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Focus Keeper 

Focus Keeper is an app that helps you study using the Pomodoro Method. If you’re not familiar with the Pomodoro Method, you will study for one Pomodoro which is 25 minutes, take a five minute break, then do another Pomodoro, and repeat until you have finished four Pomodoros. Every four Pomodoros, you will take a longer break, often between 15 and 30 minutes. The Pomodoro Method  helps you maximize focus and productivity during your study periods.

Pros

  • It already has the 25 minute Pomodoro set.
  • It has the 5 min short breaks and 25 min long breaks preset. 
  • It allows you to set a goal for how many Pomodoros you want to do in a given session.

Cons

  • If you want to change the goal from the default of 12, you have to pay for the premium version of the app.
  • If you want to change the length of your breaks or Pomodoros, you have to pay for the premium version of the app.

Other Things to Know

  • While you are studying or on break, the clock ticks for the entire 25 or five minutes. If you don’t like the ticking, you can always turn your volume off, but if you do, you will not be able to hear when the alarm goes off. 
  • The app will go straight from the 25 minute counter to the 5 minute counter and back to the 25 minute counter. You do not have to press anything to transition from a break to a Pomodoro.
  • You can pause or skip your breaks and Pomodoros. 
  • You can see a chart showing how many Pomodoros you’ve done over the last 3 days, and if you want to see a chart for a longer period, you must pay for the premium version.

Flora

Flora is an app that allows you to set timers for Pomodoros and breaks. This app uses positive reinforcement and punishment to incentivize you to not use other apps on your phone during Pomodoro sessions (by growing you a tree during your session and killing it if you do not complete the session). The app also lets you create to do lists, and it can send reminders to complete your to do list items. 

Pros

  • You are able to change the number of minutes in your Pomodoros and breaks for free.
  • Your seedling grows into a virtual plant if you finish your Pomodoro, so you get some sort of reward for your focus time. 
  • You can make your to do list and set goals for hours of productivity for free.
  • You can use Flora with friends and grow plants together during your focus sessions.

Cons

  • After each Pomodoro, you will have a “story.” This story is like a post on your feed, and it will say, “Killed a tree,” if you did not complete your Pomodoro. However, it does help incentivize you to finish your Pomodoros.
  • If you want to see new plants grow during your Pomodoros, you must purchase the Amazon Rainforest world tour for $2.
  • You cannot pause the clock. You can pause the session, but the clock will keep going, and your screen will change from green to grey.

Other Things to Know

  • If you leave the app during your Pomodoro, your story will say you killed a tree.
  • This app does not make noise during the Pomodoros or the breaks, and it does not sound an alarm when they are finished.
  • When you begin a Pomodoro, you will see messages under the clock. Some are positive, such as, “You are amazing, you are brave, you are strong,” and some are scolding. For example, “Don’t you dare leave this room!”

Conclusion

After using both apps, I think Focus Keeper is good if you have solid self-discipline and want the clock ticking in the background as you study. However, if you need an incentive to stay off your phone while you study, Flora is the better choice. (Alternatively, if you find the ticking noise in Focus Keeper annoying, or you want to change the number of minutes in each Pomodoro and break, I recommend using the basic clock/timer app on your phone).

 

 

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Today’s blog post will highlight videos created by the Academic Skills Center that can guide you toward being the most productive student you can be. 

Reading Improvement

This video covers how to prepare to read by picking the best time of day and place to read, how to improve your reading rate, and strategies to improve reading comprehension. (Tip: Skip to 1:00 for the informational part of the video). 

 

Notetaking

This video covers how to get the most out of your lectures. If you actively learn in class and review immediately after class, you’ll have better mastery of the material and will save time studying outside of class!

 

Improving Memory and Retention

This video emphasizes the importance of review. Review can increase your productivity because spending small chunks of time consistently reviewing will consolidate your memory of a topic. This will prevent cramming, so you won’t have to sit down for hours and hours to study the day before an exam.

