Â
The time has come once again to really start thinking about how the heck we are going to tackle finals this semester. We all somehow find ourselves scrambling up until the very last second to finish everything we are busy doing: starting that dreaded book report, editing our resumes to apply for upcoming summer jobs, and of course fitting in projects for a club or something we are a big part of on campus. Whatever is on the to-do list (if we ever got around to making one) our priorities sometimes seem to get jumbled up and the result is that we either miss something important, or are stressing for a lot longer than we could have been. We are all in the same boat; it’s tough balancing so much, from being involved on campus, as well as doing well in class, and getting sidetracked seems all too easy. Yet, it is important to keep in mind what really matters in the long run. We all have our moments of pure procrastination but as long as we can bounce back and recognize what really has to get done, we can lead ourselves down a road of relaxation and worriless satisfaction.
Here are the BEST ways we freak ourselves out, only leading to more stress in the end:
1. Best friend suddenly texted you saying she’s up for a mall trip? So in! You’ve been dying to check out Urban Outfitters’ new dresses anyway… what’s a few hours? (or more, how many chances do you get to finally go out to dinner and walk around all over downtown?!)
2. Facebook stalking the latest updates on the Pitt Crushes page – hey, you never know who you could find on there. I swear someone’s going to find their soul mate one day.
3. Tweeting your life away – these people need to know what you’re up to! Even though you just exclaimed every miniscule thought on your mind in full detail, I’m sure they’re dying to hear more.
4. “Studying” with a group of your closest friends. This one works like a charm – catching up on the latest gossip and whatever is new in your lives will totally make you want to pick up that book that’s been collecting dust in your lap. You will get to the point of having so much fun that you’ll roll off your chair and your assignment will end up right where you mentally put it: in the garbage.
If we find a way to set our desires aside, we’ll be able to have much more free time to think about more pleasant things, like what our summer plans will be, or when the next time you can really spend quality time with people you care about will be. Having something to look forward to is a huge reward for getting done what needs to be finished. Try these tricks to getting that awesome opportunity and beating the procrastination tendency.
1. Find a calm, quiet atmosphere where everyone around you is doing the same thing: studying their butts off. That way, people won’t get the chance to distract you, and you can just focus your attention on one thing and one thing only. Scope out the best study areas on campus ASAP so you know right where you’re headed when you venture out for an all-day study sesh.
2. Plan ahead using the calendar on your phone or with an agenda. Carry it around with you everywhere, so when something comes up, you can make a decision without clashing free time and study time. It’s important to write down when everything is due, and also make a schedule for yourself during finals week to map out which times you’ll be going over notes or which times you can spare for some fun.
3. Exam in a week and a half? Start making flash cards or flipping through notes now. I know it seems like that test is in years but when the time comes, you won’t regret it. Information sticks with you longer if you study over a longer period of time rather than cramming it all in one night. You will know the material better if you begin studying in advance, so that when you get that test sitting in front of you, the questions will seem like you wrote them yourself.
4. Wake up early for a fresh start. After a good night’s sleep, set your alarm to get up a little bit earlier so that you can begin your work with a well-charged brain after a nice rest all night. You’ll feel much more accomplished throughout the day knowing you got a head start instead of sleeping in until 2pm and wasting what could have been a productive day.
5. Don’t forget to reward yourself after a lot of hard work! Paint your nails your favorite new pattern you found on Pinterest, or have that snack you’ve been craving all week. If you give yourself a little motivation your work will pay off!
Photo Credit:
Â