Being productive when you don't feel like it

Let's be honest here, we've all been there. You know you need to get stuff done, your finals are near but you just can't move yourself to study. The struggle is real.

Let's first look at why we usually feel this way:

1. It's been a long time since you did anything productive and your mind has gone into lazy mode.

2. You feel overwhelmed, there is so much to do but so less time and all you feel like doing is curling up into a ball and sleeping or looking for distractions.

3. Your energy levels are low..you haven't been eating properly and are mentally tired. Your brain need glucose to function-Just go eat!

4. You've been working yourself too hard for awhile- in that case, you are probably burnt out and need a well deserved break.

Right. If you come under category one or two, here are some of the things that have helped me:

Clean your work space

A cluttered work space not only makes it harder for you to work but it also adds mental strain without you even noticing it. Cleaning up also makes you want to get work done.

Do a brain dump

Is there too much going on in your mind when you sit to study? Do a brain dump. Just get a piece of paper and keep writing down whatever is running through your head and get it over with till you are done. Have it nearby. Every time something comes up, just write it down and tell your brain that you'll think about it later. This will free up some thinking space.

Do some other productive work

Doing something productive but easier than what you are getting yourself to do usually does the trick. I ,for example, type up a post for this site. This usually does the trick.

Plan it out

Write down all that you need to study. Plan how best to study them, do you need to make mind maps? Do you need to draw a lot? Can you categorize and group it for easier study? Flow charts? Tables? When you go into detail to plan it like this, your brain goes into work mode and will probably get motivated.

Organize material

Bring together everything you need to study: Textbooks, notes, question banks, past papers. Everything. This along with the planning will tell your brain that you are serious about getting this done.

Remove all distractions

Don't sit in front of a TV, put your plane on airplane mode or just keep it in the next room. You know how hardcore you need to go. Your study space should be a distraction free area.

Break it down into chunks

If you feel overwhelmed, break down what you have to study into smaller, more manageable chunks. Remember that planning you did? This is part of it. I usually break down a chapter into the smallest possible subtopics.

Read the easiest first

Start with the easiest/interesting/least boring topic first. You already don't feel like working, if you take up something that's hard, that's not going to work in your favor. Also if you have notes, read that first. It can be intimidating and overwhelming to read from the book.

Set a timer

Tell yourself that you are only going to work for this long and force yourself to study one chunk for that amount of time.When I'm feeling particularly lazy, I set it for 10 minutes or even 5! Do three or four of these and you'll start to get into the flow. Make sure you finish each chunk in that about of time so you feel a bit accomplished.

Cross things off a list

Write down each subtopic and strike it out as soon as you finish one .Trust me, it's very satisfying! Also, your brain has proof of how much you have done and it motivates you to do more.

Take breaks- but not too long

Take breaks in between, but if your breaks are too long, then you probably won't be coming back to start again. Take my advice on this one, I've been there one too many times! Also, time your breaks so you don't get lost in time. Also, study as long as you can before taking a break. Sometimes I take breaks just because I feel like I have studied for this long even though I actually have some juice left in me. Remember, it's hard to get back from breaks, so use your study sessions properly.

Teach it

Learn it like you are going to teach someone or actually teach it to someone. You'll study more seriously plus it'll stick in your head.

Switch locations

If you get bored of studying in the same place, switch locations.

Study with a friend

Find someone to study with, it will make the burden seem less. But make sure you don't start straying. Also, find someone who has almost the same pace as you so neither of you hold each other back.

Take a short nap

If you are getting tired of studying and it has been quite some time, take a nap. It will let you process all that you have read and also you wake up feeling refreshed. The perfect nap time for me is 30 minutes. Longer than that-it's hard to wake up!

That's all I have! Hopefully some of these might work for you. All the best!