the reading period productively, join the First Floor Berry Finals Work-a-thon on Wednesday, March 6th to develop good study habits for finals!

Reason Number Three: Too much information at hand. Let's circle back to that 10-page final paper. What's stopping you? Is it the multitude of arguments you could dive into? Does the big "10" seem a bit much? Or maybe it's the idea of a lengthy paper with lots of pieces that's causing a little worry?

Remedy? Take a deep breath. Ask yourself: if the worry of the long list of things you need to do didn’t exist, how would you break the task apart? Have you tried our “4 Steps to Task Initiation” Worksheet? This worksheet will allow you to break the process of starting an assignment, which alleviates the worry of tackling the entire assignment at the same time.

We all have those study habits that might not be the best when we're gearing up for finals, right? But don't sweat it! With the right support and resources, we can totally turn any not-so-great habits around!

For more information on resources by the Academic Skills Center, visit our website!

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Author: Mahrosh Gealani

Though it can be a bit tough at times, academic life can actually be quite a fun and fulfilling adventure if you tackle it with the right attitude. As the final exams approach us, here are five friendly tips to make your academic journey even more enjoyable:

  1. Set Clear Goals: Do you plan to complete the entire assignment for that one class today, or is today dedicated to research? Keep in mind that an assignment can have multiple parts, so the goal is to complete what you can today. Try to break the tasks apart and tackle the first small chunk today.
  2. Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Remember, it's important to maintain a lifestyle that balances out academic stresses. Have you taken a walk or called a friend today? A structured routine outside of academia can help keep you grounded. Have you tried the ASC’s Take a Break Bingo?
  3. Embrace Challenges: Overcoming challenges boosts our confidence. It's beneficial to embrace difficulties, whether they stem from situations, assignments, or just challenging days. Try to make it through such days with a healthy lunch, a chat with friends, or a long walk can bring a sense of accomplishment.
  4. Find a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with people who radiate positive energy and attitude. We all have challenging days and nobody can maintain positivity 100 percent of the time. It's crucial to find a community that understands we may face difficulties, but also encourages perseverance. Call or text a loved one, join workshops that help with navigating academic stress, like our MoTEAvational Monday workshops, or go on a coffee date with friends after a day of studying.
  5. Celebrate Your Achievements: Setting small goals can motivate you to focus on the larger objective and make it more manageable. If you're having trouble with your goals, consider breaking them into smaller parts. Have you tried the ASC’s “4 Steps to Task Initiation” worksheet?

Remember, the process of academic journey is not always perfect or linear. Learn to embrace the small steps. If you would like someone to walk you through your academic journey, visit one of our wonderful Academic Coaches!

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Author: Mahrosh Gealani

So you came to one of our Vital Skills Workshops and have a solid plan for how you will study for your Winter Term finals. You have the tools, tips, and skills. What’s next?

Let's explore some ways to not just learn about productivity, but also put it into practice.

Productivity Pro Tip # 1: Reconsider Multi-Tasking!

Do you find yourself opening up a bunch of tabs on your web browser? Well, guess what? Research has actually shown that multitasking can do more harm than good. The more tasks you try to juggle at once, the more likely you are to get distracted. So, it might be a good idea to focus on one thing at a time for better productivity.

Have you tried opening up one web browser window at a time?

Productivity Pro Tip # 2: Set Small Goals!

Are you sometimes hesitant to start a task because you're not sure where to begin? Don't worry! By setting small goals, you can focus on one aspect of the task at a time. This will make it easier for you to identify the immediate work that needs to be done. By taking this approach, you'll be able to make meaningful contributions to the overall progress of the task.

Take a look at an assignment at hand. How would you break it apart?

Take a look at our “4 Steps to Support Task Initiation” Worksheet on our Resource Table outside Berry 178!

Productivity Pro-Tip # 3: Find an Accountability Buddy!

Surround yourself with supportive people who can help you stay on track. If you find yourself struggling to complete tasks and feeling like time is passing by without progress, there's a simple solution! Just let your friends or loved ones know that you would appreciate their support in checking in on you at specific times while you work. This will help you stay focused, motivated, and remind you of your responsibility to complete your tasks.

Text a friend to be your accountability buddy. Alternatively, you can join one of our Get it Done! sessions, where you can work in a dedicated space with accountability.

Productivity Pro-Tip # 4: Create a Calendar You Will Stick With!

Create a calendar that suits your needs and preferences, instead of the other way around! Do you often find yourself looking at your calendar but struggling to stick to it? If that sounds familiar, it might be time to identify routines that you would genuinely commit to. For example, if you're an early riser, why not consider doing your class readings at the beginning of your day? On the other hand, if you tend to stay up late due to having afternoon classes, try adjusting your schedule accordingly.

If you need help figuring out what schedule works with you, work with one of our Academic Coaches!

Start slow and build productivity habits that will remain long term!