With the weather being so cold here in State College, students are pretty much trapped in their warm apartments or dorms unless they feel like trekking all the way to the library or their favorite study spot downtown. While some students prefer to do work in the comfort of their home, others easily get distracted by roommates, a messy room or the TV sitting two inches away. Figuring out how to study at home can be tricky, but that doesn’t mean it has to be! VALLEY has some tips and tricks to help you be more productive in your pjs.
Get organized
Trying to be productive and get work done in a messy environment is just a recipe for disaster. Before a study session, take the time to clean up your area. If you’re studying at your desk in your room, make sure the entire room is clean! Something as simple as making your bed and picking up your clothes can immediately make you feel productive and motivated to work, instead of having the urge to crawl back in bed and watch Netflix.
Headphones In. World Out.
Tune out any sounds that might distract you. Just because you’re not at your favorite coffee shop downtown doesn’t mean it can’t sound like it! Spotify has so many different playlists with songs that let you work while feeling like you’re sipping your favorite drink. You’ll get to hear relaxing music instead of the construction going on outside your window. If you’re not a fan of music, you can even look up “ambient” noise online to make it sound like you really are in a cute café.
Aromatherapy
If you don’t own one already, purchase an essential oil diffuser. Depending on which scent you decide to use, the entire room can be completely transformed. Use scents like lemon and peppermint for a boost of energy and for help with concentrating on your work. If you’re feeling stressed, try smelling some calming lavender. Make your work environment comfortable, and you’re more likely to get things done!
Set limits on technology
It can be hard to stay productive when your phone is getting notifications and text messages every five minutes. Two easy ways to get away from technology are to either turn your phone off, or leave it in another room. If you’re on your computer, try using “Strict Workflow,”which allows you to block certain sites (such as YouTube or Netflix) for a certain amount of time.
Why not do two things at once?
Take advantage of being at home by doing some laundry! Pop in a load of dirty clothes in the washer and use the time it takes to finish a load to do your work. You’ll feel extra productive once you have completed both an assignment and your laundry at the same time.
Don’t be afraid to take a break
Studies have shown that it’s actually very beneficial to take a break from working in order to help your brain stay alert. Once you feel like your head is starting to spin from staring at your computer, take a break by grabbing a quick bite to eat, taking a walk or calling up a friend or family member from home. Afterwards, you’ll feel much more refreshed and ready to work again.
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