Make Your College Weekend More Productive
Weekends tend to fly by pretty fast. However, it is a decent part of a week, and this time can be productively used. It doesn’t mean that one should work as hard as on weekdays. It means that there are ways to gain more of one’s time with not so much of an effort. The good news is that it is possible to do things and at the same time relax on weekends. Here are five easy ways how to manage that:
1. Maintain normal sleeping routine
This might sound boring, but it is true. Keeping the same sleeping routine is good for our health. It is essential for feeling well-rested and having good cognitive functioning. So it is better to wake up at the same time every day, whether it is Monday or Saturday. There is no need to set the alarm, just follow your internal clock and do not oversleep. First of all, you will feel fresh and motivated to start the day. Secondly, you will have more energy.
To start the morning with more energy, one might do some light exercises, for instance yoga or take alittle walk outside. It will boost one’s energy and set a productive mood.
2. Have a set schedule
The tricky part of a weekend is that it seems that one has plenty of time. That is why people tend to postpone stuff and eventually not get it done. There is no need to have a very intense schedule. The secret is to know what exactly one plans to do. First of all, separate a list of thing into three categories:
- What you must do
- What you want to do
- What you do not have to do.
Write down three columns, and you will have a picture of what you are aiming for. For example, if there is some studying to do, it should go to the “must” category. All the hobbies and social interactions are what one wants to do. The category “what not to do” means that one should rest and do nothing.
The secret of efficient time management is knowing what needs to be done and what can be postponed to the following days. Some tasks can be rendered to weekdays or even solved with the help of others. For instance, if you have an urgent essay and a wonderful concert to visit, choose wisely. There are professionals at EssayPro who can help you with any task. Don’t let your studying spoil the weekend.
What about planning? For example, a lot of people tend to call it a day in the middle of Friday, and it is understandable, so set the hobbies and meeting friends on this day. Then, Saturday can be more productive and Sunday can be reserved for relaxation and some quality “me time.”
3. Combine studying with other routines
Another way to manage time effectively is by doing a few things simultaneously. Multitasking is very good for being more productive. What can be combined? Well, for example, fitness routine and knowledge recollection. If you are into jogging or going to the gym, you probably listen to music while doing exercises. Try to listen to educational podcasts or audiobooks instead. This way, one can maintain a fitness routine and get extra knowledge.
One can also combine social interactions and studying. For instance, it is pretty efficient to study together, whether in the library or at the dorm. This way, one can spend time with a dear friend and recall some knowledge. Having a study buddy also helps to stay more motivated. When there is someone else included in an educational process, it is much harder to procrastinate.
4. Rest from social media
It is simply scary how much time we spend scrolling on our smartphones. Some people start their day with Instagram or Facebook. Altough social media has its advantages, it does not boost productivity. Try to set your phone aside for a little while, at least when you are studying or relaxing. It will help you concentrate better. When there is nothing to distract students, they do the work much faster.
It is also great to take a break from social media while resting. First of all, beware the levels of anxiety. Secondly, looking on the screen all day long isn’t healthy. Avoid laptops and phones for an hour or two before sleep, and you will rest better. Think about it as a necessary routine to maintain mental health.
5. Have a productive rest
When you rest, you rest. A lot of students tend to call it a “rest” when they lie on their bed procrastinating. It is not relaxing as you still know in the back of your mind that you are wasting time. There comes anxiety with “I should really be doing something.”
Treat your relaxation well; it is of the same importance as working time — set a schedule for doing nothing or being busy with what you love to do. One needs to get used to the idea that doing nothing is as essential as doing something. We all need to re-charge.
There is no need to turn the weekend into another hard-working session. These five tips will help one to make it more productive in terms of both study and relaxation. It is crucial to set a schedule, know what has to be done and have free time as well. Try not to leave all the chores and tasks on the weekends; there should be a proper rest for a body and mind.
Article written by Jenine Wing
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.