There is nothing worse than having a garbage dump of assignments due in a few days while you are tired and demotivated. I've struggled with issues regarding motivation frequently during my time here at the University of Toronto, but I've learnt four key things along the way that has helped me increase my productivity. Since I've now found the flow academically and figured out how I work best, I might as well share them with you guys as I know many others may be struggling just as I was earlier in the academic year. Just because this works for me does NOT mean it will necessarily work for you, but feel free to try out any of these methods to your liking.
I Personally work best with the following:
Music
Good lighting
Tea
An isolated environment
Music
Music has played a major role in my studying for as long as I can remember. Now this doesn't mean all genres of songs are great for studying. What music I listen to will depend on the content I am working on.
For subjects that require more reading (such as reading an economics textbook or reading a scientific article) or assignments that require essay writing (the analysis of a graph in a math project), I tend to listen to music without lyrics. This includes lo-fi music or jazz songs without lyrics. This is so that I can focus on the words on the screen rather than my brain unconsciously acknowledging the lyrics being sung.
On the other hand, I will listen to music with higher energy and lyrics for work with repetitive tasks such as math problems that use the same concept over and over again with the only difference being the numbers. This includes genres such as pop or hip-hop as it gives me the energy to get through the repetitive questions and (for some reason) makes me focus better. Whichever music genre you decide to listen to is up to you. Some of my friends work in complete silence, and that's fine if you work better that way (although I think you guys are freaks).
Good Lighting
I feel like people don't give this one enough importance. Working in a bright environment helps me focus as well as being better for my eyes. Scientists have found working in dim lighting can cause straining of the eyes as well as headaches, which are somethings nobody would want. I put so much importance on lighting that you can always find me at the front of the line before entering the exam hall as I must choose a seat which optimal lighting.
By optimal lighting, I mean I must sit in a spot that has light facing in a direction that the shadow of my hand will not cover my writing on the piece of paper. I hate writing and not being able to see what is hiding within the shadow of my hand.
Tea
This is a bit of a unique one but hot tea has greatly helped me focus on my studying. Caffeine is not required to help me effectively study either. When I study, I typically drink chamomile tea, ginger peach tea, or earl grey tea (all of them hot of course). Earl grey tea has a higher percentage of caffeine so if you love that extra kick, then I would recommend that. It's strong enough to have kept me awake in bed for hours multiple times. Chamomile tea on the other hand has no caffeine and is actually good for inducing sleep. Although its meant to make you sleep faster, I am not affected by this but instead I feel calmer and more relaxed, as if part of my stress takes a day off. Anyways, something about a hot drink tends improve my focus over long durations, and has been key in allowing me to stay up for late-nighters.
An Isolated Environment
Although working with your friends may be beneficial in some cases, I personally work better by myself. By an "isolated environment", I mean a work space where there are few distractions within my peripheral vision. These distractions include friends talking, people walking around, and loud construction noises. Additionally, working by yourself allows you to work at your own pace as you can take breaks according to your own energy levels.
These four things have been crucial in me retaining my productivity levels during my first year of university. In some occasions, I may not be able to tick all of these four boxes off, but I've found that I will work relatively fine as long as I have access to music and good lighting. Good luck studying, and I hope I've been of help.
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