Are there little things you do that just make tasks easier? Sometimes all you need to sail through the day is a helpful hint, a convenient shortcut, or a resourceful boost. Perhaps it’s a productivity tip or a trouble-free way to get through an arduous study session – that’s where a practical hack might come in handy. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re professing our love for hacks that simplify our daily lives. Take it from some of our USC Iovine and Young students and professors. These beloved hacks might become a part of your routine before you know it. 

“This is something I am really passionate about. I love finding small lifestyle changes or habits that help me live my life to the fullest,” says Cohort 8’s Jenna Gestetner. “I have been focusing on setting specific goals for my day to plan what a productive day will look like for me. In a society where busyness is often mistaken for productivity, it is important to define a clear objective to prioritize what truly matters. This mindset shift has allowed me to understand the purpose behind my actions and make intentional work towards my goals.”

Her hack? “Create new habits that will actually last is to place them before a non-negotiable in your routine. If you want to start walking a mile every morning and you always eat breakfast, go on your walk before breakfast. Because breakfast is a permanent part of your routine, stacking the walk before breakfast helps make it a permanent part of your routine.”

Professor Matthew Manos offers up this productivity advice: “I keep a log of various types of tasks, and how long, on average, they take me to complete. I use this as a reference point to plan my week. When I have a series of tasks on my plate, I then add them to a separate calendar (which I call "work sprints") and block off the estimated time the task will take to complete. This helps me focus on one thing at a time, and avoid multitasking.” 

For a streamlined study experience, Cohort 7’s Anna Shaposhnik offers “listening to class readings as an audiobook!” 

Tory Gapp puts a positive spin on the phrase silent treatment with her recommendation. “Using noise-canceling headphones while doing work even if I am not listening to anything has 10 times [increased]  my productivity – 10/10 recommend investing in a pair,” she shares. 

And when in doubt, lighten up your browser. We’re definitely trying out Cohort 9’s Eunice Danielle Malingue-Essomo’s inspiring tab trick. 

A personal favorite hack of hers is “adding a tab extension that provides me with a motivational quote every time I open a new tab.”

There you have it. Swooning yet? Happy hack-ing, indeed! 

Are there little things you do that just make tasks easier? Sometimes all you need to sail through the day is a helpful hint, a convenient shortcut, or a resourceful boost.In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re professing our love for hacks that simplify our daily lives. Take it from some of our IYA students and professors. These beloved hacks might become a part of your routine before you know it.

Hacks We Heart That Help Our Daily Lives