Unlocking Your Potential At School (Study Skillz)
Drawing from the work of Cal Newport (and others - Anna Lembke, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Daniel Kahneman)
Here’s some actual, practical things you can do to take back your time, reclaim your life (which work and school are a part of, but they are not your whole life!) and start to tap into flourishing and well-being!
Let’s get into it:
1. Time Blocking
Description:
Time blocking is the practice of setting specific blocks of time for focused tasks. Instead of working from an open-ended to-do list, you designate specific time slots for each task on your calendar, treating each block as a non-negotiable commitment.
How It Works:
Each day, divide tasks into focused “blocks” that have clear start and end times. Each block should have one main purpose, such as “Read research articles,” “Write case notes,” or “Prepare policy presentation.” The key is to focus solely on the designated task during each block, avoiding distractions and multitasking.
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: List tasks for the day or week and rank them by priority.
Step 2: Open your calendar (or use a physical planner) and assign each task a time slot, allowing for breaks between blocks.
Step 3: Respect each block’s purpose. If it’s time to write, focus on writing only. If it’s time to check emails, limit yourself to that.
Step 4: At the end of each block, review your progress and adjust future blocks as needed.
2. Task Batching
Description:
Task batching is grouping similar tasks together and completing them in dedicated blocks of time. This minimizes “context switching,” which can make it harder to regain focus.
How It Works:
Instead of spreading similar tasks throughout the day (e.g., responding to emails, checking references, organizing notes), batch them together. This technique is particularly useful for low-focus tasks that can disrupt your deep work if left scattered throughout the day.
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: Identify tasks that can be grouped (e.g., emails, reference checks, administrative tasks).
Step 2: Create time blocks in your schedule specifically for each batch of tasks.
Step 3: Complete all tasks in the batch during the set block without shifting to other tasks. For example, handle all emails in one batch rather than throughout the day.
3. Pomodoro Technique
Description:
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that breaks work into intervals, typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four “Pomodoros,” you take a longer break. *The big thing here is to be fully focused, but know you can take a break afterwards instead of being half-focused throughout.
How It Works:
This technique leverages short, timed intervals to keep you engaged and helps prevent burnout by balancing work and rest. It’s especially helpful for tasks that require sustained focus, like reading or analyzing case studies.
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: Choose a task and set a timer for 25 minutes.
Step 2: Work on the task until the timer rings, then take a 5-minute break.
Step 3: Repeat for four cycles. After the fourth “Pomodoro,” take a longer break (15–30 minutes).
Step 4: Adjust the intervals based on what works best for your attention span.
4. Task Prioritization with the Eisenhower Matrix
Description:
The Eisenhower Matrix is a prioritization tool that categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance. It helps identify where to focus your energy.
How It Works:
Tasks are divided as follows:
Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important (do these immediately)
Quadrant 2: Not Urgent but Important (schedule these)
Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important (delegate if possible)
Quadrant 4: Neither Urgent nor Important (consider eliminating)
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: List all tasks for the day or week.
Step 2: Assign each task to one of the four quadrants based on urgency and importance.
Step 3: Focus on Quadrant 1 tasks first, then Quadrant 2. Aim to minimize time spent on Quadrant 3 and consider eliminating Quadrant 4.
5. Digital Minimalism
Description:
Digital minimalism involves reducing digital clutter and distractions by being intentional with technology use, especially with social media, notifications, and emails.
How It Works:
This method encourages you to minimize digital tools and streamline how and when you engage with them. By managing tech mindfully, you can free up mental space and energy for more meaningful work.
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: Audit digital habits. Identify apps or habits that tend to distract you (e.g., checking social media frequently).
Step 2: Set specific times for tech use, such as checking emails only twice a day or limiting social media to a few minutes in the evening.
Step 3: Remove or limit notifications for non-essential apps to keep focus during study blocks.
Step 4: Consider using tools like “Do Not Disturb” mode or productivity apps like Freedom or Cold Turkey to block distracting websites during deep work.
6. Reflection and Review Routine
Description:
A reflection and review routine is a scheduled time to assess your goals, evaluate your week’s progress, and identify areas for improvement. This process supports continuous improvement in study habits.
How It Works:
By reflecting on what worked well and what didn’t, you reinforce effective study habits and make adjustments where needed. This technique can also help track academic and personal growth over time.
Steps to Use It:
Step 1: Choose a consistent time (e.g., Friday afternoon or Sunday evening) for a weekly review.
Step 2: Reflect on what went well, what challenges you faced, and any adjustments you could make.
Step 3: Set specific goals or adjustments for the upcoming week.
Step 4: Write down reflections and progress to monitor improvement over time.
Clearly there are many more tools and techniques and of course you have to make it your own. But the key here is to start with some tried and true methods that can get you focused, get you finished, to retain the key and core knowledge and allow yourself other time for rest, play, and all the other things that are important and priorities in your life!
