By: Mehak Dueja, SDSU Chapter Member
I don’t know about other people, but I have been missing the campus library and aesthetic San Diego cafes. I didn’t realize how much I depended on all of these mundane places to ensure my productivity. So this quarantine has definitely been a struggle for me. Additionally, fall semester/quarter will be online so I realized I need to come up with new ways to help myself be more efficient. Here are some things that really worked for me:
Wake up and sleep at the same time
Personally, I am most productive in the mornings. I know I sound crazy, but I started waking up at 5 am and sleeping by 10 pm and it has honestly helped me have a better routine. Also, it has allowed me to not only be productive, but also do a lot more things for myself
Find your study sanctuary and create an inspo wall
For me this was the hardest part because I cannot sit at the same place and be productive the whole time. I love moving around and having different settings. So, instead of an inspo wall, I decorated my laptop with pictures, quotes, and things that remind me why I can’t give up. I know it sounds cheesy, but it actually works :)
Keep a calendar or planner
I know it is quarantine and what is the point? I thought the same and that is why I gave up on it after quarantine, but then I really lost track of what day of the week it was. I started making a google calendar for myself since everything is virtual now and my laptop is my best friend, and it’s working great for me!
Take a lot of short breaks
Don’t try to grind out 10 hours of work a day, you will definitely get burnt out. Try to take breaks often to get a snack, go for a walk, workout, or get a drink. It’ll prevent burn out and result in an increase of productivity.
We live in a different world now, and I won’t say the adjustment will be easy, but eventually we all will find what works for us. These are just some things that really helped me get back my groove, but what matters is you are able to start somewhere. Be patient, these are rough times, so take care of yourself first. Hope this helps and you all are staying safe and healthy!