Busy but Not Productive: The Reality of OAU Students' Lives

             Taiwo Adelusi

When you walk around OAU campus, you will see “the productive students." They are either in the library or in a lecture room, books in hand, headphones on, and laptops open, moving with purpose. However, the truth is that productivity doesn’t always look the same from the outside.

A productive day as a student can take different forms, students have their own interpretation of productivity. While some consider it the ability to complete a daily to-do list, others sees it as finishing a challenging task they have been working on for weeks.

There is a common belief that a productive day means waking up at 5 a.m., attending every class, studying for hours without distraction, and completing every task on your to-do list. However, in reality, most students fail to live this way, and those who try often experience burnout.

A truly productive day is not about doing everything; it is about doing what matters most. Productivity is not perfection. It can be subjective, but generally it means one have effectively managed one's time and energy to complete tasks that advance one's goals.

So, what does a productive day mean for students on campus?

According to Obayemi Oluwatomisin from the Faculty of Education, “A productive day, for me, isn’t just about how many things I get done; it’s about how intentional I am with my time and energy. It is a day when I make progress on something that truly matters to me, even if it’s small. A day when my mind is engaged, not just busy, where I learn, think, or reflect in a meaningful way."

Another student from the Faculty of Health Sciences, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “for me, having a productive day on campus is when I can study fully for 5 hours or more, rest, and then work on my business. Going to lectures isn’t productive for me because I really don’t enjoy it due to the noise and stress that come with it.”

Conversations with students reveal a few common patterns. They prioritise not multitasking, create personal systems such as to-do lists, planners, or reminders to help organise their time.

However, certain challenges make productivity difficult for students. Elijah from the Faculty of Education explained, “having a productive day on campus is really hard because the stress can be overwhelming. The academic pressure, impromptu tests and classes, and unexpected expenses can distract you from thinking about productivity; you just want to survive the stress at the end of the day.”

Obayemi added, “Staying productive on campus can be tough due to distractions, unpredictable schedules, and mental fatigue. Between classes, social interactions, and personal responsibilities, it’s easy to lose focus or feel overwhelmed, which makes it hard to stay consistent and make meaningful progress.”

Essentially, students’ lack of productivity isn’t due to laziness but rather the result of academic pressure, financial stress, social expectations, and mental fatigue.

For students, having a productive day can have a positive impact if approached realistically. Even if their “to-do list” seems insignificant, their actions can transform it into something meaningful. Productivity can improve academic performance, build confidence, and create a sense of control. However, when misunderstood, productivity can increase anxiety, lead to burnout, and foster unhealthy comparisons.

As a student, it's essential to redefine what a productive day means to you. Remember, productivity isn’t about doing everything perfectly. Maybe it is attending that one class you felt like skipping, studying for 30 focused minutes, or simply showing up when it is hard.

At the end of the day, productivity isn’t about looking busy; it is about making progress—no matter how small. The most productive students aren’t those doing the most work; they are the ones focusing on what truly matters and giving themselves enough credit to keep going.