lifestyle How to stay productive during the strikes

Emilie Pierce shares her tips on how to make the most of time outside of lectures

EIGHTEEN days of teacher strikes is frustrating for many students, and it can be significantly challenging to remain motivated to work when lectures are cancelled, especially when a class is cancelled on your arrival at 8:30am. In order to help you with managing this period of uncertainty, when your usual timetable has no doubt been disrupted, here are several tips regarding how to stay productive.

First and foremost, it is important to decide your preferred working environment. If your class is cancelled you may choose to stay and work somewhere on campus, such as in the library or perhaps a café if you enjoy some background noise. However, if you opt to work from home during the strikes, creating a space where you can focus is crucial. It is unlikely that you will be hugely productive if your idea of working from home consists of laying in bed with your laptop.

Aim to organise your day by setting out clear objectives. Creating a paper list or using an online application, such as Google Calendar, will allow you to visualise your daily tasks and tick them off as they are completed. When beginning your to do list, figure out which time of the day you naturally feel more focused and plan to do your most challenging task then. Procrasti- nating the difficult tasks is often tempting, but can quickly lead to many piling up. In this situation, setting small goals and focusing on one thing at a time should stop you from feeling overwhelmed. However, remember to be realistic when setting out objectives and to try not to compare yourself with others. This especially relates to people on social media at this time of year, when New Year's resolutions involving extreme discipline seem intrinsic to a high level of productivity. Of course, a level of discipline is always necessary when it comes to studying; however, you should not be so tough on yourself that you do not take breaks. Be sure to take time away from your desk and computer so that you feel relaxed and recuperated upon your return. Generally, you should set an approximate time boundary regarding how long you remain in your chosen working environment. Without allowing yourself time to rest each day, you may find that you burn out rapidly. Finally, staying connected with friends during the strikes is invaluable. It can be easy to feel alone when studying from home for an extended period of time. Doing something social can be used as a way of rewarding yourself for completing daily tasks, or the two can