FOUR WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF LNAP:

1. MAKE A LIST 

Begin LNAP with a list of the tasks you need to work on and break them into small, manageable chunks. 

Procrastination is common. We don’t want to work on something because it looks hard or boring. By breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks, you make those tasks easier. The easier a task is, the more likely you are to work on it.  

Have a midterm? What exactly do you need to study for it? Make a list of all the key terms, important people, theories, concepts, etc. Tell yourself you are going to study five of them. Then another five. And another.  

Or a paper? What are all the steps you need to complete for that paper to be done? You don’t have to write the whole thing at once. Tell yourself you will write 250 words. A page. A paragraph. A sentence. 

A little work is more than no work. And through small successes, you can increase your motivation.  

2. STRUCTURE YOUR TIME 

LNAP runs 5:00 PM to midnight. Prepare. Look at the events and when they’re happening ahead of time. Have a two-hour work session from 5:00 PM to 7:00 M? Plan what you want to work on then.  

This is called an implementation intention it increases productivity. All you need to do is fill in the blanks for this sentence:  

“I will do [ACADEMIC TASK] at [TIME] in [LOCATION]."

Approach LNAP with an expectation of what you want to achieve and when you’re going to achieve it. 

3. POMODOROS 

You can track the time on your phone, computer, or watch. Set a timer for 25 minutes, then work on a single task. Take a five-minute break, and repeat. 

This adds a little more structure to working on your academic tasks and again… you’re breaking it down. Twenty-five minutes is not a scary amount of time to be working on something. 

But be mindful. Will your phone distract you? If so, leave it in your bag where you can’t see it and time yourself with a watch or a Pomodoro website. A quick Google search will yield several. 

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEER TUTORS

Struggling with content? Reach out to a Peer Tutor! Email them before the event and set aside some time during the evening. You are entitled to two FREE hours per week! Visit the Peer Tutoring page to contact a tutor.