THERE is no denying that online class is a new uncharted territory for students despite experiencing it for a whole year. Many of us are struggling to adjust to the “new normal” and are missing the outside world. The usual study dates at coffee shops were replaced by drinking instant coffee while desperately looking for motivation to do school work, hangouts with friends after hell week are now replaced by Facetime or Messenger calls. It feels impossible to adjust and balance everything on our plate. Instead of slumping over the new virtual setup, we can rise to the occasion and make use of different applications for products that are currently emerging.

New is Always Better

       Avoiding distractions has become more difficult now that school has shifted online. Our usual routine of writing notes and reminders isn’t working anymore like how it used to be. Fortunately, we can access everything at the tip of our fingers. Here are some of the examples of applications and websites that you can use to help you be productive.

1. Screen Time – Screen Time is a feature available for Apple users where you can see the amount of time you spend on certain applications. It can be changed or turned off at any time. This feature can be useful for those having a hard time controlling their gadget usage and will allow you to focus more on doing your work. 

(2) Notion - The application has everything, from notes, calendars, reminders, etc. It is available for smartphone and desktop use. All your projects are tracked and organized. It is free for personal use but can also be upgraded to unlock more features.

(3) Forest – Forest helps you focus more on your work and put down your phone. The application lets you plant a “tree” and grows whenever you stick to your task. The “tree” dies when you exit the application and visit other sites. The application has partnered with the “Trees of the Future” campaign to plant real trees and in turn, will let you save the planet while helping be more productive. 

(4) Virtual Cottage – You need to have a Steam desktop application installed before installing it. You only have to type in the task you need to do and the amount of time you want to do it for. It will give you different options for lo-fi beats which are proven to boost productivity. The edge of this website is the relaxing atmosphere that it provides its users.

(5) Chrome Tabs Feature/Divider Tabs Extension - Most, if not all, use Chrome as their default browser. It now features an option where you can group your tabs, rename them, and set their own color, for easy organization.  The more organized you are, the more productive you get. 

(6) Focus-to-do - This dwells on task management using the Pomodoro technique. It is an all-in-one extension where you can make checklists and reminders for different tasks while also helping you keep track of your time. The beauty of this app is that it can be synced with your phone and computer, making it more accessible. 

DIY Study Routine

Oftentimes, we are bombarded with a lot of deadlines and requirements, leaving us overwhelmed. As a result, this leads to procrastination which causes a lot more stress because of the pressure and time constraint. Efficiency and effective time management is one of the many ways to defeat it. Start by making it a habit to list down the things you need to do and categorize them based on its urgency. You have to assess your priorities to help finish your work and avoid getting overwhelmed by deadlines.

Analyze your strengths and allocate enough time to do things that require much more effort. Create a realistic schedule and make sure that you will follow it. Afterward, try to put it somewhere that you can easily see so that you are always reminded of it. Procrastination isn’t worth the stress and you might produce an output that is mediocre. It will only leave you with a subpar grade or worst, you might have to redo your work.

Being a student is not easy, especially in this situation. These tips and recommendations are just some of the things that you can apply to your own study routines to help you take control of your schedule and be more efficient. Despite the expectation for students to be their most productive selves all the time, allow yourself to rest. You might not be in the right mindset to do tasks today, but tomorrow is always another chance to start anew. Take all the time you need and prioritize your physical and mental health as well. Focus your energy on things that give value to your life. Make time for family and friends because at the end of the day, school is always there but your life is irreplaceable.