I begin my assignments by jotting down a summary of the brief I have been given. I break down the key points of the assignment, ensuring I understand what is being asked of me. I find that writing this initial summary helps me focus and provides a solid foundation to build upon. For this, I use Apple Notes, as it allows me to quickly write, organize, and access my thoughts from any device. It’s simple, convenient, and effective for the early stages of my workflow. Once I’ve broken down the assignment, I begin my research by turning to Google. This is my go-to tool for gathering general information, finding relevant articles, and exploring different perspectives on the topic at hand. I appreciate how quickly I can find a wealth of information and resources online, which makes starting the research process easier.
I’m also aware of the many resources at my disposal for more in-depth research, such as media sites, studio outlets, and, of course, the library. While I’ve often relied on the internet for most of my research, I recently discovered that going to the library is incredibly helpful. There, I have access to academic journals, books, and other resources that can provide more scholarly, reliable information. Although I still find the internet more convenient and familiar, I now understand that mixing both online sources and library materials offers a more balanced and comprehensive approach. The library allows me to access niche content that might not be as readily available through Google, and this realization has made me value its role in my workflow more than I did before.
One of the significant pain points in my workflow, however, is struggling with prioritization. I often find myself overwhelmed by multiple tasks, which leads me to feel stuck or unsure of where to start. Sometimes this results in insufficient work being completed, as I either get distracted or spend too much time on one task at the expense of others. To address this challenge, I’ve turned to Trello, an app that helps me organize and manage my tasks effectively. Using Trello, I can break my work into smaller tasks, assign deadlines, and create visual boards that help me track progress. This allows me to see at a glance what needs to be done and when, which has been instrumental in reducing stress and improving my overall efficiency. By using this app, I’ve gained a better sense of structure and a clearer idea of how to prioritize my work.
In my research, I also discovered an app called iA Writer, which is designed specifically for writing. It offers a clean, distraction-free writing environment with features like syntax highlighting and a focus mode to help users concentrate on their writing without interruptions. I plan to integrate iA Writer into my workflow for drafting and writing portions of my assignments. The minimalist design will help me avoid distractions, and the focus mode will allow me to concentrate on one sentence at a time, making the writing process more fluid and efficient. I believe this app will be particularly helpful when I need to organize my thoughts and ensure my writing is clear and concise.
In conclusion, the pain points I identified in my workflow mostly revolve around prioritization and organizing my research. The solutions I’ve found, including Trello for task management and iA Writer for writing, have provided me with tools to streamline my process. The combination of these tools, along with better utilization of both online and library resources, will enable me to improve efficiency, reduce friction, and ultimately produce higher-quality work. By integrating these tools into my routine, I hope to tackle my assignments more systematically and effectively.