With the majority of students studying from home, and lectures moving online, your studies and coursework will look very different this year. Many of our residents have told us that while there are lots of benefits to studying in Point Campus, concentration and productivity levels can really fluctuate when not in a college or campus setting.

Our latest blog will explore some of the ways in which you can improve your productivity this semester. Give it a read and watch those grades rise!

Setting

Most students have a favourite spot in the library, or a quiet corner of campus. Finding a quiet workspace you can call your own is really important when it comes to being productive. With restrictions and social distancing in place, this is harder to do these days but it’s something we highly recommend.

Find your own space, whether it’s a kitchen table, a reading nook or one of the many quiet areas in Point Campus and make it your own. Having a familiar setting you associate with great work and study is key for being productive.

Routine

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” You can build excellence, and you can build productivity. Building a routine takes a lot of trial and error but once you find a schedule that works for you, you will notice the quality of your study steadily rise. Having a routine time schedule you can stick to and a familiar workspace you can always access are the two main components of a solid routine we’d recommend you locking down first.

Deep Work

The concept of ‘deep work’ has taken the world by storm and first gained popularity through Cal Newport’s book with the same name. The idea is simple, but surprisingly hard to achieve. ‘’Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.’’ Deep work occurs when you can turn off your phone, ignore your roommates and concentrate on a single topic for an extended period of time. Ask yourself, when was the last time you actually managed to do this?

Everyone has the ability for this type of deep work. Some may be able to concentrate for 40 minutes at a time, while others can knock out a marathon 4 hour session before checking the latest Instagram Stories. You will be shocked at the amount of work you can get done when your attention is focused on one subject. Check out this fantastic YouTube video discussing deep work for more insight.

Pomodoro Technique

This time management technique is a nice introduction into the world of deep work and a great tool for increasing productivity . It breaks your work and studies into time blocks that allow you to concentrate without distraction. The technique is simple...

• Choose a task you need to work on.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes and begin your work.
• When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break.
• Repeat this process 3-4 times, after which you can take a longer break of 25-30 minutes.

Try to avoid looking at the timer while working and be sure to get up and walk around during your breaks, don’t end up sitting at your workstation for hours on end!

Bullet Journal

The Bullet Journal Method is another recent phenomenon, and another great addition to your productivity arsenal. This system allows you to transform any old notebook into a productivity goldmine. Its aim is to help you keep track of every type of task you might have and what we love about it is that it’s customisable for every student’s needs. With whole subreddits and YouTube channels dedicated to the concept, you’ll soon learn that there is no limit to what you can do with your own Bullet Journal. Give it a shot and see how you get on!

With Wi-Fi and a study area available in all of our rooms, along with the multitude of quiet areas and communal work spaces downstairs, Point Campus has all the facilities a student can need to become their most productive self! Are you looking for accommodation for next semester? Visit our website to learn more and get in touch!