Finding the Best Time and Place to Study

Being a student with the University ot Minnesota, I have noticed a few things:

• You will most likely always be a day behind, get used to it.
• You will most likely always be be a tad stressed out, use it to your advantage.
• You will most likely always face productivity issues.

Let me deal with the last one, which you can of course completely change around and become completely productive in your own work.

1. Look at the Distraction Scale: find out which areas and study areas have lower or higher distractions.  Some people say that they don't mind distractions, the truth is everyone should.  A distraction is a distraction, and unless you are able to turn off everything around you will forever be benefited from an area of less distraction.  Judge it on a ten point scale (this is a subjective way of doing it, but it only matters to you), and find out which area or study place has the least distractions.  Keep in mind that sometimes a coffee shop that has none of your friends wanting to talk to you is a great study place, but every time somebody pulls you from your book or your reading, it is a distraction.  From this, find the best place to study that is closest your areas of study (sometimes it is less of a waste of time to go somewhere nearby your lecture or discussion before and after class versus going across campus to your favorite place).
2. Seek Out the Study Areas: College campuses are completely flooded with study areas and lounges.  Keep your eye open for the quiet areas with a spot for your computer and one that allows you to sit up and be comfortable. 
3. Bring With You ONLY What You Know You Can Complete: by doing this, you will allow yourself to focus on only a few tasks at hand and not gain anxiety by seeing the pile of books and notes inf front of you. 
4. Before you move through your day, plan and know the time that you will be studying.  Finding out at which time your brain is the most focused and willing to do homework, utilize it.  Some study better and FASTER when they are well nourished, after an exercise, before dinner, or an hour before bed.  Recognize the amount of time the homework will take, and try to block out time for it.

So, block out time for your homework, do it in an area of low distractions, and do it at a time when your brain is at its peak and homework is "easy" to do.  Make sure to give yourself enough time, but make sure to understand how to cut corners and achieve the same result (aka, change up your reading, your study methods, and the way that you handle note taking in order to do everything in less time)

FInd ways to become more productive, and remember don't do your homework while watching a movie with your friends (you are just kidding yourself). 

Good luck!
Dustin