1. Create a study routine
You already know that I will open with this point. Creating a routine helps with staying consistent to your study goals. It helps you to create accountable, and measurable goals. Random study times happen, but the true hack is knowing when and where you need to be when you are studying.
2. Set realistic deadlines
It is important to set realistic deadlines. This can help to manage stress and anxiety that sometimes accompany academic pursuits. Journaling is very useful for setting deadlines. Plan your day/week/month/year ahead, with smaller goals that counts towards the bigger goals. For example, I have a 5,000 words grant application deadline, I will make plans in bits to help me manage the time and resources I have to produce the best application I can at the time.
I generally plan ahead to avoid bomb writing, but I know that bomb writing is actually inevitable at certain times. Also, for people in the academic environment, you rarely ever have only one task to complete at a time. So, for me, a realistic deadline means that I am pacing myself, and working on multiple things in a day. I create daily tasks that contribute towards the achievement of my long/short term goals.
Creating realistic goals also helps to boost morale, and keep you in high spirits as you trudge along the styling path. Checking off a to-do list at the end of the day does feel good. However, if you always put too much than you can handle on your daily lists, that could trigger a feeling of inadequacy and discouragement.
3. Pace yourself. i.e. time management
Time management is key to increased productivity. There are only 24 hours in a day, and 7 days a week after all. PS: Time is a social construct!
Have you read/heard of "Pomodoro"? I first heard the word in my fist year PhD Writing class taught by Prof. Blum. Pomodoro is a time management system that many have sworn by. Ideally, you work on a specific task for 25 minutes, and take a 5-minute repeatedly. You could add your personal tweak to this for increased productivity. Perhaps, work for longer, and with your choice of timed break in between. Here is a Pomodoro tool that might be helpful.
4. Maximize space usage
For people who thrive in stability, have a go to study area or zone, and for others who go with the flow, you can get into rhythm by changing spaces. The library (depending on the size) might offer study room options, furniture choices, facilities, etc. Try to know as much as possible about your library so that you can maximize the resources available to you.
5. Buddy up
Partnership truly is quite productive with regards to studying or using the library. For some, studying with a partner is the way to go. For others, partnership is strictly for accountability purpose, as studying with another individual might be distracting. Know what works best for you, and make it work.
6. Make plans for drinks, snacks and food
You should make plans for stomach entertainment based on the number of hours you plan to spend in the library. Going back and forth to source edibles could either be a true waste of time, or a way to take regular breaks, and pace yourself to work. Since the goal is to optimize the time spent studying, food and drinks should be added to the plan.
Get a sizable water bottle that allows you to stay hydrated as you study hard. Coffee might be a core part of your routine too. You could buy your coffee from your favorite coffee shop, or just bring along your own hot mug of coffee. Either way, you have the coffee supplies you need. You could pack snack and lunch from home too to save money. It is no secret that most students have access to a very slim funds base, so, packing food for study time really goes a long way with budgeting.
Make plans around the library rules to optimize your study plans. Find out the library's rule about eating and drinking. Some libraries do not allow drinks and snack. Other libraries might be more liberal, permitting foods and drinks in certain areas of the building. Some libraries that have a no-eating rule would generally provide carrels or storage rooms for library users to stash their belongings during their visits. The best plan is to not have to go a long distance to source food and/or drinks. Planning your meal times also help to monitor eating frequency and quantity, if that is important to you.
7. Use the library's website
In my experience (I have used quite a number of libraries in my lifetime), A library's website where/when available is gold! You can find important information about the library from the website including library opening hours (important for planning a visit), booking study room, accessing available resources, browsing book collections, and locations, etc. Your library's website is as important as a librarian, but THE librarian is KING!
8. Rest!
Rest is underrated. Plan to rest in between study time, and all that life puts on your plate. The feeling of being refreshed aids productivity a lot more than exhaustion would. Plan your rest so that your resting time is optimized.
What else should be added to this list?
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