Your April mentor tip: stay productive this summer
Summer promises warm weather, outdoor activities and so much free time!
In the lead-up to summer, I always tell myself I’ll use the extra time I have to read 10 books, go on hikes and play piano. Then when it finally comes around, I end up dawdling the time away.
Not this year!
Here are some tips on how to stay productive this summer.
1. Learn something new
Are you itching to take more courses or get one step closer to graduation? If you are, Concordia has two summer sessions that offer a multitude of courses in many departments.
You have until May 13 to sign up for summer courses through the MyConcordia portal.
Even if summer courses aren’t your thing, you can still learn something new! Explore new interests — like playing an instrument or cooking — without worrying about deadlines or how the results will affect your GPA.
If it’s a hobby you end up loving, you may have even found a new de-stressor for the next school year!
2. Keep a routine
If you’re not taking any courses and you haven’t found a summer job yet, it’s tempting to skip the alarm and sleep until noon. Keeping a routine can help you stay productive whether you’re taking classes, looking for a job, working or just kicking back!
Set aside a portion of your free days for an activity you love, wake up at the same time every morning or make a daily to-do list. Adding just a little bit of structure to your days can help keep you motivated and productive.
3. Get outside
We all know what winter is like — it’s way too long and cold.
There are also so many things to see and do in Montreal — from parks and festivals, to markets and terraces — take advantage of the sun while you can! In what seems like a blink of an eye, these spots will be packed up again for winter.
When the days are warm and bright and the sun doesn’t set by 5 p.m., take advantage of it! Time spent in the sun improves your mood and energy levels — two incredibly important factors in your productivity! Make sure you are getting outside regularly, whether you are exploring the city, strolling through a park or biking around your neighbourhood!
Concordians can enjoy a 15% discount on BIXI. Sign up before June 1.
Come Explore Montreal with the International Students Office this summer!
4. Rest
More than anything, it’s okay to allow yourself time to rest — it is called summer break, after all.
To many, working long hours and sacrificing sleep indicates drive, productivity and success. This culture of “busy-bragging” is incredibly detrimental to our mental and physical health.
Much like our bodies, our minds need time for rest or we’ll burn out. Taking time to chill out doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated — it’s an important part of achieving any goal!
Find out more about summer at Concordia.
