4 Easy Productivity Hacks For Studying at Home

Picture this: It’s SWOT week. You’re trying to cram for an upcoming exam, but your head goes: ‘Ugh, this is boring’. You pull up Instagram and start scrolling, flop on your bed, and before you know it — hours have passed with little progress on your exam revisions. Crap.

Sound familiar? Studying at home in your student apartment can be conducive, but staying focused and avoiding distractions can sometimes feel impossible. As much as you might love studying amidst the energetic buzz of cafes or the peaceful vibes of university and state libraries in Australia, studying at home is still the safest (and sometimes only) option during the pandemic. Here are a few productivity tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your home study sessions!

1. Procrastination? Not today

Procrastination might just be the #1 enemy to productive study. After all, social media, Netflix, and TikTok are always just a click or tap away and seem way more appealing than reading your notes. One way to combat this is to make use of website blockers like StayFocused or Cold Turkey. These applications or browser extensions block access to a list of websites for specified time periods — keeping you away from unwanted distractions.

Top studying tip: You could also try the Pomodoro technique, a time management method that helps break up study time into shorter durations with breaks in between.

2. No Bed. Seriously.

Your bed can be a tempting place to study. The soft pillows, the comfy doona, who can resist? But really, using the bed as your study spot in your student apartment isn’t the optimal choice. Not only are you more likely to feel sleepy and doze off, but slouching against your headboard also isn’t great for your posture.

Avoid studying on your bed as much as possible. Choose a dedicated study space — in the case of university accommodation, this will probably be your study desk. At Y Suites, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to study or work on take-home exams. If you’re feeling too cooped up in your room, simply head to any of the communal study spaces within our facility. For instance, Y Suites on Waymouth in Adelaide features an outdoor study courtyard, indoor study hub, four study/meeting rooms, and more!

3. Stick to a Schedule

Schedules and routines are more effective in keeping you on track than you might think. A sense of structure does wonders for helping you stay organised and maintain a productive rhythm. Consider creating a schedule with allocated time for studies, meals, and breaks. It can be as simple as a to-do list app on your laptop or a handwritten checklist of tasks on your notebook. Be sure to set aside time to rest your eyes and relax — grab a snack, make yourself a cup of coffee or go on a short walk to get some fresh air.

4. Get Up & Get Moving

Sitting at your desk for hours on end can cause you to feel lethargic, not to mention achy. Exercise gives your body a burst of endorphins and serotonin, making you focused and alert enough to hit the books. So get up off that chair, have a good stretch and get your body moving! Go for a quick jog, follow a YouTube workout video, or even just vacuum your room.

Y Suites is home to tons of exercise facilities, so you can break a sweat without leaving your apartment building. Check out our in-house gym, basketball ring, and table tennis tables — all free for student residents to use!

With these productivity tips in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to acing your university exams. Keen to know more about our awesome student apartments in Australia? Visit our website or reach out to us today to get started!