Tips for Being a Productive Human Being
Life is a distracting thing. We have so much going on all at once that it feels as though we are trapped in a little bubble of stress. Let's take this week as an example - as you may have noticed, I haven't been posting over the last few days. And why would that be, you may well ask? Let me tell you. I have a TON to do, including, but not limited to, AP Human Geography notes, English Responses, two books to read for Honors English, an Honors Biology essay, a journal of setting descriptions for Creative Writing, math tests to study for, online geometry classes to complete, short stories to critique, etc. Oh, and then are exams to sit and dinners to make and physical therapy to attend. In short, it's been an intense week. I would say that I'm looking forward to the weekend, but the weekend really just means even more homework. But what can you do? Life happens, and we've just got to roll with the punches. Even if those punches are coming really, really fast.
Do you know what makes chaotic weeks even worse? Excess stress. We all experience stress now and then; some nights you don't get quite enough sleep, or perhaps you accidentally procrastinated on that essay. But there are ways to make your life easier. School, work, and family shouldn't be elements of your life that cause your perpetual worry. I believe that life isn't meant to be led in an anxious climate. The purpose of our experiences on the Earth cannot possibly be to be miserable. Plus, stress sucks, plain and simple. It makes us feel physically sick and mentally drained. Those symptoms, in my mind, should be avoided at all costs.
Something that helps me to manage my stress levels is focusing on productivity. When you are on top of everything on your to-do list, that tight feeling in your chest lessens slightly. Productivity is especially wonderful because it looks different to every unique individual; my little sis is most productive if she spends a little bit of "me time" every hour, while I work best when (you guessed it!) there is a mug of green tea by my side. Of course, productivity is a bit more complex than simply enjoying a cup of tea while completing dimensional analysis problems. Here are some of my tips for becoming a more productive human being. Note that this list is tailored to overwhelmed high school students but likely applies to most stressful situations.
- Before starting your work, take 5-15 minutes of "me time." For me, "me time" looks like washing my face, changing into comfortable clothes, and eating a healthy snack, like a Kirkland Paleo Protein Bar or some sliced veggies. As I mentioned briefly, my sister loves her "me time," and spends most of it playing games on the computer. This quick period of tunning in with yourself helps to prepare you for an evening of intense note-taking. It is a mindful activity that certainly assists me in re-entering a productive mindset.
- Write in your agenda and prioritize your to-do's. In school (and probably in the workforce - I don't have any experience with full-time jobs yet), keeping up with your agenda isn't exactly optional. When I was in the fifth grade, my amazing teacher actually graded our planners, and our parents had to sign off that we had, in fact, completed our homework each night. In middle school, the kiddos who tried to "remember" every assignment they were given fell into an abyss of missing work. And in high school... whew. We're only seven weeks in, and I depend on my bullet journal like the very air I breathe. Make sure to jot down what is due in each class todos los dias. After completing your "me time" take a good look at your agenda, and begin to prioritize your work. By illustration, if your AP Human Geography notes are due tomorrow, those should be completed before the Cell Organelle Analogy that needs to be handed in by next Wednesday. I find that marking the most important items in my bullet journal with a highlighter or a little symbol helps me remember what I should prioritize.
- Unplug. Technology is so gosh darn tempting. We are always jumping to our phones to see what June had to say on our most recent Snapchat picture, or to text Jamie about the fall dance, or to watch a James Corden YouTube video. And yes, these things may be important to you (I know that James Corden's incredible sense of humor always brightens up my day), but they are NOT IN YOUR AGENDA. To be quite frank, if you scribbled "Check number of Twitter followers" in your planner, that would be a little extreme. Get the things you need to finish done first, and then you'll have plenty of the evening left for mindlessly scrolling through cat videos.
- Take little breaks. You will lose focus and any interest in your homework if you are scratching in the answers to one worksheet after the other without a pause. If you try to complete an essay in a single sitting, it'll probably be the dullest, most dysfunctional piece you've ever written. Don't let your hard work be undermined by exhaustion! A tea break is an excellent idea a couple of times a night, and I personally love to dance to my music every now and then. Tossing a tennis ball around for yourself to catch can also be fun, and gets your blood pumping. And don't even get me started on meditation - there is nothing better.
- Eat and drink. I will say this: never, ever, forget to fuel your body with healthy, wholesome foods while you are doing homework. I used to become so engrossed in my to-do's that eating dinner would completely slip my mind. This doesn't happen so much anymore, because I cook for my family - and if I forget to cook dinner, I am greeted with a hailstorm of hangry "MAYA, I'M HUNGRY!!!"s. Make sure that you are consuming foods that will nourish your body and mind. Also, don't inhale your food; you are having a stressful night, and the least you can do for yourself is sit down, relax, and be truly present with the textures and tastes of the meal on your plate. Water bottles are great study buddies, too.
- Go to bed at a reasonable time. Did you know that staying up late to cram for that Chemistry test might actually do more harm than good? According to the article ""Is That Extra Hour of Study Time Worth It?" "when students lost sleep because they spent extra time doing schoolwork, they had significantly more problems the next day than when they got their typical amount of sleep. This negative effect of extra study time was strongest for 12th-grade-students and weaker for the 9th-and-10th-grade students. What is going on here? Sleep is important for many reasons. It helps memory. You consolidate memories during sleep. Sleep also helps you focus and sustain attention. Sleep also gives you energy to be active. You are much more likely to be a passive learner when you are tired. And you learn less when you are passive than when you actively engage with new material." But I get it, everybody. Sometimes we have so much to do that all of a sudden it's nine o'clock... and then ten... and then (oh my gosh!) it's midnight and you're still working. Here is my tip: instead of staying up late to finalize your rough drafts, wake up earlier. It makes me feel much better when I go to sleep at a consistent time, as it provides a sort of rhythm for my body. Moreover, if you are waking up earlier to complete homework, you will be less likely to succumb to distractions; as you only have the time you allotted yourself to finish, there is no room for Pinterest in your schedule.
- Don't procrastinate. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Sure, that art project isn't due until next Tuesday. But that does not mean that you should start the piece next Monday night.
- Put yourself first. As hard as it can be to imagine sometimes, your teachers are actual human beings. And they aren't hired to torture you, or to keep you up late, or even to pile homework on your shoulders. Those elements aren't in their job description; instead, teachers are meant to be trusted adults that help you to further your knowledge and understanding of the world. They don't strive to confuse or trick you. With the exception of my old social studies teacher (hi, Mr. Schmitz!) they do not revel in your tears. It is vital that as a student, you maintain steady communication with your instructors. If you are experiencing severe anxiety or mental breakdowns, tell your professor. Together, you can work out a system to moderate your stress levels while ensuring that you are still working hard in the class. My wonderful math teacher, for instance, allows students extensions on their homework because life happens. All you need to do is send a quick email or stop by their desk after class - what's the worst that can happen? Remember that your wellbeing and health should reign above algebra problems, always.
- Finally, you must maintain a positive outlook. Pessimistic perspectives never get anyone anywhere - you are far better off believing in yourself and your capability to be spectacular than you are moaning and groaning.
There you are, my dear friends! I hope that this helps you to improve your quality of life during these taxing times. I wish you the best.
"I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them." - Oscar Wilde
Have a fantastic Thursday!
- Maya
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