Chances are, you’re probably reading this instead of doing whatever work you are supposed to be doing. And before you click away, thinking “Witch, how do you read minds?!”, I have something to share with you. Whatever you think you’re gaining by putting off work until the last minute, you’re not. Locking in is an art, just call me Picasso.
Okay, maybe don’t do that. I prefer Monet, anyway.
Regardless, procrastination is an epidemic; one that has struck college students nationwide. You probably got infected even earlier in your academic career. The issue is, it isn’t doing anyone any good. Besides a momentary release from labor, there is no reward for procrastinating. And that brief respite only comes back to haunt you, usually late at night when the deadline is fast approaching. As I said before, locking in is an art. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not accessible.
When approaching a task, it is important not to set it up on a pedestal. Often, the scariest things to do are the ones that turn out not to be that big a deal. Usually, when we can’t see what we need to do, we end up visualizing it as this great beast that is perched and ready to eat us whole. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
So bring that monster down to size!
List out all the things that you need to do. They don’t have to be school-related; they can be home tasks, self-care, or housework that needs to get done. Whatever it is, putting a pen to some paper (or thumbs to a keyboard) tends to do the trick.
Once you have your to-do list, congratulations! You have nearly conquered your beast.
Next, pick out an order of events you’d like to get done. It can be what is due soonest, what is the most intimidating and you need to get out of the way, or what is most interesting and you want to get to it quickly. This is a more personal approach, so go with your heart.
Wham bam. You’ve got your targets, and you have your plan of attack. Time to set up the war room…or the art studio. Depends on how aggressive you need this message to be.
Find the place where you can focus the best. This is different for everybody! Some people I know can only work at their desk in their room; otherwise, they get distracted. Personally, my bed is the biggest distraction of them all. Colleges are genuine cornucopias of study spots. Try a library, an empty classroom, a study lounge, a park, or maybe the dining hall. The important thing is to pick a place that you know you won’t get distracted in, no matter how tempting. Remember, this is for you!
Once you’re in your place, you are nearly ready to start. I know, I know. I’ve read all this, and she hasn’t even told me how to lock in! Well, the set-up is half the battle. Any good artist can’t create without their foundations.
Now, find your inner peace. Rally. If you need silence, get some noise-cancelling headphones. If you need background, go for something without lyrics. I’m fairly certain that classical music will end up on my Spotify Wrapped this year, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
Make sure your physical needs are met. I’m talking about food, water, comfort, and safety. Food is not a reward for work. You deserve to eat. Fill up your water bottle and have it nearby. Visit the bathroom one last time. It’s time for battle.
Consult your list. This is your lifeline. Don’t stray, no matter how much you want to. Procrastination has a sneaky way of worming itself into your brain. Reminder: this is for you. For your GPA. For your life.
For the love of all that is good and holy, put your phone away. Blah, blah, you need it for class, okay! Turn on Do Not Disturb and only use it when necessary. Put it uncomfortably out of reach so you have to get up to grab it. Sometimes, it really is that damn phone.
Now, I am not your teacher. I am not even going to pretend to know how to do your chemistry pre-labs or business models. That’s on you, soldier. I hope your notes are sufficient. What I can do is safely say that if you made it this far, you are prepared to lock in!
Once you’ve done what you need to do, treat yourself. Good job, your GPA (and your brain) will thank you.
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