How TV can help you study

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he thought of sitting at a desk working for hours on an assignment is the most daunting thing in the world. Knowing you will be cooped up in the library or in your room for days on end working on essays will not make you work any faster: you will be sure to waste-time on Facebook or the Daily Mail, scrolling up and down the newsfeed.

I am a terrible procrastinator, and this procrastination, I have noticed, is far worse when I have not rewarded myself with a proper break. Watching TV while studying has actually helped me work more productively.

It is important to reward yourself while working by taking time out, and the perfect kind of break is a TV break

When you are taking a TV break, you are fully aware that you are taking a break, unlike surfing the internet, which you can do for hours while still having your essay open on Microsoft Word. A TV break is also a timed break, and you know you have only taken thirty minutes (the duration of a standard short episode) out of your work-time.

This set up isn’t always the most conducive to study! Photo: Flickr / Scott Akerman

Here are a few tips to make sure that your TV breaks are enhancing your productivity and not aiding your procrastination:

Focus on a system of rewards and punishment. Make sure you have worked at least two hours before taking a TV break. Your break should not be longer than half an hour. If you take long breaks too frequently your work will suffer!

It’s a good idea to stream or watch Netflix: don’t flip through channels and look for something good to watch, go straight to Netflix or stream a TV show online. That way you can pick what you’re going to watch and actually enjoy your short break. This can even be done in the quiet areas of the library if you’ve brought your headphones.

Watch a comedy or sitcom, rather than series that have a storyline continuation (especially if you have many episodes to catch up on); this will compel you keep watching and, before you know it, the whole day will have passed and gone to waste.

Photo: Flickr / Geoffrey Chandler

Comedy shows and sitcoms usually do not have continuing story lines, and also tend to be shorter than drama series and are more uplifting. Comedic relief will make you forget your stressful task at hand for twenty to thirty minutes, and will leave you fully recharged to work after your break is over.

I would suggest comforting comedies such as The Big Bang Theory, New Girl, Modern Family, The Mindy Project or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or perhaps even good old Friends.

Finally, Make sure you are not becoming a couch potato!

Sitting down in a chair all day, whether you are working or watching TV, is unhealthy

While I think television and work are a good combination, it is important to monitor how much TV you are watching, and while TV breaks are good it is important to set a number of TV shows you will allow yourself to watch a day – for me, three is a good number. Make sure you are not sitting down the whole day by taking non-TV breaks to go the gym, run an errand, or catch up with friends.

If these tips are followed, television will serve as the perfect reward for hard work, and a good dose of humor will elevate your mood enough to work continuously for another few hours!