 

Time Management

The ultimate productivity tool is time management. This video will give you tips on how to best utilize your term calendar and your weekly schedule. The video explains how planners allow you to find your free time, and how you can maximize your productivity in short breaks. Lastly, the video covers goal-setting. It is always easier to find the will to be productive when you know what you’re working toward! 

 

  

 

Sleep

This video is less tip-oriented than the rest, but it acknowledges that sleep improves memory retention. If you better absorb the material, you’ll spend less time rereading and learning material because you’ll have better focus while you study! Long story short, please take care of yourself because it will pay off in the long-run!

 

Chemistry

This video covers strategies to do well in general chemistry. However, you can take these strategies and apply them to most classes, especially ones with labs.

 

Studying Foreign Language

This student-made video offers tips on how to maximize your language learning experience at Dartmouth! It has great, Dartmouth-specific tips for mastering language (however, it’s worth noting that the Tutor Clearinghouse has discontinued the Conversation Partner program).

 

As an added bonus to watching these productivity-inspiring videos, you’ll get to see the old fashion and hairstyles of Dartmouth students, way back in the day! Happy watching!

 

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This topic - ways to improve productivity - was highly requested when we polled students over social media. We hope that you find these tips helpful and are able to create a more productive schedule!  

1. Establish a Routine

Starting your day with a glass of water and a healthy breakfast can let your body know that you are ready for the day and boost your productivity.

It might be difficult to establish an exact day-to-day routine during quarantine due to the uncertainty happening all around us. Rather than scheduling specific hours of the day for specific tasks, blocking your day into big categories that you want to accomplish daily can be a great alternative. An example of categories could be: work, exercise, music, and rest. This way of scheduling can keep you accountable by touching on those categories and still give you some flexibility in allocating the amount of time spent in each and when you do it.

2. Have a Daily To-Do List

A key tip to improve productivity is to have a daily to-do list that outlines the goals and items that you want to accomplish each day. Putting the agenda with the highest priorities on the top of the list can help you stay focused as you are not distracted by less important tasks during the day. Crossing out tasks that are finished on the list can give you feelings of accomplishment, validation, and most importantly, the sense that you are moving closer and closer to your goal. Try to create a to-do list the night before, so you are ready to go the next day and don’t waste time worrying about what to do in the morning. 

3. Keep Your Workplace Organized

It is really easy to accumulate a lot of irrelevant things on your table or desk that might eventually distract you from focusing on and finishing your work. After each task, try to put away the items you no longer need. It will give you a break to stand up and walk a little, and hopefully you’ll be able to find those items quickly the next time you need them. As a bonus, they won’t be cluttering your workspace in the meantime.

4. Delegate Time for Check-Ins and Calls with Family and Friends

Motivation and encouragement help drive productivity. Quarantine can be hard and lonely; thus, it is especially important to set aside time to call friends or family members during this time. Through check-ins with other people, you may describe what you have done in the past few days, which can help you keep track of your work. By listening to how others are doing, you may find motivation, which will boost your productivity. We all need to recharge sometimes and talking to close family members and friends is one of the best ways! 

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1. Self-direction

Employers are looking for people who know what they need to get their job done. Typical training isn’t an option now with many jobs functioning virtually. 

How You Can Build Self-directional Skills

Some ways to show self-direction are starting your own business, starting up a club or research project, or taking on a job/internship where you have to work independently. Any of these will demonstrate that you’re capable of finding the right resources and putting plans into action. 

 

2. Digital capabilities

With many workplaces operating virtually, you’re going to have to be able to use a computer and software. 

How You Can Build Digital Skills

If you’ve ever learned how to use a software on your own, like Adobe Acrobat, you should be fine learning how to use other software programs you might need for work. By the way, you should get Adobe Acrobat. It’s free for Dartmouth students, and I’ve used it in both of my internships! For more digital discussion, see point 4 on Communication Management.

 

3. Empathy

People have problems, and we need to be understanding, especially during a time of intense political division and a pandemic.

How You Can Build Empathy

Being a decent human being really isn't that hard. Some ways you can practice empathy are by being kind because you don’t know what everyone is going through and being understanding when someone can’t meet a deadline, needs to change meeting dates, etc. Put yourself in their shoes, and treat others how you want to be treated.

