Productivity Hacks for All Students
By Library Student Partner, Sophie Morris
Maintaining productivity is easier said than done. We all have our productive and unproductive days. But how do we survive University with all of it’s deadlines when we’re just not in the right mood to get anything done? Here are some of Sophie’s hacks to help weather the unproductive days.
Be kind to yourself
First and foremost, be kind to yourself. We are all experiencing different things in different bodies so don’t compare yourself to others and remember we all have good and bad days. University is all about work life balance, and even though it can be difficult to find it, try to give yourself the grace to spend time to enjoy aspects of university life outside of academia.
" …do work that requires less brain power…"
If you find yourself consistently burdened by workloads and/or finding motivation to work, please contact personal tutors and/or wellbeing services as they can offer support, and help reduce the work burden.
Get organised
Listing tasks for the week or figuring out which deadlines and tasks are to be prioritised on which days can help with feeling overwhelmed; helping you to stay productive and stress-free.
Have planned regular study hours
Having a set routine for study can help with productivity. For example, I feel most productive between 10-12am and 5-7pm, so I try to get up and work between those hours most weekdays, creating productivity by making study a habit.
Having set routines before and after work also helps. For example, breakfast before study and having a cup of tea with my morning study session and then some popcorn for a post-study treat has helped my productivity.
"...try different lengths of break..."
I find also booking out accessible study rooms helps me stick to routines as knowing my booking cancels after half an hour of not showing up, gives me a deadline for getting somewhere to study that acts as motivation. If you’re not able to use these rooms, another great option is planning to study with friends as you then have the pressure of letting someone down if you don’t turn up.
Set work goals in hours not tasks
This hack may or may not work for you, but for me it has been a game changer. Whether you want to use pomodoro to help with this or prefer to study with longer breaks, I find that aiming for a certain number of hours of study or something to help my degree a day, helps me with motivation. The focus on just an hour of work takes the pressure off specific tasks and helps me to just study, where I would have procrastinated after being overwhelmed.
On days where you feel less motivated, do work that requires less brain power like updating your calendar and sorting your computer files, to make sure you are organised and still productive even if it isn’t writing essays or pre-reading
Try to study in different places
Having places to work outside of the bedroom desk can help with productivity as you are often less tempted to cease work and doom scroll. The Library, the FAB and the Learning Grids are all popular places to work on campus.
Take your work on a coffee date
Every now and then consider taking your work to a coffee shop, as the powers of a good slice of cake and a hot chocolate can do wonders for productivity and act as a much-needed break from the mundanity of a desk.
Don't be afraid to switch up the Pomodoro
The classic pomodoro technique swears by 25 minutes of work with a 5-minute break, however, this is not a one size fits all approach. I personally find that 20 minutes of work to 10 minutes of break is ideal for keeping focus on particularly mentally taxing acts, like revision. Whereas, for tasks like reading I normally do 40 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Do not be afraid to try different lengths of break to help with productivity.
"...enjoy aspects of university life outside of academia..."
Eat a frog
I can promise that eating a frog is not just a French pastime. The phrase ‘Eat a Frog’ refers to doing the task you want to do the least first and saving the best for last. This simple hack can do wonders for productivity as getting the worst over with when you are the most motivated and productive can help with later procrastination.
Library productivity tools
The Library has many productivity tools available listed on the website. From managing notes to anxiety there is a plethora of tools available at the click of a button!
Try group study
Group study can easily fall into the pitfall of becoming a talking session. However, with the right people and mindset it can work miracles as it applies light pressure to not get distracted. My top tip: recruit your most sensible and motivated friend and sit on the 4th and 5th floor of the Library to avoid any and all temptations to talk. In addition, if no friends are free, there are study livestreams and ‘study with me’ videos on Youtube to help with focus and productivity.
Hopefully, you find these hacks useful. Whilst these tips are here to help, remember that sometimes being kind to yourself and giving yourself some time away from studying is just as important as any hack, especially in improving productivity. Best of luck with your studies!
Have you seen these other Studying tips and tricks?
Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing Uni Social Life and Studies Without Losing Your Mind
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
University is often described as “the best time of your life”, and while that can mean exciting lectures, career opportunities, and academic discovery, let’s be honest… it also means late-night chats, spontaneous day trips, society events, and yes, dancing to questionable playlists at the SU. But how do you enjoy the social side of university without your studies quietly slipping into a state of chaos? Shuangting shares how she manages!
