Productivity while travelling

What does productivity mean to you?
To me, it means completing a certain amount of schoolwork (mostly) within a certain amount of time. It means avoiding scrolling during study hours. It means actually locking in. But while travelling, it becomes a next-level struggle.

I currently move in and out of Belgium and Pakistan due to two residencies and school attendance. My classes often look like midnight meetings, and most of the learning turns into self-study afterward. I can barely catch up with school, so my main aim is to stay ahead. As of today, I have four subjects and two standardized tests to study for. Things feel a little unsteady, but a few productive days in a row here and there are enough to motivate me.

A productive day for me begins with making my bed (a huge factor)—and getting myself ready, like taking a cold shower on days when I really need to focus. I eat a quick breakfast, tidy my surroundings, and get to work right away (no lounging around). I prefer to study for at least an hour before checking my phone or taking a break, although short breaks are far more realistic than one long break after an extended study session.

On vacations, I have to amend to the schedule rather than the other way around. I like to set aside a fixed set of hours so that it doesn’t interfere with the holiday mood or fuel my overthinking. This helps me enjoy the break without feeling guilty or mentally cluttered. 🙂‍↔️

I can’t sit still on a normal day either. When I’m bored, I like to do something productive—it makes me feel useful. Some things that compete with school are writing, reading, and cooking, which are much easier to do on vacation since they aren’t due or being assessed. 

Productivity for me is not about perfection or completing my checklist. It’s about momentum. When I feel like I’m moving forward, I feel calmer and more in control. That’s why staying ahead matters so much to me. Time zones stretch days unnaturally, and familiar study environments disappear. What works in one country doesn’t always work in another, and I’ve had to accept that my definition of a “good study day” changes depending on where I am. Some days, productivity looks like finishing a full set of tasks. Other days, it’s just showing up, opening my notes, and not procrastinating. Maybe a movie or two at night follows those type of days.