By Meg Srabon
As finals week quickly approaches and almost every waking hour is spent on working on essays, presentations, or assignments from weeks before, it could be easy to get lost in the chaos and struggle with time management. I know that I’ve struggled to prioritize my work above other activities such as maintaining a part-time job and also having fun with friends.
Not to mention, that even a single notification on my phone distracts me from finishing a task I’ve procrastinated to do.
But I picked up a few methods that have eliminated wasting my time on social media and allowed me to truly put in my best effort into schoolwork which I wanted to share, especially for the last few weeks of the semester.
1) Pomodoro Technique
You may already use this method but have no idea what the name of it is. I’ve tried this after a friend suggested it to me and it has been so beneficial for me personally. At first, I was skeptical and I didn’t think I could get over my procrastination but I was quickly proven wrong. Take your phone and set a timer for 25 minutes. During this time, turn your phone upside down to avoid distractions and get as much work done as possible. I realized that when I timed myself, I felt the pressure to utilize my time more efficiently because it was such a small time span. After the timer goes off, take a break for about 5 minutes and then repeat.
2) A Change in Setting
I felt like I was stuck in the building; always in my room, the reading room, or a study room. I felt constrained and I needed variety. A change of setting does wonders. I walked to a park, the cafe at the National Portrait Gallery, or a nearby coffee shop and I was amazed by how much I accomplished. Just walking around the city to clear your head after a long study session helps relieve tension and refreshes your mind to continue working later on.
I hope this advice helped you just as much as it did for me. Best of luck on all of your finals!
Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of NYU DC Violets or the NYU DC Program, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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