5 Things Healthcare Grad Students Should Avoid When Creating Their Productivity & Self Care Routine

Greetings Health Scholars,

Are you a healthcare graduate student struggling with time management and productivity?

If you answered Yes, I understand, and today's newsletter is for you!

Last Wednesday, I hosted our first-ever guest interview on the For Health Scholars YouTube channel with my business mentor Dr. Toyin Alli.

During the interview, we talked about productivity and self-care strategies for healthcare graduate students. I felt that conversation was meaningful as many graduate students are nearing the end of the semester, and stress levels tend to be high!

Dr. Toyin gave terrific tips. You can watch the replay of the episode below:

However, in today's write-up, I am continuing the conversation by sharing my thoughts on the five mistakes that all healthcare graduate students should avoid when creating and executing their productivity, time management, and self-care routines.

As a healthcare graduate student, managing your time, staying productive, and taking care of yourself are essential to achieving success in your academic pursuits. But balancing your academic and personal life can be challenging with the demanding curriculums, internship rotations, and assignment requirements. However, as Dr. Toyin stated in our interview, creating the right productivity, time management, and self-care routine can help you stay on track and reduce stress.

Here are five mistakes to avoid when creating your productivity, time management, and self-care routines.

Mistake #1: Not Prioritizing Tasks

Prioritizing tasks involves ranking them based on urgency, importance, and difficulty level. Not prioritizing tasks can lead to feeling overwhelmed, missing deadlines, and decreased productivity. To avoid this, create a to-do list at the beginning of each day, week, or month, and allocate time-based on the priority of each task.

Mistake #2: Not Taking Breaks

As a healthcare graduate student, getting caught up in the academic demands and work-life responsibilities is easy, leading to increased amounts of fatigue and burnout. Taking breaks is essential to recharge, improve focus, and increase productivity. To avoid burnout, schedule regular intervals throughout the day and engage in activities you enjoy.

Mistake #3: Not Setting Realistic Goals

Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration, decreased motivation, and reduced productivity. Consider your academic demands, work responsibilities, and personal life when setting goals. Set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) and adjust them as necessary.

Mistake #4: Not Managing Distractions

Distractions such as social media, email, and phone notifications can negatively impact productivity and time management. To avoid distractions, consider turning off notifications during dedicated study time, using apps that block distractions, or studying in a quiet environment.

Mistake #5: Not Prioritizing Self-Care

It's easy to neglect self-care due to academic demands and clinical responsibilities. However, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and poor mental health. To prioritize self-care, engage in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental health, such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones.

Overall...

Creating a productivity, time management, and self-care routine is crucial for you as a healthcare graduate student to balance your academic demands, work responsibilities (if applicable), and personal life. Avoiding these five mistakes can help increase productivity, manage time effectively, and promote overall well-being.

All the best!

Dr. Orobosa

For more academic and career advice, check out the For Health Scholars YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/3LjrE9x