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• create a productivity inspiring workspace - find somewhere that you can set up a study space, whether it is an actual office or just a desk. Organise everything that you will need. I have a selection of pens and my few notebooks on the top so I can easily access them. Remove anything that might cause you to be distracted and doesn’t need to be in your immediate reach. If you’re got space, put up some motivational pictures. This could be my motivational printables, some quotes or your own pictures. Plants are also proven to boost productivity, so might be worth putting a small one nearby!
• create an action list rather than to-dos - write down a few manageable tasks that you need to do and be specific on the steps you should take. Writing the actions they require will help you see what you should be doing to complete something, instead of just the overall task. If you’re able to break it down, you can take actionable steps rather than mentally having to think of each point.
• focus on 20-30 minute periods - generally, we lose focus after a while so taking regular breaks can help give you chance to relax and refocus. Apps like Forest allow you to set a timer and will give you off your phone at the same time. Obviously, if you’re being productive, don’t suddenly cut that off because it is “time for a break”. Here are some other free alternatives.
• remove distractions as best you can - I’m always distracted by social media so I will use Forest on my phone or time-lapse myself so I can’t use my phone. With my MacBook, I have two accounts. One for university and one for everything else. I am not logged into any social media on my uni account so I can’t just check it for a minute then end up wasting 20 minutes :’-)
• find an accountability partner - pick someone who you can rely on to check on you regularly and see how your tasks are coming along. You can send them your to-do list and then every few hours you can update them with your progress. You won’t want to let them down. Alternatively, you can study with a friend! Tumblr/Instagram is basically my partner!
• use the two-minute rule - if something takes less than two minutes, do it. Don’t make an excuse, just do it. Tasks that are longer you can either delegate or defer. Here is a simple visualisation of what I mean.
• record your progress - doing a simple “don’t break the chain” in your planner is a great way to see how productive you’re being and therefore get you more motivated to keep it up! The ‘100 days of productivity’ challenge might be worth doing!

• ask for help - if you’re feeling like this, it is likely you need some help in some form or another. See if a family member, friend, classmate or teacher (or Google) can help or give you a starting point. Emailing your teacher is a great option if you’re a little nervous about speaking to them in person. Plus you won’t forget what they told you because you’ll have a response.
• remind yourself that getting started is the first step - you don’t need to finish a task in a matter of minutes. Start doing something small. Maybe organise what you need, highlight the important bits of your assessment, or draft an essay plan. The secret to getting ahead is getting started!
• divide and conquer - figure out what is the overall task that you need to do and split it into manageable parts. For instance, with an essay, the aim is to write it! Divide it into planning out what you want to write, any references you need, summarising a final draft and then writing each paragraph. By dividing bigger tasks into actionable parts you can reduce the obstacles and get through each part in a more timely manner.
• reward yourself - create a system to celebrate completing a selection of tasks. By rewarding your progress you’ll build an incentive to work and reinforce productivity (great for your self-discipline!).
• learn to forgive yourself - if you have an off day, that is okay! When the stress of your education is getting too much, it is necessary to have time out.  Remember to come back to it later and try again.
• don’t over schedule - if you’re feeling pressure from the amount of work and then the added pressure of trying to stick to a time limit, you’re just going to go crazy. Set yourself flexible times to get something done instead of being heavily structured. Give yourself time for a break and the ability to change tasks.
• stick with one task - it can be so tempting to multitask but try not to. Try to keep the focus on the what you’re doing until it is done. If you struggle with that, you could write down anything useful that you randomly think about for another task, use a break-time to think about that other task or alternate between subjects/tasks every few hours.

• focus on getting started, instead of finishing - it is easy to get overwhelmed thinking about what something is supposed to be like finished if you’re a perfectionist. Take things one step at a time. It’s also useful to remember the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to perfect it at the end!
• make drafts - if you’re overwhelmed, take half an hour to map out your plan of attack. Drafts can take many forms: summaries, scaffolds/outlines, essay plans, post-it notes, etc. I find it much easier to get on with work if I have a bit of a plan.
• remember that your perfectionist tendencies aren’t actually improving your work or productivity but hindering you - you’re continually setting yourself unrealistic objects and (like me) probably feel let down by yourself if you don’t reach them. Be realistic and focus on getting it done!
• accept mistakes - you’ve written something wrong, don’t panic! Cross it out with a single line and move on. Things happen and you have to accept it. You can’t rip up the page every time you do something wrong, even if it is so tempting.
• put things in perspective - is what you’re beating yourself up about right now going to mean anything in a week, a month, a year? Be honest if it isn’t, is it really worth putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
• praise yourself through the process - try not to criticise yourself but recognise your progress.
• don’t compare yourself - this is very hard not to do but remember we are all different. Just because “you’re not as good” or don’t understand something as easily as others, it doesn’t mean you’re any less! Everyone was a beginner once and we all learn at different paces. Work to your strengths!

