This content creator shares her blueprint for productivity while juggling a full-time job

We all know how challenging it is to balance a full-time job on top of the other errands we have to run every day. So a lot of times, we find ourselves struggling to spare some time doing the things we love like working out or even creating content for our socials. However, content creators like Rachel, who goes by @rach.atelier on Instagram, seem to have it all figured out.

The 25-year-old creative, rose to fame when she started her ‘Studygrammer’ account back in 2017 when she was a student. She used her platform to share her notes and planner spreads which became a hit, and has grown a loyal following of 41.7K followers (and counting) ever since.

“Since then, I’ve evolved my content to include lifestyle, beauty and organisation. I’ve always enjoyed sharing my interests, which have definitely evolved over time.”

Seven years down the road, the content creator has landed her first full-time job. And while the thought of starting a new chapter in a corporate industry may seem a little daunting for some, it seems like Rachel has it all sorted. She shares, “It’s still an ongoing journey for me, but blocking out my time really helps. During work hours, I focus on giving my best at my full-time job, and after that on my evenings and weekends, I’ll schedule time to fully focus on my content. I also schedule time in my calendar for quality time with my loved ones, and also for some me-time.”

STAYING PRODUCTIVE

In this digital age, where we can’t seem to live without our devices, Rachel shares that she does rely on a few apps and devices to keep herself on track with what needs to be completed on a day-to-day basis.

“I use the Calendar and Notion apps the most to stay organised and maintain productivity. On the Calendar app, I’m able to block out and schedule time for both my work, content creation and social life, and it’s a lot easier to plan things months in advance with the app since my work calendar is also synced up with my personal calendar.”

As for Notion, a productivity software with impressive capabilities — including capturing thoughts, managing projects, and even running an entire company — Rachel admits that it has significantly improved how she juggles her busy schedule, allowing her to seamlessly balance content creation, her full-time job, and personal commitments. “I use Notion for lots of things, such as tracking my expenses and working out my budget. I also use it to plan my content calendar, as I really enjoy how easy and simple the interface is and it’s allowed me to organise my ideas all in one place.”

A MUST-HAVE IN HER WORK BAG

Apple has had a slew of new releases in September, but the tech giant also surprised fans when it announced the release of its latest iPad Mini 7. Size-wise, the iPad Mini, as its name suggests, is a fraction of the original iPad, and boasts an impeccable system built with an A17 Pro chip that supersedes its predecessors.

On top of its new and improved system, the iPad Mini 7 is also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, making it a great accessory that’s not only perfect for creatives, but for working professionals in different fields to work on the go – it’s no wonder that this new device has become an essential must-have for creatives like Rachel.

“(The iPad Mini 7) has cemented a spot in my everyday bag - with its lightweight and portable size, it’s been a no-brainer to carry this with me when I’m heading to work or going out on weekends to run errands. I’ve used this to align my personal, work and content creation schedules with Goodnotes, edit videos on the go with my usual editing apps, conduct research and check emails for my full-time job, and more.”

SMALL IN SIZE, BIG IN POSSIBILITIES

Despite its rather compact size, the iPad Mini 7 is still a force to be reckoned with. Rachel shares, “I find that beyond its size and weight, the Apple Pencil Pro compatibility adds so much more to the iPad mini’s capabilities. It means that lots of advanced features with the Pencil are not lost even when downsizing, so if you enjoy illustrating on the go or you’re a student looking for a portable option, the iPad Mini 7 is definitely a good choice.”

What’s more, Apple will soon release its Apple Intelligence capabilities, which will be available in iPadOS 18.1. This update will provide even more opportunities to enhance your productivity while on the go.

“As a huge proponent of the 11-inch and 13-inch iPads, I was interested to see what this size had to offer, and if I found it too small for my liking. I was really surprised that it didn’t add much additional weight to my work bag at all, which made me want to take it along with me even more. Another thing I really enjoyed was how I could easily hold it with one hand comfortably, without my hand feeling tired.”

IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY WITH THE IPAD MINI

Many of us often lose valuable time commuting from one place to another. However, Rachel has discovered ways to maximise her commute, ensuring she makes the most of this time and has enough time to relax when she gets home.

“I had half an hour to spare while on a bus ride home, so I decided to try editing a video while on the way home to see if it would be feasible. I actually was able to finish the video, write my caption and schedule it all on the iPad.”

She added, “I was really impressed with how easy it was, as sometimes there are technical issues that could arise. I was glad that I was able to be productive during this time, which I would have otherwise not utilised, and I was able to fully relax when I got home without having to worry about getting more work done.”

While it may seem trivial to suggest that a small device can significantly impact our lives, using it effectively can undoubtedly enhance our productivity and improve our daily routine.

Rachel says, “As someone who juggles so many things, I love how my iPad has allowed me to stay on top of all my commitments while still allowing me to spend time with my loved ones. By allowing me to do more on the go and use pockets of time that I otherwise wouldn’t use, I feel more productive and I’m also able to use the rest of my time to do what I love.”

The iPad Mini 7 is now available online at apple.com and in-stores at all Apple stores.