Get things done in 7 days: Your student productivity reboot

Are you tired of feeling behind on deadlines? Take control of your week with this simple, student-friendly seven-day challenge. It’s designed to help you reset, refocus and reclaim your time so you can study smarter, not harder. 

Day 1: Identify demands on your time 

Start by making a list of all your: 

• University commitments: weekly readings, lectures, tutorials, assessments, webinars. 
• Other fixed commitments: paid work, family responsibilities, sport, clubs. 
• Free time activities: social events, hobbies, relaxation time. 

Day 2: Set your priorities for the trimester 

• Write down your top three academic goals for the week, month and trimester ahead. 
• Use the ‘Must-Do, Should-Do, Nice-to-Do’ method to rank tasks. Start with the tasks that directly contribute to your goals. 

Day 3: Schedule break time 

• Block at least one hour per day for something fun and relaxing. Rest improves productivity. 

Day 4: Optimise your study environment 

• Find a quiet, comfortable space with good lighting. 
• Gather everything you need before starting (water, notes, charger). 
• If possible, use noise-cancelling headphones or ambient music to stay focused. 

Day 5: Declutter your digital space 

• Organise your files and bookmarks: create folders for each course, delete duplicates and save key links in one place. 
• Turn off unnecessary notifications for 24 hours: limit distractions so you can focus. 

Day 6: Try Pomodoro 

• Use a timer app or a YouTube Pomodoro playlist to break your study time up into chunks: 25 minutes focused work, then a 5-minute break. 

Day 7: Reflect 

• Review what worked and what didn’t. 
• Write down two habits you’ll keep for next week. 

For more tips and advice, see our Time management web page, or if you need additional support, contact the Library.