stimulating productivity in school and beyond
Since the time between starting this blog and now, I've since graduated university. School was never easy for me, needing a lot of stimulation to focus and not having any motivation to work. I imagine this is the case for many people. So I would like to share some tips that you may find helpful now that I'm on the other side.
1. Take physical notes if you can.
Typing doesn't embed memories as deeply into the brain while physically writing does. Use nice stationery that you like to make the experience more enjoyable.
Make it as colorful as possible - if that doesn't distract you or slow you down (I bought a pack of 100 markers for example). Colors stimulate the brain and help your memory.
2. Make learning a goal and stimulate your brain yourself if the instructor or the content isn't doing it for you. For example, when notetaking, ask yourself lots of questions. What does this concept actually mean? Can I explain it in simple terms? Can I explain it without looking at my notes or book?
Solve lots of problems in the book. Try explaining it in a way a kid could understand or actually teaching it to someone else. Teaching is a great way to learn - to make sure you actually understand what's going on. And it helps cement the content in your brain.
3. Make studying physically stimulating, if you would find that helpful.
For example, I bought a mechanical keyboard and learned to touch type at a late age. It helped me do homework much faster because touch typing is more effective than pecking at keys two at a time. But also the mechanical keyboard was stimulating to my ears (through its clicky noises) and its tactile nature (they are 'brown keys'). I would recommend a mechanical keyboard to anyone that needs to type a lot and needs a lot of stimulation while doing so.
You need to make your study habits, environment, and techniques suit you and help you as much as possible. Research the psychology of effective learning, how the brain takes in information, different methods of studying and what works for people.
Try different things. It's different for everyone and what may work for others may not work for you. Perhaps you need a quiet room to study, or perhaps the company inside a cafe would help more. Perhaps some ASMR in the background would stimulate you into working better (as helped me) or perhaps you prefer silence.
4. If studying is intimidating, tell yourself it's just for 5 minutes and then you can take a break. 5 minutes is truly better than nothing. Often, once you get into the groove of things, you'll find you're too focused to stop anyway and you'll be getting things done.
If your attention span is low, you could aim to study for a reasonable amount of time like 20 minutes and take a 5 minute break after every session. Don't over exhaust yourself by doing everything at once. Schedule your rest. Schedule bouts of procrastination, if need be.
And of course, you need sleep. Sleep is when your memories solidify and without sleep, your brain can't work effectively. Take care of yourself. Any way of keeping your stress down will only make you more effective.
5. I often had trouble staying awake in class or staying focused. So I would bring some sensory toys that would help me: small spike balls and a tangle relax therapy, which is covered in bumpy rubber. I'd use them to massage my hands in my pockets while in class and the bumpy/spiky sensations would help perk me up.
If you bring a fidget/sensory/stim toy to school or work, it's helpful for it to be discreet, small, and quiet. There are various recommendations online, on this website and this blog.
Sometimes such objects are banned in school. There may be some other unsuspicious alternative objects you can use to stimulate your senses. Stationery objects can often fit this use: things like novelty erasers, pens, tape, etc.
Other objects you can use may be ones that simply can't be banned, because they are too common or simple. For example, ear bud covers, silicone food utensils, the zipper on a pouch. With imagination, anything can become a sensory tool.
Another alternative is taking what you can get. Break times. Standing up to go to the restroom. Jiggling your leg. Pinching yourself. Simple things no one can take away.
I hope this helps give some ideas on how to help stimulate productivity in your life.
