If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely reached the point in the summer where your brain is just short of completely scrambled. Deadlines are a foreign concept to you, ‘To Do’ lists are a lost cause, and procrastination is at an all-time high. That’s okay, though. For these four months of the year, when there are no classes or standard routines, it’s perfectly normal for some of us to slip up when it comes to responsibility. Unfortunately, the summer must come to an end at some point, and those of us suffering from Summer Syndrome must find a way to snap back into reality. With this in mind, I present to you my three tricks for breaking the Summer Syndrome spell.
Upcoming September Calendar. Photo courtesy of Emma Puddicombe.
1. The Sunday Night Check-In.
Step 2: Set an alarm or reminder for a 30 minute sit down with yourself on the Sunday night of each week.
Step 3: Listen to the alarm when it goes off on the Sunday night of each week.
Step 4: During this half hour, you will sit down with yourself and list all the tasks you want to complete this week.
This list could include simple tasks like picking up prescriptions, meal prepping or sending that one email to your professor regarding an upcoming assignment. Pick one or two tasks per day that need to be done and list them in a weekly schedule that you will keep with you at all times. The key here, though, is not to overload yourself. This mini ‘To Do’ list will help you remember what needs to be done and will give you something to do every day. By keeping the list on your person at all times, you won’t forget the opportunity to feel like you’ve accomplished something every day!
*Note: This could also be called the Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday Night Check-In depending on what day you prefer. Make it your own!
2. The Fifteen Minute Timer
Step 2: Set a timer for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Work on something you need to do for that full 15 minutes.
This could be an assignment you need to work on, an article you need to write, or a room you need to clean. While 15 minutes may not seem like a lot of time, it’s actually shocking how much you can get done in that time. The best part? It’s only 15 minutes. When that timer runs out you can do one of two things: 1) You can pat yourself on the back, call it a day, and do the same thing the next day. 2) You can keep going. It’s amazing how quickly the floodgates of productivity can be opened if you only dedicate 15 minutes of time to a task. It’s even more amazing when that task takes less than 15 minutes to complete!
3. The Coffee Shop
Step 2: Put on clothes and leave your house.
Step 3: Go to a coffee shop.
Step 4: Start working on what you need to get done.
It’s amazing what a change in scenery can do for your productivity. Your mind feels refreshed, your senses are sharper, and suddenly that assignment you have been procrastinating on for the last week doesn’t seem as dreadful. Something about being out in public makes it harder to watch “Just one more episode” on Netflix, or scroll through Instagram for “Just another five minutes.”
*Note: Step 3 is negotiable. Go wherever you feel most comfortable just as long as it’s out there with other people. Other locations include a library, restaurant, building lobby, etc. I just like coffee shops because they have muffins.
**Another Note: If you’re at a loss of where to go for inspiration, check out 8 Best Cafes Near The University of Toronto.
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And there you have it! Three tricks for getting that summer sloth off your back and jumping into a new a productive school year. While it is only halfway through the summer, the old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” So be sure to try out these tricks with minor tasks before the rush of September sneaks up on you. Good luck and happy productivity!
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