• remember that putting it off isn’t going to make it go away - if you leave it too long you’ll end up getting more stressed about it. Best to get it over with.
• make a plan from the get-go - once you know something is coming up (e.g. a test, an assessment, etc) make notes on it! That could be questions, annotations, potential topics, citations, etc. By making the effort to spend time reading through, you’ll save your future self some stress. Especially if it’s a topic you have forgotten. That way your notes act as a reminder so you can get started.
• set a finish time with a reward - tell yourself that if you finish something by a certain time and then you can do something else. Use your self-discipline to not go back on this. Set a realistic time and try to get it complete before. If you can think that you’re doing something fun once it is completed, you’ll be more motivated to get it done.
• make a structure - for note-taking, it can be overwhelming looking at a textbook and thinking what you’re going to write out. Make a note-taking layout/colour code that works for you and that subject. Mine is here - it just gives me an idea of how I’d lay everything instead of going in with no action plan.
• try to make it fun - this could be using YouTube to learn or starting a study group. Use different methods for memorising information such as flashcards, mindmaps or study guides (like question/answer).
• make the effort to refocus - if you’re finding something boring and you’re unfocused, walk away for 5 minutes, get a drink and come back. If you’re really struggling, change topics for a while. Find a point where you can finish and start doing something else that is productive.
• listen to some music - generally, music without lyrics are best for focusing. Spotify has a great playlist for studying called ‘focus’. However, I find my regular music good for getting me a little more motivated and awake. I also like writing essays to music because I weirdly sort of type in the same rhythm. Funny study hack I’ve found that works for me haha!
• write your thoughts down - Another thing I’ve been trying is externalising my thoughts. If I get distracted by something or have a “gosh, I need to remember that” moment, I will write it down. By getting it out my brain and onto a bit of paper, I no longer have to think about it and can continue. 

• have a mass organise - usually when I’m feeling unmotivated, I’ll clear out my desk and sort out my computer. This involves throwing out stationery that doesn’t work or scrap paper. I usually make piles of spare stationery and will re-organise my desk drawers. For my computer, I will pull out all my files to my desktop then start working through them. I’ll delete duplicates, rename files properly, and put them in the right place.
• find some new stationery - weirdly buying stationery is one of those things that instantly makes you want to be productive. Head to the shops and spend a little something on a new pen, highlighter or notebook!
• film yourself - studying generally doesn’t give us any instant gratification which can make it feel like a drag. By filming yourself working you can get a little video at the end which shows your progress. I love watching time-lapses of myself because you see all the work you did super quickly. It also means I’m not touching my phone!
• set yourself some goals - write down a few things you want to achieve, in the short or long term. Put it somewhere that you’ll be reminded about it! By externalising your goals, you’re more likely to make the effort to achieve it.
• check/make a studygram and studyblr - this is one of most motivating this I’ve done. Having social media dedicated to studying has helped not only improve my work ethic but my whole attitude towards education. Getting involved in the community is a great motivator. Here is a post on how to set up a studyblr.

• five minute strategy. this is something that has really worked out for me: when i can’t bring myself to start, i force myself to do something just for five minutes. then once i’m in, i go on a roll of 20-minute periods of studying, rewarding myself every time i am successful in accomplishing that 20-minute period. the rewards i’ve given myself range from tea/coffee, small 5 minute breaks, to hanging out with my friends or buying things i’ve always wanted to buy.
• be curious. don’t get me wrong: not every subject is equally appealing and sometimes i do struggle with boredom. but since i enjoy quite a lot the process of studying and learning more about medicine, during the first month of the semester i force ahem, give myself every day about 5-8h to be curious on the subjects i’m studying. so if, say, i’m studying cardiology and i want to learn more about valvular problems, i’ll read from textbooks and borrowed notes even if it’s not something our professors have talked/might be talking soon about, because it’s something i want to know more about today.
• go study somewhere that is relaxing to you: yes, even if it’s an hour-long drive from where you live. Always better to lose an hour or two than an entire day or week.
• make it fun: …and now as last resort (or maybe not) try to blend in at least one of your hobbies into your way of studying. if you’re into drawing, include sketches or doodles in your study notes to help you remember facts, lists, etc. coming up with crazy games, small challenges or milestones can also help. be inventive! think of a way to make it fun so you can actually bring yourself to start.

• now i know this is not our ideal goal, but sometimes it’s always better to face that exam having learnt a 50% of the subject instead of just a 2% because you thought it was too late to make a difference, or decided that you were done trying to find ways to make your studying more enjoyable/fun, because you felt that by doing that, you weren’t being productive enough. (And i’ve seen that happen a LOT.)

• You know WHAT, I am going to do this thing right about NOW  [accompany this with slamming your palms on a desk for extra emphasis and determination]
• In the grand scheme of the universe, such a superficial detail as this one is not significant enough to dissuade me from the path I have established for my own future [the fancier words you use the better]
• This situation calls for urgent action, we will need to construct a highly exhaustive plan to keep the enemy at bay (a plan involving these English essays and this physics laboratory report) [put your elbows on the desk and the tips of your fingers together you know the pose]
• In this fast-paced capitalist society where time is money, I, an aspiring successful businessperson, do not have the time OR the money for lounging about [pretend you’re wearing a suit. wear an actual suit if you can]

The same way you eat an elephant: a little bit at a time.

