A laptop is a necessity for students. It is used for online classes, research, homework, personal projects or freelance gigs. If you have a Mac with you, the good news is that it can be optimized for more productive studying. Here are several tips to achieve this.
Organize your browser
The browser is another part of a laptop that tends to get cluttered quite easily. Some people also advise having two separate browsers – one for study/work, the other for personal use. It can be effective because it creates a specific routine that creates a mood. On Mac, you can set priorities on which browser to automatically open in specific cases (like Chrome links for Slack and Firefox for messages)
In any case, be sure to clean up and optimize your browser, so that it works faster. Regularly clean the cache, close unused tabs and mark only relevant websites. You can also separate bookmarks into multiple folders. Put the most used ones as shortcuts.
For example, students can put their useful study resources like article writing service websites. Such services can be a lifesaver when you are struggling with college homework. They offer help with writing, editing, and proofreading all types of academic papers, whether you need an essay or a thesis. And they can do it fast thanks to the amazing writers on the team.
Experts will cover any subject and topic according to your needs. So if you need your paper polished or want to do it entirely from scratch, these platforms are the way to go. They offer excellent services and unique documents even in the shortest possible time.
Clean up your desk
Although this is a simple trick, it is extremely effective. A cluttered desk makes it harder to find things and more likely to distract you from what you’re doing. So the less the better. Now you can only focus on one thing: the research, the article or the online conference.
A good idea might be to create two separate users – one for college and one for leisure. You can even set different fingers for Touch ID to easily switch between them. Each user can have a separate desktop with only necessary applications. For example, you can set a restriction to open messengers only on a personal account.
Try the focus function
This is a great feature for students who need more focus on their tasks. It allows you to filter the notifications you receive during a defined period. For example, if you are writing your essay, you can restrict all notifications in addition to essential notifications.
The best part is that you can set focus modes for various activities with different adjustments. For example, one for writing, another for reading and another for games. And it automatically syncs with your iPhone, so notifications won’t distract you.
Boost Mac Performance
In terms of speed and power, there are also several things you can do to improve mac performance. This includes:
- Regularly update the system for new features and security measures;
- Use “Optimize Storage” feature for more space and higher speed;
- Close applications you are not currently using. Click and hold the application icon on the Dock and click “Exit”;
- Uninstall apps you haven’t used in a long time and don’t plan to use;
- Clear startup items. Go to “System Preferences – Accounts – Login Items”;
- Use the “Fan Control” function when working with your laptop;
- Regularly check the Activity Monitor to see what apps are running;
- Empty the Recycle Bin and delete files you don’t need from the hard drive.
Try VoiceOver
Macs have an amazing feature that many students can benefit from – VoiceOver. He reads the selected text aloud. This is useful for those who process audio information better. Or it can be comfortable if your eyes are tired after long hours of reading.
You can also use it to read large chunks of text aloud while doing other things. For example, you can listen to lecture notes or key points while working on an assignment. Another application for VoiceOver is to use it when proofreading your writing. It is often easier to assess the flow and notice errors when listening to the text.
To activate this feature, you can use the shortcut Cmd+F5.
Define backups
There are several ways for students to back up information on Apple computers. Using regular backups is a great habit to protect all valuable data.
Here’s what you can do. First, you can use Time Machine to back up all information to an external hard drive. Second, use iCloud for all essential documents. This way, you can always access it from other devices on the go. And if a physical disk fails, you still have digital storage. Set them both to automatic functionality and you will never forget to back up your data.
Create virtual screens
If you need to separate several things, you can create virtual screens. This way, each of them will focus on a particular task without distracting you. For example, one can be to write an essay that you need to do. And another can be for your calendar and schedule to be presented in full screen.
This way you can switch easily when needed and keep an eye on all things for today. Some of the best scheduling apps for Mac are Fantastical and Todoist.
Remove apps from the Dock
If your Dock is filled with all types of icons, that can be a distraction as well. It is even possible to completely hide the Dock (right-click on empty space in the Dock and choose “Enable Hiding”). But if it’s not for you, the other option is to delete irrelevant apps from there.
The minimalist approach boosts concentration, saves time and avoids decision fatigue. For example, you might only need a browser, a search tool, notes, Skitch, or a screenshot tool on your Dock. Other icons can be deleted. To do this, right-click on the icon and uncheck the “Keep in Dock” option.
In summary
With a little optimization and organization, you can make your Mac much more efficient and comfortable for your studies. Use these tips to tailor it to your specific needs.