How to Optimize Slow Work Days

How to Optimize Slow Work Days Image via pixabay.com Always have study materials on you While you may dread having a shift before a big test when you need the time for studying, you can still put in some studying time if you bring along materials to study with. Always go digital if you can so you have fewer papers to remember to bring and a lighter load. Look at pictures of your study guides or notes on Google Docs. Study concepts on Quizlet, which has a convenient mobile app for on-the-go studying. If you are planning on using your phone, tablet, or laptop, remember to comply with your jobs rules when it comes to using technology during your shift, regardless of how slow it is. If your job prohibits the use of technology during your shift, you can always bring along hard copies of things you need to study class readings, course notes, flashcards, etc. One of the biggest mistakes students can make is mistaking possible studying time as waste of time moments, such as slow days at work, breaks between classes, and commutes to and from school or work. Plan ahead   Having a part-time job as a full-time college student encouraged me to effectively plan out my time there werent enough hours in the day and I always felt like I was falling behind in class or socially. Instead of continuing to struggle with balancing work, school, and my social life, I started to plan out my days, weeks, and months. I always carry my planner on me, allowing me to write any new plans that come up or things I need to buy from the store as I remember them. I often dont have a set time where I sit down and plan out my week, but I often do it when I have downtime at work. If you dont like the idea of carrying around a physical planner, you can always use the calendar app on your phone or the mobile app for Google Calendar to have your schedule on all of your devices, as long as you can access your account. Planning ahead does not have to be limited to figuring out what to do the next day make shopping lists or plan out an essay/assignment you need to do. Planning out things like essays saves you the time you would need to do it at home, helping you start it right away when you actually need to. Get ahead in work, but only when needed   If its slow at work and you have already finished the tasks you need to do for the hour or shift, you may think that there is nothing to do at all. However, you can always get ahead to make it easier for you and/or your coworkers later on. If there are tasks for people later on in the day that you could complete when its slow, get them done early to save yourself the trouble later when there is the possibility that it could be busier than it is at the moment. Restock anything that needs it. Make copies for later. Draft and proofread any emails you need to send out later. When you are getting ahead in work, make sure it will be beneficial if its done earlier. If something needs to be done at a set time (changing something out every other hour, closing a machine down, sending out a reminder email), there is no use in getting ahead when it will have to be done again at a later time or if it will mess with another task later on. Take a breather It may sound weird to try to relax at work, but I often look forward to work when I feel overwhelmed with school. Its a chance to have a reason to step away from anything academic and still be somewhat productive as Im earning money while doing so. Work helps take your mind off of school and gives you some room to breathe, especially on a slow day. If you cant hang out with your friends because you are all busy with school or your own jobs, you can at least find comfort in talking to your coworkers who you hopefully have a friendly relationship with. If it really is a slow day at work, take advantage of the slow pace and relax while you can, knowing that once you get home you need to get back to studying.