Procrastination is a real problem for many students. You can end the cycle, and this article aims to aid you on your journey to end the excuses.
The first step to tackling the monster that is procrastination is to break down your assignment using a method referred to as ‘chunking.’ Set a goal to work on an assignment for just 15 minutes. It is likely that you will gain traction in those 15 minutes and will work on your assignment for even longer. If not, at least you have started your assignment. Simply starting can be the hardest part, but if you break it into smaller bits throughout your given time, any task will be less daunting. Keep doing at least 15 minutes of work each day, and you will stay on task, and on time!
A good way to work on personal discipline is to time yourself and stick by your timetable. If you give yourself 3 hours to work on an assignment, stop once those three hours are up. Even if you did not finish, give yourself a break instead of working until you burn out. Plan to finish the next day and take time to take care of yourself. You must be strict with yourself, so you can have time for fun later!
In addition to limiting your work hours per day, you need to start setting early personal deadlines. Setting early personal deadlines pressures you to start working early, and it also gives you a safety window should something go wrong: the printer breaks in the library, your computer suddenly shuts off and deletes half of your work, assignment files are corrupted, the possibilities are endless. How do you pressure yourself to follow through on these personal deadlines? You have someone outside of yourself hold you accountable. If your assignment involves writing, you can schedule an appointment with the Writing Center, now putting pressure on you to have at least a full rough draft due. Make connections with someone in your class and become study buddies. Agree on a date to work together on your assignments, and you can also show each other your current progress. Make sure you find someone who takes the deadline serious and will hold you accountable.
When you are working, you need to focus on work; in the same vein, when you are taking personal time, you need to actually take time for your health. If you have a set amount of personal time, it will help you stay focused when working, because you know a break is on its way. A good start to finding a healthy work flow is using the Pomodoro Technique. This is a system that relies on 25-30 minute intense focusing sessions, followed by short breaks. Studies have shown that the human brain can only take information in for around 45 minutes straight before becoming ineffective. That being said, you know your personal limits. Find a work-break schedule that works for you, not against you. And for the love of everything, try you hardest to get that full eight hours of sleep each night. If you don’t, you are costing yourself productivity in the end. You still need to prioritize your time while awake, and there is a simple way of doing so.
There is a chart named the Eisenhower Matrix, and its goal is to help you decide what your priorities are. You organize your to-do list into four sections, as seen below:
Finally, never be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be emailing a professor or asking a friend for company, communication will get you the help you need. Use this article to help you, but not try to do everything all on your own.
Remember: Prioritize, break down assignments, know your limits. Take care of your health and then you can take care of your grades. If you have a plan and carry it out, you will avoid procrastination!