Focus Fridays: Finding Balance and Productivity during the Weekend
Welcome to the first edition of Focus Fridays. Every Friday, I'll share practical ways for IUSB students to stay balanced, productive, and motivated through the semester. You can think of Focus Fridays as the "end of the week reset": reflections on the week and previous assignments, tips, and stories that help refocus before the next week starts quick.
Why "Focus Fridays"?
If you're like me, by Thursday evening your brain and schedule could be packed with things to do from assignments, readings, and the other parts of your life as well. I wanted a reason to slow down and think about what keeps us grounded in the work as it keeps coming at us. Focus Fridays comes from trying to find the balance of studying well, resting well, and actually enjoying college and not seeing it as constant work. Readers are more likely to return to a blog if it follows a predictable schedule. Whether you are a freshman still figuring out your schedule or where your classes are or if you are a senior juggling majors and jobs, Focus Fridays will come with tips and stories of when others were in high stress situations regarding school.
What I was doing Without Focus Fridays
Last semester, during finals week, I felt as if I was completely stuck. I've had assignments piling on each other. I would spend a lot of my time in the library and was there until close often, going home while still focusing on work, then going right back into the library when they opened in the morning. I knew that being as behind as I was, I felt like even though I was doing a bunch of work I was not getting through my tasks.
During a day I wasn't scheduled to go to classes or work, I ended up walking on campus anyways, I walked through each building and around most of the trees outside. Taking it slowly, I felt clearer in my mind than I had in a few weeks. That small break was worth it and I learned that productivity is not about the constant working and studying but it also is about giving your brain a break in order to realign your thoughts.
Three Tips for Finding Focus
1. Take study walks
A quick walk around campus can clear your head and boost motivation. Try walking across the bridge or watching some of the squirrels on campus for a short time before getting into your next assignment.
2. The 50/10 rule
Study for 50 minutes, then step away for 10. Set a timer, grab a snack, chat with somebody and once the timer goes off study some more for a balance.
3. Reclaim your phone
Turn off notifications during classes, during study time there can be some helpful apps that could promote studying like Forest, or Flora. Forest grows a digital tree when you focus on work more, it can be a fun way to track productivity.
Campus and Connection
Focusing isn't just an individual skill, it's part of campus culture. IUSB is full of resources that help students manage time and stress. The Student Counseling Center offers free mental health services, and the Career Services Office provides workshops on staying organized and career ready.
These programs help me keep in mind that balance is a community effort. Sometimes focusing means reaching out for help instead of trying on your own.
Current Conversations: The Preface
Every week, my friends and I will wait to see if there is a new issue of The Preface around campus. It does get kind of exciting in a way and it connects us to the campus and each other. I'm mostly excited about doing the crosswords and sudoku puzzles because I feel like they're easy and feels rewarding. The reason I bring this up is because The Preface, whether it be the articles or the puzzles, it is a perfect escape for a student that could be over doing it without realizing it. They can pick up an issue and do a few brain games, learn about events that had happened or will be happening around campus. Once the weekly work is done, students can discuss or engage with said events mentioned in The Preface.
One challenge almost every student faces is the cost of textbooks. Even if you buy used or rent, prices can still add up quick. However, The Scholarship System's article on the Best Places to Find Affordable College Textbooks lists trusted sites and strategies for finding cheap and even free digital versions of required books. The post also explains how to compare prices before committing, which can save students hundreds of dollars a year. Using this advice with IUSB's Titan Bookstore rental options can make a difference for anyone trying to save money.
What You Can Expect Next.
Focus Fridays will also spotlight different posts on students and how they stay motivated on campus.
- Interviews with classmates about their study habits
- Hidden quiet spaces for weekend work
- Playlists for studying and relaxing
- Tools and routines for mental clarity
If you have a good focus tip please message or leave a comment, I'd love to include your ideas in upcoming posts.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to setting an alarm for your 50/10 tip. I think I do well with giving myself breaks but I think having a solid reminder every 50 minutes will be beneficial for me.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when I get so caught up in the zone that I don't even realize I have spent a whole morning or afternoon in front of the computer working on homework.
One study space that works well for me is a place with a lot of natural light.
I look forward to your next blog, especially about the never-ending cycle of homework and which coping strategies to use when it becomes overwhelming. That has been a challenge for me lately.
Wow! This blog is super helpful, especially for someone who struggles a LOT with being able to study properly(me). The "Three Tips" make a lot of sense, and just from reading them it seems like a good idea to try. I can often get frustrated with myself when I can't just sit down and study, which isn't good for me OR my test scores... Any more tips posted will be appreciated and given a chance when I am able!
ReplyDelete