Procrastination. We all hate it, and yet we all do it. As a college student, life can sometimes feel like you’re constantly putting off assignments and tasks until the last minute. This is what leads to those painfully late hours catching up in the library and excruciating all-nighters in the dorm. It’s easy after a long day of classes, clubs, jobs, and internships to just put the computer away until tomorrow, until suddenly it’s the day before a big paper is due and you’ve only written the introduction. When we do things with as little time as possible, it’s much harder to do our very best work. Personally, this was my biggest struggle for much of my academic career. Because of how bad my procrastination problem was getting, I knew I needed a change. Unfortunately, most of the advice online for avoiding procrastination are things like, “adopt a positive mindset” or “work on time management.” While these are helpful tips, they are extremely broad and difficult to commit to. This is why I decided to start figuring out some of my own unique ways to stop procrastinating. Although it’s an ongoing battle for us all, here are some methods that I have found successful and encourage you to try!
1. Make a task-specific playlist
If you know me, you know I have a playlist for every occasion. I love compiling music for specific trips, seasons, and moods. Upon completing one of these playlists for a travel day I had been dreading, I realized my dread was turning into excitement. Since then, I’ve realized that making a playlist to listen to while I complete a task makes it much more enticing. This method works even better if you curate the songs to match the activity. For example, when I needed to write my midterm paper for my Feminisms and the Arts class, I put together a playlist of my favorite songs by women throughout history. It can also helpful to make the track list the length of time you plan on working. If you need to lock in for an hour, make the playlist an hour long and push through the entire thing!
2. combine to-dos
One of the easiest ways to procrastinate is to do a million other chores instead of the one that really needs to be completed. Because of this, my favorite method to beat procrastination is to simply combine a menial, everyday task with something I’ve been avoiding. For example, if there’s a video you need to watch for class, and you’re trying to put it off by going to the gym, get on the treadmill with the video pulled up. Personally, I like to bring my computer with me to do laundry, so I can force myself to do work for the entire wash and dry cycle. If you like to cook, choose a dish that has to be in the oven for while, then accomplish your task while you’re waiting. This way, you’re easily killing two birds with one stone. I find that starting with the routine task and then working through it tricks my brain into being productive.
3. hide the phone
Whenever there is something I need to complete, my phone becomes my worst enemy. I’ll innocently pick it up to look at the TikTok a friend sent, and the next thing I know, I’ve been scrolling for an hour. To combat this, I have found it helpful to put my phone in an incredibly inconvenient place, so that I won’t be tempted to check it. It helps to leave it in my dorm and go to study in a common room, or even just putting it on a shelf far away from my desk. In desperate times, you may even find it beneficial to give the phone to a trustworthy friend or roommate, and tell them you are not allowed to have it back until you’ve earned it. It may seem silly, but once the urge to keep checking the phone goes away, it is much easier to focus.
4. Set your own due dates
If you are a student, it’s likely you’ve heard the phrase, “if it’s not the due date, it’s not the do date.” Despite the clever play on words, this concept has never been helpful. I’ve found that a good way to fight this mindset is to create my own schedule. When something is assigned, immediately put the official due date on your calendar. Then, break the task down into small pieces and assign yourself checkpoints. For example, if you need to give a speech in class, choose a day the outline must be completed by. Then, pick a due date for the PowerPoint. Finally, select a time you must be memorized by. Have all of these marked on your calendar as though that section of the assignment is really due that day. By having your own due dates separate from the one set by a professor, you can make the task more manageable.
5. create a reward system
Though it may seem like an obvious one, rewarding yourself for good work is a great way to stay motivated. However, this particular tactic does require a fair amount of self-discipline, as it can be tempting to keep the reward regardless of whether or not your task was completed. If you do feel up to the challenge, here are some easy ideas.
On a day-to-day basis, plan out little incentives that will motivate you. These can be anything from a special coffee you love to an extra episode of TV before bed. I also like to reserve a larger reward for the weekend if I complete a certain number of assignments throughout the week. Some favorites of mine are going to the movies, having a self-care day, or shopping with friends. These incentives can help you feel like you are working towards something special, even if it’s just something small that excites you.
6. parallel play
“Parallel play” usually refers to small children playing with similar toys alongside one another, but not actually together. However, this practice is not solely beneficial for toddlers. Everyone procrastinates, so chances are, finding a friend to try out this method with won’t be difficult. Get together with one or more people in a distraction-free area and complete your work together! Hold one another accountable, and if someone gets off task, be there to get them back on target. It can even be helpful to have check-ins every hour or so where everyone can recap what they’ve accomplished, and the group can have a short break to chat. By creating this studious environment, you will likely find it easier to focus, because that is what everyone else will be doing.
7. SEPARATE work and relax zones
It’s been proven time and time again that it is extremely difficult for your brain to focus in places it associates with sleep or relaxation, such as a bed or a couch. Staying motivated can become an impossible feat when you have your own brain working against you. For this reason, it is necessary to distinguish places that are for work, and places that are for rest and relaxation. If you are like me and enjoy the comfort of studying at home, try working exclusively at a desk or a table. If you prefer to get out, this trick works with public spaces as well. I find it helpful to have a specific spot in the library for reading or group projects with friends, and a separate spot for more immediate or serious work that requires no distractions.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to procrastination is to take everything one step at a time and to not be too hard on yourself. Life is a constant juggling act, and it’s not always easy to keep everything up in the air. Everyone gets stressed and pushes things off from time to time, but it can become a serious problem when everyday feels like the last minute for one thing or another. So next time you find yourself procrastinating, stop, take a breath, and give one of these tips a try!