I made some motivational posters for my planner from a quote that I saw on here some time ago! | icon credit: flaticon

• i will start with a week (you can go longer or shorter)
• you should try to be the best rory you can be
• here is what i think is important to do/be:
• always be nice
• read everyday
• study everyday
• clean up every other day (like sweeping the floors ect.)
• try to learn something new
• practise your handwriting
• look up your dream college 
• read through class descriptions
• watch some movies/videos about your interest (i really love jane and jady’s video’s since they’re in med school)
• watch/read the news everyday!!
• plan out everything
• start buying back to school stuff
• take a walk every day
• drink some coffee (or tea, as you like)
• make yourself a motivational wall
• drink!!! enough!!! water!!!
• stick to your morning and night routine!
• always help out if you can
• do your work as soon as you get it
• do little self-care things every day 
• smile!
• take a break

• our bodies are programmed to rise with the sun and thus this is an ideal waking up time 
• besides, waking up earlier means that you have more time in the day to do the things that you want
• try not to linger too much and just turn off your alarm and jump straight out of your bed
• do try to make your bed as as the saying goes : messy bed, messy head

• try to have a morning routine as having a routine at the start of the day will help set the tone for the rest of your day 
• if you want an extra jolt of energy, try showering with cooler water
• also try to go out for a run or walk ( just try to be active right in the morning )

• don’t skip breakfast !! it is the most important meal of the day and it gives you the boost of energy that you need to jump-start your day
• try to opt for healthier and more nutritious options such as oats or cereal

• get into the habit of doing productive things in the morning this is as our bodies are at it’s peak performance and concentration 
• during this time, i like to do the heavier tasks such as writing essays 
• it is important to take short but frequent breaks !! ( try the pomodoro method )

• try consuming healthier food as it has been proven that our bodies are naturally inclined to be tired after lunch time thus try to avoid sweet or starchy food as they would make you even more lethargic
• take this time to relax, maybe call up a friend to have lunch and do some catching up

• as inspired by this post, re-evaluate your day at 2 pm
• use this time to go through what you need to accomplish, what have you done and what you need to do

• as previously established, our bodies tend to be more sluggish after lunch, so i like to schedule my less taxing tasks here
• take this time to go through your emails and start with your digital work ( i.e writing blog posts / coding / designing with photoshop etc )
• i use cold turkey so that i can be the most productive and wouldn’t waste this time on instagram or tumblr

• a nap in the middle of the day has been shown to be beneficial to our bodies
• however, the length of it is very important. keep it to 20 - 30 mins as this will allow for energy boost while preventing the feeling of grogginess when you wake up

• it is nearing the end of the day so it’s time to wrap up any unfinished tasks

• try to eat a smaller portion of food as it’s the end of the day, your metabolism rate will slow down and you wouldn’t want to go to bed feeling bloated right? 

• after a long day of work, it is important to wash up and freshen up 
• if there’s time, do take the time to pamper yourself a little ( maybe do a hair mask or face mask or both!! )

• take this time to completely relax
• watch your favourite shows or youtubers 

• it has been shown that the blue light emitted from our screens can prevent the production of melatonin, which is a hormone that is responsible for making us feel sleepy
• thus an hour before bed time, try avoiding any digital devices
• instead, spend the time planning your outfits for the next day, packing your bag, meal prep or even just reading a book

• to ensure that you have an adequate amount of sleep, try to go to sleep lastest by 11pm 
• you can use a sleep tracker to tracker your sleep 
• personally, i use the sleep cycle app which not only tracks my sleep but also has an alarm that wakes me up when i’m in my lightest phase of sleep

sleep : 8.5 hrs 

doing work : 7 hrs 15 mins ( 2 hrs of digital work + 5 hrs 15 mins of work )

resting : 1.5 hrs

get ready / freshening up : 2 hrs ( 1 hr 15 mins in the morning + 45 mins at night ) 

eating : 3.5 hrs ( 45 mins breakfast + 1.5 hr lunch + 1 hr 15 mins dinner )

other : 1 hr 15 mins ( 1 hr no digital time + 15 mins re-evaluating your day )

MBTI stands for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which is basically a personality test that classifies you into one of 16 different personality categories based on a four-letter code. This is what the “INFP” or “ESFJ” codes mean if you’ve been seeing them around in the community. The test assesses you on four of your main traits:

• How do you prefer to direct your energy? (I vs E)
• What kind of information do you prefer to gather? (S vs N)
• What criteria do you prefer for making decisions? (T vs F)
• What kind of environment do you prefer? (J vs P)

You can take a free online quiz here!

You can read more about Cognitive Function Theory here! I will be basing my post off this theory because I think it’s a more comprehensive method of understanding MBTI.