With winter break upon us and the holidays right around the corner, it is undoubtedly tempting to lounge around all day and binge-watch your favorite TV shows. However, the break is also a great opportunity to get a jump-start on extracurricular activities, schoolwork, or even pursue a hobby. Here are some tips for enjoying the holiday season while also knocking some items off your to-do list.
To maximize productivity, the first and most important thing to do is to set goals. “When I don’t set goals for myself, I feel super unproductive and the whole day can go to waste,” Dublin High junior Madelyn Kris shared. “But when I make to-do lists, I feel much more on track.” Indeed, creating to-do lists is a well-known and effective way of setting objectives for yourself. In addition to starting off your day on the right note, they can relieve you from a lot of stress simply by allowing you to get your thoughts down on paper (or a screen). According to the Harvard Business Review, when we write down information and assign tasks to ourselves, we feel liberated from the stress of holding onto them mentally.
It is also essential that you hold yourself accountable for your goals by creating a schedule for yourself. Some people prefer to schedule tasks on a day-to-day basis, while others benefit from the routine of a weekly schedule. Either way, establishing some sort of plan is key because it eliminates room for flexibility and distractions. That being said, given that winter break is also your time off, it is critical that you don’t overwhelm yourself with a multitude of daunting tasks to complete each day; be realistic and set achievable goals for yourself. After all, there is nothing more demotivating than a schedule left with dozens of tasks unchecked come the end of the day.
Even with the most exhaustive to-do lists and rigorous schedules, though, one thing can still get in the way: procrastination. We all know it’s an issue, but have any of us really overcome it yet? Even if you set healthy goals and establish a realistic routine for yourself, procrastination can be the deciding factor in whether you achieve your goals or not. The truth is, getting started on a task is often the hardest part.
“It’s scary to think about all the assignments I have waiting for me, and I think that’s why I sometimes push things aside,” Rucha Mulay, a junior at Dublin High shared. The most effective way to conquer this fear is to start with an easy chore, just to get the ball rolling. Once you’re in it, you’ve conquered half of the challenge. From there, work your way to more complex tasks. If you have a hard time focusing, instead of overworking yourself and achieving less than desirable results, try a study method like the Pomodoro technique: work for 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break, or personalize those numbers to fit your study habits.
Being productive doesn’t mean you have to work non-stop. Winter break, ultimately, is a time to rest and recharge. Make sure that you set aside time each day for activities that help you relax. Depending on the person, this could look like anything. Maybe it’s watching a favorite holiday movie, spending time with family, or even just enjoying a walk in the crisp winter air. But it is absolutely essential to step away from work and take breaks to avoid burnout. If you grow tired of the clutter of your room or the mess that is your desk, change up your work environment! Head to a coffee shop with a friend or enjoy the quiet of the library. But above all, remember to enjoy yourself this winter break!
