For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a procrastinator. Unfortunately, one month into my last semester of college before I graduate, my procrastination is the worst that it’s ever been. Maybe it’s the senioritis that is in full force or maybe it’s the thought that this semester is going to be a breeze since I’ve completed all the challenging courses that were required for my major. Either way, this situation is bad. I’m overwhelming myself on the night before assignments and papers are due and stressing myself with high amounts of reading to complete within an hour before my classes. Even though I’m procrastinating, I never miss my deadlines. Sometimes I feel like racing against the clock helps me to get tasks done quickly, but as you can guess, they most likely are never great quality.
According to Oxfordlearning.com, there are many causes of procrastination amount students, but also among non-students. Lack of motivation, self-confidence, understanding, and organization skills are only a few of the common causes. Procrastination is known to have a negative effect on student’s performance in school with assignments and grades, which increases levels of frustration, guilt, stress, and anxiety – in some major cases, low self-esteem and depression can occur. It’s important to acknowledge what’s holding you back from getting things done and working towards to resolve it in a timely manner. A positive and optimistic mindset is key, even when you have to do something that you really do not want to do.
Procrastination is something that can be very difficult to overcome, but with the help of a few simple study ideas, it’s possible to put yourself back on track in order for you to be motivated to get work done well before it’s due.
1. Get yourself organized
Being organized seems impossible for some people, but it’s actually really simple. To start, it’s a good idea to invest in a good planner. Planners can get expensive but honestly, I always buy mine from Homegoods or TJMaxx for two reasons: they’re cheap and have adorable designs. Plus, if you know me, you are well aware that I’m obsessed with school supplies and that I’m always on the look-out for the cutest and the cheapest stationery. Once you have a planner, you will be able to keep track of assignments, exams, and any other important dates. You may also utilize a whiteboard, which can be used as a checklist. Simply write down what you need to get done and check it off once it’s complete.
2. Set goals
From personal experience, it’s a lot easier to get assignments done when you make small goals throughout the week instead of larger ones. If you set an unachievable goal, you will stress yourself out and avoid sitting down and getting it done. If you set a small, simple goal to get a tiny portion of a bigger project over the course of a few days, it’ll be easier to handle the work.
3. Find a workspace
This could be different for everyone. Some have to have complete silence in order to be able to concentrate. Others can work in an area that is filled with loud noises, such as music or noise from a crowd. It’s all about finding a space that works for you and won’t distract you from doing your work. Find a spot around campus, in your house, or at a local coffee shop that will beneficial to you.
4. Create a schedule
At the beginning of each week, it’s best to create a schedule for yourself to follow. Each year I purchase a pad of paper that has a weekly calendar, in which I can a schedule for each day of what I must get done by a specific time. I immediately get stressed if I have the mindset that I have to get an entire assignment done in one day, so I space it out over the course of a few. With this, I set a timer for each task, once it goes off, I move onto the next thing on my list. It’s important to not spend every single second of each day on focusing on your work, having time to yourself is a necessity.
5. Put away electronics
No one can completely focus on their work when there are electronics around. Today, everyone is glued to their mobile devices, it’s just the world that we live in. Lately, I’ve started turning my social media notifications off because I knew I was spending way too much of my time in the digital world. It’s helped me get more of my work done, but I was still procrastinating – badly. Now, I simply turn my phone off and I’m mad at myself that I haven’t done this sooner. You won’t be focused on the likes on your latest Instagram photo or the number of replies on your tweet. Having your undivided attention on your work is the most important and efficient thing you can do for yourself.