Sometimes, you find yourselves overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork and requirements that have to be completed. Here are some tips to keep yourself motivated and productive throughout your IB journey!
1. Take things one step at a time
A lot of times, I feel overwhelmed whenever I see a really long to-do list, and this makes me feel unmotivated and stressed out. I try to overcome this by allowing myself to finish one thing at a time. Breaking bigger projects into smaller tasks makes them more manageable and less overwhelming. Take it easy on yourself, and take small baby steps. Before you even know it, you’ll already be done with your work!
2. Take breaks
Overworking yourself often only leads to less productivity and burnout. Taking breaks once in a while allows your brain to rest and recharge. Breaks can last between 5-15 minutes, but this can also be changed depending on your own situation. Make sure to be firm with yourself by sticking to the time allotted. Using your breaks wisely is also very important. I personally love watching my favorite student/motivational YouTubers like Sophie Concio, Alyanna Ross, Hannah Pangilinan, Nate Punzalan, and studyquill or jamming to my favorite music on Spotify. You can also try eating your favorite snacks, rehydrating, or listening to a podcast. Find things that help you relax and breathe, so that you’ll be fully prepared to tackle your next block of schoolwork.
3. Don’t be afraid to try what works best for you
Don’t be afraid to test out different ways to keep yourself motivated and productive. Every person is unique and different, so there is definitely no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to motivation and productivity techniques. There are a lot of different research-based productivity tricks that you can find online. It’s okay if it takes some time to figure out what works best for you. I’m also still trying to figure out and decide what’s best for me, so don’t worry too much because we’re all in this together. <3
Here are some great articles and videos on productivity/study techniques that you can check out:
- Spaced Repetition Techniques – Liam Porritt
- Pomodoro Technique – Med School Insiders
- Effective Studying – UC San Diego Department of Psychology
- Study Smart – American Psychological Association
- Productivity Science – Sparring Mind
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- Yasmin shares more tips on how to stop procrastinating.
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