5 Productivity Tips To Help You Study Smarter

When it comes to studying, discovering new ways to squeeze the most out of your productivity is the Holy Grail. Many people report wishing they had the energy and focus to knuckle down and make the most out of their time. So here’s the good news. With these five productivity hacks, just about anyone can learn to study smarter, faster and more efficiently.

1. Follow natural energy cycles

To operate at our best, humans need to rest at 90-minute intervals. Following a 90-minute ‘work’ 20 minute ‘rest’ pattern will increase your focus, awareness and energy levels.

2. Stop multitasking

We often consider multitasking to be a sign of productivity, when in actual fact, science concludes that it makes us less productive. Our brains don’t actually multitask. Instead, they switch rapidly from project to project, making us inefficient and fatigued.

3. Take a power nap

It is widely recognised that having a short, sweet power nap can boost your productivity throughout the day. After lunch, serotonin and dopamine levels experience a big drop, making us feel sluggish and tired. The ideal time to nap is between 1 and 4pm, in a quiet place. Aim for either 20 minutes or more than 90 minutes.

4. Exercise while you work

People who exercise on a regular basis have been found to be more productive than their lazier counterparts. Exercise also improves overall brain performance, making it more likely that you’ll get things done faster, and to a higher standard.

5. Play some music

Having background music on may seem like a distraction, but studies show it actually increases productivity! Music releases the pleasure neurochemical, dopamine, which activates the reward system in our brains and lifts our mood.

Follow these tips and see if you notice a difference when you study!