Top Tips for Finding Students to Study With at University
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Studying at university can sometimes feel like a solo mission—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re preparing for exams, tackling a dissertation, or just trying to stay motivated, having study partners can make a huge difference. Here are some top tips from Juanmo for finding (and keeping!) the right people to study with.
How to Keep a Good Work/Life Balance at University
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
Many students say that when they try to prioritize their life and wellbeing, it feels like work is being sacrificed, and vice-versa. This is the challenge of a work/life balance: it is a seesaw that you continuously have to adjust. This continuous adjustment is key to its maintenance, however. It is challenging to reach a good balance without checking in with yourself and seeing what is and isn’t working. Here are some of Laura’s tips on making sure you have time for both leisure and study at university.
Study Tips for Neurodivergent Students
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
Studying can be a daunting task for all students, but those of us who are neurodivergent or have Specific Learning Differences often face more barriers to studying both independently and in the Library. Here is a list of tips from Laura to make studying adaptable and a little less overwhelming. The decision tree can be used as a starting point for studying in the Library, as it offers a visual guide to our different study spaces tailored towards neurodiverse students.
How to Handle the Transition of International Study to University Study
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
Moving to a new country to study is not just about switching classrooms; it’s about switching entire systems of thinking, speaking, learning, and sometimes, even eating dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Fortunately, you’re not alone and Shuangting is here to share their tips on how to handle the transition.
Productivity Hacks for All Students
By Library Student Partner, Sophie Morris
Maintaining productivity is easier said than done. We all have our productive and unproductive days. But how do we survive University with all of it’s deadlines when we’re just not in the right mood to get anything done? Here are some of Sophie’s hacks to help weather the unproductive days.
Balancing Book and Bookings: Tips for Working Part-Time While Studying Full Time
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either thinking about taking on a part-time job during university or you’ve already jumped in and are now juggling timetables and timesheets. First of all – go you. Managing both is no small feat, and from one student to another, I can tell you: it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset, a bit of planning, and a good sense of humour. Shuangting is here to share her tips on how to manage it all.
Keeping Momentum as a PG in the Summer Vacation Period
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Let’s face it - summer is strange as a postgrad. The undergrads have packed up and left, campus events have slowed down, and the pace around you might feel more like a Sunday afternoon than a working week. But for postgraduates, it’s not a break. Whether you’re a PGT wrestling with your dissertation or a PGR continuing your research (unless you’re on well-earned annual leave!), the work doesn’t stop - though the structure might. Here’s Juanmo Xu’s tips for keeping up the momentum in the summer.
Tips for Studying in the Heat
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Summer at Warwick can surprise you. One week it’s pouring. The next, you’re melting over your laptop, trying to revise or write while your brain slowly turns to soup. Whether you’re based on campus or studying back home, here are some tips Juanmo has found helpful for actually getting work done in hot weather—without wilting in the process.
24-Hour Library: How Not To Leave Things to the Last Minute
By a previous Warwick student
The Library is 24/7 but you don’t need to be. Sometimes it’s inevitable that we end up leaving things to the last minute, but it’s better if that doesn’t happen all the time. So here’s one students’ best advice on how to avoid too many all-nighters and beat the procrastination bug!
Feedback: Not Only For the Past but Also For the Future
By previous Warwick student, Amber Zhang
A grade is just a number, and feedback is something we can use for improvement. The usefulness of feedback goes far beyond the marker’s evaluation of that essay; it is a learning opportunity that allows for continuous improvement, self-discovery, and the development of good habits. Using feedback effectively is a vital component of any degree programme, and Amber shares some tips and experiences on how she used it.
Top 4 Tips on How to Manage Your Studies When You're Ill
By previous Warwick student, Kayvon Taee.
Being sick is the absolute worst! From an annoying runny nose to a fever or even fatigue, it can be incredibly difficult to find the motivation to study! It can even be frustrating as there could be a list of things that need to be done and yet finding the energy for them can be like finding a needle in a haystack! But fear not, for this guide has your back to help you to be mildly productive while you recover! This guide is aimed at those studying any academic subject regardless of level…