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Month: February 2024

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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!

Published on

Author: Mahrosh Gealani

We have discussed the disadvantages of pulling all-nighters. Now, let's talk about the hidden benefits of studying in the early morning.

Benefit 1: A Sense of Accomplishment Throughout the Day.

You feel super productive throughout the day! Starting your day with a delicious breakfast and a nice cup of coffee, all ready to tackle your assignments and meet those upcoming deadlines, is an awesome way to begin. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and gets you all set for the day ahead. Making a meaningful contribution early on really boosts your energy and sets you up for a fantastic day!

Benefit 2: You are encouraged to sleep earlier and build a good night routine.

To kickstart your day and breeze through your tasks, it's crucial to make a good night's sleep a priority. Start your evening routine with a cup of soothing chamomile tea and a relaxing stroll. These simple activities will help you wake up feeling energized and ready to conquer your to-do list. Also, try placing your alarm clock across the room before bed to resist the urge of using your phone late into the night. Remember, the more well-rested you are, the higher the chances of waking up early and having a fruitful day!

Benefit 3: You have an enhanced concentration.

Since you were able to have a great night's sleep, you won't be tackling your tasks while feeling tired. Early mornings give you the chance to approach your assignments with increased focus and fewer distractions, as there is nothing else you should be doing anyway!

Benefit 4: Early Morning Naturally Reduces Stress.

When we choose to study later in the day, we may sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the unread book or the upcoming paper that we haven't even started yet. However, if you take the opportunity to work on these tasks early in the morning, not only will you feel a great sense of achievement, but you will also enrich your entire day by being more fully engaged in the present moment. By tackling your tasks early on, you will find yourself experiencing less stress when it comes to finishing or even starting them later in the day.

Benefit 5: You are more likely to have a stronger memory retention.

Studying in the morning, instead of later in the day, is a great way to effectively engage with your work using a refreshed mind. When you are well-rested and not trying to start a task after a long day of classes, it greatly improves your chances of staying focused. With increased and clear focus, you are more likely to actively engage with the material and retain a much larger amount of information compared to studying with a tired mind.

We all have our own ways of making the most of our day. If you're finding it difficult to find time or energy to study, why not give early morning studying a shot? Make sure you prioritize getting enough sleep and set an early alarm to give it a try! 😊

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If consistently pulling all-nighters is a lifestyle, think again!

Author: Mahrosh Gealani

Here are three facts we are sure you've heard of before, but explained differently.

Number 1: lack of sleep is innately connected to lack of focus and concentration: More time at night to study is often connected to more tasks completed. You may have believed that. However, that may not always be true. In fact, sleep deficit is strongly connected to lack of attention on the task. Lack of attention on the task results in lack of motivation to get the task done. Lack of focus on the task done results in a task not efficiently done. So did lack of sleep really help?

Number 2: lack of sleep hinders critical thinking: To understand content in an academic environment, we consistently use our critical thinking. Lack of sleep is closely tied to our critical thinking capacities. Staying up all night to study for an exam may not be as helpful as you may think. Because you are running on low energy from severe lack of rest, the cognitive capacity that would've allowed you to use your critical thinking to answer the question may be compromised. So is an all-nighter an efficient plan to study for that exam?

Number 3: lack of sleep has negative impacts on mental health: This one is no secret! You have probably seen this fact in some shape or form on an instagram story, Pinterest board, or a random poster stuck to the Berry Library pillar that is probably going to fall off on its own and then be found crumpled up in the corner two weeks later. But what does this fact really mean? Your emotions are closely tied to your ability to tackle and achieve a task. Procrastination is not linked to your laziness. Procrastination is linked to your emotional well-being that convinces you that you are not good enough to even begin the task at hand. This is why losing sleep can actually damage your capacities to start a task, let alone reach the end at some point. So is losing sleep worth it?

Sleep is the most important function for a student. The proper rest will always nurture proper task completion, which will set healthy lifestyle habits!

Here are some tips for better sleep!

  1. Did you have a venti caramel macchiato with extra shots at 8 PM? Try reducing your caffeine intake after 3 PM and watch the magic of natural restful sleep happen!
  2. Are you scrolling on TikTok until 12 AM? Try making a habit of no phone 30-45 minutes before going to bed!
  3. Did you take a walk today? Anywhere? Did you do any physical activity today? Research suggests that restful sleep is closely connected to physical activity.
  4. Last but not least, be CONSISTENT! The more often you practice good habits, the easier restful sleep will get!