When I get home from class each afternoon, I’m usually exhausted, hungry, and not in the mood for buckling down and getting work done. But we all know that doing homework and studying right when we get home is way better than saving the work for late at night, or blowing it off all together. This afterschool routine will give you time to rewind from a long day and stay productive.
1. Right when you get home, bring your bag to your study space. Take out your planner and make a detailed list of everything you plan to accomplish in that afternoon and evening that is school-related.
2. In your study space, take out everything you need to accomplish these goals and put it all into one pile. (As you complete tasks, you can refile papers and put things back into your bag.)
3. Change into your comfy “at-home” clothes. It’s much more relaxing to be at home with fresh, soft clothing.
4. Get a snack and a drink. Eat before you start working, and use the time to chill, listen to music, and get pumped for productivity.
5. Go to your study space. All your materials should be laid out for you already, so all you have to do is turn off your phone, find a playlist, and get cracking!
6. Take a timed 5-minute break in between tasks. Use this time to refill your drink, stretch, use the restroom, and check your phone.
7. When it’s time for dinner or another scheduled activity, use that time as a mental break. Don’t rush to get back to work unless you know you’ll be pressed for time.
8. After eating dinner and leaving other commitments, finish up your work and then get ready for bed.
9. Take ten minutes to look over notes for the next day, tidy up, and get everything ready for the morning.
10. Reward yourself for your productivity with Netfilx, pleasure-reading, or whatever else feeds your soul. Then, get a good night’s sleep!