By Foo Le Xuan Shanice (25S03A), Elisa Lim (25S07A), Peer Helper

Dear Desperate Dumbo, 

With the holidays finally clearing out our hectic schedules and freeing us from many extracurricular commitments, it is only natural to feel the need to fill up the time with more productive activities.

You may have started off your holidays with an extensive list of potential ways to spend your time, but as the holidays progressed, found yourself procrastinating these tasks time and time again. To aid you in your dilemma, let’s first identify some possible factors that may contribute to this issue. 

Desire for relaxation

After an entire year of keeping up with lectures and tutorials on top of revision and extracurricular activities, it’s no surprise that you might want to use the time to catch up on your favourite shows or reset your sleep schedule. 

We have to first note that it is not a bad thing to be “unproductive” — for example not doing anything that yields significant results— as we all need to rest and recharge in order to improve our overall performance, mood and health.

However, many of us still find it hard to draw the line at how much to indulge in these activities before overindulgence kicks in. Realistically, it is much easier to give ourselves just 5 more minutes on Tiktok compared to actually getting up and starting the task at hand.

Lack of structure

An overwhelming amount of goals without a feasible plan to achieve them could also contribute to the issue. The pressure of tackling large or daunting tasks coupled with the absence of a set routine or schedule could make it hard for one to stay focused. 

Furthermore, it may lead to overestimation of the time you have to complete your tasks, resulting in a lack of motivation to act on them. 

Burnout and perfectionism

An academically rigorous year and a possible mildly-traumatic experience during the promotional exam season may have led to an increased amount of stress which bleeds into both physical and mental health. This leads to burnout, which refers to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often from overworking or constant pressure. It results in fatigue and lack of energy, making even simple tasks seem overwhelming. It also chips away at one’s confidence, making them feel that they are incapable or inadequate.

Additionally, you might feel pressured to set extremely high standards for yourself in order to make up for any of the shortcomings you’ve had over the course of this year. For example, taking on the huge task of improving your grade from an S to an A. The pressure to meet the standards you set for yourself can create a constant feeling of never being “good enough.” 

A consequential lowered self esteem and a sense of helplessness results in a paralysing lack of motivation and a decline in productivity. 

So, what can I do now?

After identifying the list of possible issues that may be causing our lack of productivity, how can we effectively push ourselves to achieve more and get things done without jeopardising our own rest? Let’s look at some active steps to regain momentum and utilise our time wisely, while balancing our body and mind’s uncompromisable need for rest.  

Steps to take to regain momentum

1. Identify the reason behind your slowdown and lack of productivity 

By identifying what exactly is holding you back from achieving more, it is easier to stay set targeted goals that are more achievable. Additionally, if you realise that you are facing a particular issue eg. burnout and perfectionism, you can invest time into getting adequate rest and prioritise self care. 

2. Celebrate small wins and be careful not to overwhelm yourself with tasks! 

By celebrating your milestones, your spirits will be uplifted and your confidence boosted. Not only does it improve your mood, it can create a chain reaction of positivity and progress that builds your momentum towards regaining productivity. Additionally, by focusing on your progress, it can take away any unnecessary stress that you may have on yourself when you focus on your room for improvement. 

3. Prioritise time to rest and schedule breaks

Scheduling breaks is crucial to ensure that we remember to recharge and rest amidst our productive sessions, prioritising time for self care and rest allows us to mentally and physically recharge, repairing our bodies and allowing us to reach optimal functionality. Not only will this reduce the risk of burnout, it regulates our moods and improves our cognitive function and focus. 

Tips to utilise your time wisely 

1. Set clear, concise and achievable goals

Creating SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) can give you a clearer picture of exactly what you hope to achieve. This clarity gives you a more focused direction and encourages easier progress tracking towards your clear target. Additionally, the achievability of your goal makes it less overwhelming for you and makes it easier to take the first step against procrastination!

2. Rid yourself of any distractions 

This may seem like an obvious pointer and we are likely all familiar with the advice to — “…not be distracted while you are doing work!!!” However, admittedly it is our biggest obstruction from efficiently doing our work. Thus, instead of lying to ourselves that we are able to focus with notifications flooding in, we have to learn how to take greater precautions and truly RID OURSELVES of any distractions. This can be done by putting your mobile phone in another room, finding someone to keep you accountable while you do work or simply testing out different work areas to find out which environment is the most conducive for you!

And if you are still feeling overwhelmed…

A final word of advice is to take sufficient time to rest and recharge before planning out simple tasks to kickstart your holiday. Instead of allowing your mind to be overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks you would like to do, take the time to pen down your to-do list (and bucket list). With that, have a fruitful and restful holiday! :)

Sincerely, 

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset 

If you need anyone to talk to about any issues you might be facing, do drop by My Rest Space near Marymount gate and talk to one of our peer helpers! We’re open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3 – 5 p.m., and Wednesday 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. If you would like to meet a peer helper on a regular basis, do email us a request at rafflesinstitutionphp@gmail.com or fill in our request form at our website: https://rafflesinstitution5.wixsite.com/rafflespeerhelpers