4. Communication Management

Always in demand, communication skills are important. Now more than ever, communication skills across a variety of platforms is important.

How You Can Build Communication Skills

Some platforms I’ve encountered at internships are GoogleMeet, Zoom, Instagram, Facebook and of course, email. It’s a good idea to get familiar with using GoogleMeet and Zoom, and it’s especially important to be comfortable with email. 

I suggest getting an online job; for me, online internships give me practice writing business emails, but more importantly, they give me a space to focus on brevity and clarity in my writing. Another great way to build communication skills is as a club executive! You will have options to communicate via email, slack/groupme, and make presentations for meetings. 

Once you know the ins-and-outs of various platforms, you can become a more effective communicator by deciding which platform is best for the communication you need. I would stick to emails for quick questions and updates, and I recommend zooming for presentations or anything requiring teamwork while looking at the same screen/document/whatever. 

 

5. Adaptability

As workplaces consider changes in operation models, adaptability becomes a key skill they look for in employees. 

How You Can Build Adaptability

If you’ve adjusted to taking classes over zoom or from an in-person to an online job, you’ve already shown adaptability. Some other ways to show adaptability are simply trying new things and taking on challenges with unexpected obstacles you have to overcome.

 

6. Motivation

Motivation is essential for making critical decisions in the face of uncertainty. Employers are looking for people with the ability to self-motivate and to inspire others.

How You Can Build Motivational Skills

Much like self-direction, some ways to show motivation are to start a small business or a new club. You can also launch an initiative at work or for a club that you’re already in. Leadership roles are a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t work when motivating others. You can practice motivating others with group projects, any sort of work where you’re leading or teaching others, and with your clubs and activities!

Adapted from https://www.fastcompany.com/90568262/6-skills-employees-will-need-in-the-post-pandemic-workplace

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In light of the current pandemic, a lot of people are moving, changing their schedules, and modifying their workstyles. Students are no exception: some of them moved back home and others live off-campus with friends. Accessing a physical space in the library and studying in an indoor public area might be difficult for lots of students. Below are some tips on how to build a personal study place:

 

1. Find a spot where you feel comfortable and productive

Everyone has different study habits and works well in distinct environments. The first step is to search for a space where you are able to focus with minimal interruptions and feel comfortable (but not too comfortable!). This place can be the table in your garden, a desk in your bedroom, home office, and so on. Be creative and don’t limit yourself to what seems like a conventional working space. Then, designate the spot mainly for work and study. In this way, you are able to train your body and mind to quickly get into work mode and focus more efficiently. 

 

2. Organize your study place 

The fastest way to keep your study spot tidy is to first remove things that will distract you. I know it is hard but being honest with yourself is the key! Have you ever had the experience of looking for supplies such as a pencil, calculator, or stapler while you are in the middle of studying and need to interrupt your studying to look for the materials? You don’t need a fancy pen holder to solve this problem. A washed jar, can, or even toilet paper rolls (just need to attach a piece of paper underneath) can do the job of keeping all your office supplies in one place, so you don’t have to spend unnecessary time finding them. 

3. Prepare a planner or calendar

Remember to have a planner or calendar with you during your study. It helps to organize your study session and prioritize what needs to be done. Some people like to write everything down in a planner or calendar; others prefer to keep track of the due dates of assignments and tests and study plans in a digital calendar. There isn't a correct or single way of doing this. It all depends on what works best for you.

 

4. Decorate the place to make it personal

You will be spending a significant amount of time in your study spot; thus, it is crucial that you like the place and enjoy being there. You may want to put some small plants, paintings, etc. in your workspace to bring some liveliness to the room. Remember these items should not be distracting or occupy a huge space.

 

5. Add some inspiration

Lastly, think about what motivates you! It can be your goals, past achievements, proudest moment, a quote, or a picture of where you want to be in the future. I know studying can be tiring and you may lose track of your purpose. Writing these things down and sticking them on walls that are visible would help clarify your goals and keep you motivated during your study time!