Student Perspectives: Grad Student Productivity Tips

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Graduate school can sometimes feel like a constant balancing act between coursework, career preparation, family, relationships, events, work, and internships. On our quest to find what helps grad students prosper, we asked students about their tips, habits, hacks and tools that help them stay productive and balanced while managing coursework, career prep, personal goals and life.

MS Finance student Nunzio Sabino was one of the first students to share his thoughts:

“As an international student actively pursuing career opportunities, my day-to-day is split between networking events, office visits, and a mix of virtual and in-person coffee chats. Outside of these, I dedicate time to lectures, assignments, an on-campus job, and regular gym sessions.”

Generally, Nunzio likes to have clear objectives and planning in grad school.

“I prefer to structure my week in advance, usually on the weekend, blocking out time for both obligations and intentional free time. For me, having clear objectives keeps me focused and balanced.”

Regularly, Nunzio tries to conduct an audit on his productivity and efficiency for the month. With regular reflection and adjustments, he is able to keep track of how much time tasks take him, what areas he can improve on, and automate as much as possible. Tools that Nunzio uses for this:

  • Google Calendar and CoPilot
  • Perplexity AI and ChatGPT for automation and task tracking.

“Without structure, the day-to-day activities become reactive and limited to your immediate focus.”

Looking back at his undergraduate experience, Nunzio would say the biggest difference in his approach to getting tasks done is intentionality.

“I approached tasks as they appeared. Now as a graduate student, I’m far more deliberate in planning my time. I choose with intention where to invest my efforts to accelerate growth in the areas I value most.”


According to our survey, a majority of Zicklin graduate student participants identified time-management as the most important skill for productivity in graduate school, following AI resources and prioritizing wellness.

Take a look at some general tips these students contributed:

“I tend to work harder during the peak recruiting season from August to October, and take things a bit easier during the hiring freeze period around November to December.”

- Mengze Chen, MS Financial Risk Management 2026

“Have a to do list for the week but schedule just the day, do 3 things on your to do list every day. Divide them by: very important, urgent, not important. Do the most important things first.” - MS Marketing ’26 student

“Printing the syllabus and ticking the days that have passed helps me keep track of the deadlines.” - MS Marketing ’26 student

Implementing even a few of these strategies can reduce stress, keep you on track, and help you make consistent progress toward academic and career goals. We appreciate all of the tips students shared with us. 

Beyond time management and planning, another key factor in productivity is where you choose to work.

 

Why Study Environment Matters for Productivity

Your environment directly affects your focus, energy, and efficiency. A well-designed study space reduces distractions, supports concentration, and helps your brain associate that space with “work mode.”


Key Ways Environment Impacts Productivity

· Distractions: Noise, clutter, and notifications break concentration and increase mental fatigue.

· Comfort: Poor lighting, uncomfortable seating, or bad posture can reduce focus and motivation.

· Mental association: Using the same space for studying trains your brain to switch into focus faster.

· Energy levels: Natural light, airflow, and organization influence alertness and mood.


Improve Your Study Environment—See What Baruch Offers

Library spaces: For quiet studying, the Newman Library offers general study rooms, presentation rooms, and Graduate Student–exclusive study rooms (Rooms 444 and 442). 👉 Book a room here!

Student lounges: Check out the new student lounge at 17 Lex—up the stairs to the right of the turnstiles. It’s a comfortable space for focused work or casual studying.

Computer labs: The Baruch Computing and Technology Center at 151 E 25th St is ideal for tech-heavy work which also offers study rooms for quieter sessions.

Dining Rooms: Perfect for maximizing your time by eating and working simultaneously. Keep in mind that power outlets may be limited. 

The locations for all of these can be found here.

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