We know student life can be busy, and sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything that you’d like to do. That’s why it’s important to make the most of the time that you do have. Some students may spend every hour of the day working flat out, trying to cram in as much work and activities as possible – but this can actually be counter-productive.
When you’re busy and have lots to do, you need to be as efficient and productive as possible. So, to help improve your productivity, we’ve pulled together some top productivity hacks…
Being a student shouldn’t be all work and no play. It’s not all about attending lectures, reading about or researching topics related to your course, and completing assignments or work for upcoming deadlines.
Take some time out to socialise with flat mates, get together with other students on your course or catch up with old friends, instead of getting snowed under and getting lost in your work.
Doing this and having a break from your work will not only develop your friendship network, but when you go back to doing work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle it again. It’s all about establishing a work-life balance.
Late nights and early mornings are a bad combination, especially when you’ve got a busy day on the horizon. From becoming easily distracted and struggling to remain focused, to making mistakes and experiencing headaches; lack of sleep can leave you feeling tired and frustrated – effecting your productivity as well as your health. Adults who regularly get between 7.5 and 9 hours sleep per night, can be up to 20% more productive and much healthier too.
Exercise isn’t just for those who are looking to lose weight or stay in shape – the benefits of exercise stretch far beyond improvements to your health. Exercising increases the blood flow to the brain, which sharpens your awareness and improves your alertness and focus at work. Other benefits of exercise include increased energy levels and breakthroughs in creative ideas – all of which are beneficial if you’re busy at uni and have lots to get done!
The foods we eat affect our mind as well as our body. Foods high in carbohydrates (such as bread and pasta), release glucose quickly, which leads to a burst of energy followed by a slump. High fat meals (such as burgers and pizzas), provide more sustained energy, but require our digestive system to work harder, reducing oxygen levels in the brain and making us feel groggy and lethargic.
On the other hand, healthier foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat proteins can improve concentration, alertness, problem-solving and productivity. So, the next time you reach for that unhealthy and convenient lunchtime option, consider the impact it may have on your performance for the afternoon…
Got 101 things to do? Don’t know where to start? This can really stall your productivity.
So, whether it’s the fail-safe to-do list on pen and paper, the calendar and reminder functionality on your smartphone, a paper diary or a planner/task management app or online tool, it’s always best to get everything you need to do out of your head and noted down.
Doing this will help you clearly see everything that needs to be done, which will make it easier for you to plan ahead and prioritise tasks based on how much work is required, how important they are and when they need to be done by – making it much easier to stay on top of your to-dos!
Looking at pictures of cute puppies melts our hearts and watching grumpy cat videos make us giggle – both of which improve our moods. But did you know they can increase our productivity too?
It’s been found that people can actually perform tasks requiring focused attention more carefully after they have viewed cute images. This can be a result of the positive feelings that are stirred up after viewing the images, or the fact that viewing cute things can make the viewer more attentive leading to the performance of the next task to be improved.
As well as this, taking time out to view these pictures, gives us a short break from our work which can help to keep us more focused throughout the day.
Our Host student accommodation provides you with a comfortable and relaxing place for you to be productive and somewhere to socialise and make the most of being a student. If you’d like to find out more about living with Host, take a look at our locations or contact us for more information.
To become more ‘environmentally friendly’, Host is launching the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign to encourage responsible behaviour and drive sustainability across our sites throughout the UK and Ireland.
It’s a simple campaign! For every percent we reduce our overall utilities (electric, water and gas) consumption by we donate to one of our nominated charities.
Show me all newsYou will need money for a range of things during your time in University, ranging from food and travel to accommodation and uni supplies. What you need will depends on your particular circumstances, but we have created an exhaustive list to ensure you can plan ahead and save for your university experience.
You’ve packed everything that you can physically fit into your family car. And said goodbye (tearful or otherwise) to your friends back home. Pulling up to your new uni home will be a bit of a whirlwind. Between finding somewhere to park and what you will need to take into reception to check in on move in day. Move in day can feel stressful, but the main thing is that once it’s over and you’re in your new room – the fun can begin.
Being a student can be a little expensive, especially when some find that their maintenance loans don't cover the basics and due to the cost of living crisis. So, be sure to make the most of your student discount while you can. We have been busy finding the best student discounts this Freshers for you. Take a look at some of the best discounts we believe you need to know about right now.
