With the transition to working from home and continuing school through various online platforms, this can be a difficult time for many students. Finding the motivation to continue schoolwork and do homework from the comforts of our own homes is surprisingly challenging. Although you should practise self-care and take care of yourself by giving yourself time to relax and do your favourite activities, it is important that you don’t fall into a slump. Here are some ways that you can stay motivated to be productive at home!
1. Set a routine or schedule
In order to ensure that you are getting all of the tasks on your to-do list completed, it is important that you allocate your time and dedicate certain hours to complete your work. Making your schedule as similar to your normal school schedule is also helpful. For example, doing your physics work during the hour you would normally have physics class at school will help you get back into the routine of school.
Make sure your routine is realistic and give yourself time to relax between study sessions. Write down everything you need to complete and fill in what time you will be completing each task. Give yourself a little more time (10-15 more minutes) than you might need, to ensure flexibility. You can create a schedule that alternates daily or follow the same schedule every day; you can be flexible with how you create your schedule, but try your best to follow it! Don’t forget to make a monthly schedule to keep track of quizzes, tests and due dates.
2. Be prepared
To avoid procrastination or unwillingness to do any work, make sure you have an area designated for schoolwork. Stock up your work area with all of your school essentials: a computer/laptop to do online work, paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc… This will ensure that you won’t have to get up and look for anything while doing work. Don’t forget to avoid or put away any distractions, like your phone. You can physically put your phone away from you, in a different room or even across the room, or you can download an app like Forest or Flora which will stop you from going on your phone while working!
Make sure to have water nearby to stay hydrated! It is important to drink lots of water and it is easy to forget this while at home!
3. Connect with others
During these difficult times, it can be easy to feel isolated or alone at home. Social distancing is incredibly important so make sure you are staying home! However, you can connect with your friends and classmates online, through video calls or chats. Make sure you are connecting with others! Arrange to do schoolwork together with friends via video call or connect with your teacher and classmates through online lectures or chats.
Reach out to others to ensure no one feels isolated!
4. Dress for success!
Although it can be very tempting to lounge around in your pyjamas all day, getting up and changing into clothes you would normally wear out will help you feel motivated. You can still wear comfortable clothes, just make sure you are not wearing your PJs! You will feel less inclined to climb back into bed.
5. Set time for breaks
Allow yourself to take breaks in between the day, but also make sure you create a boundary between time to do schoolwork and time to relax. I personally find it much more rewarding to finish all of my work during the day, and allowing myself to take the evenings off to relax. This also ensures that I stay motivated to complete all of my tasks during my scheduled “work hours.”
Those were just some of the ways that I have been staying motivated to be productive at home! Please make sure you are taking care of your physical and mental health and I hope you are safe and healthy!
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