Procrastination
As finals period approaches, issues of time management and procrastination can plague us. When the work seems like more than we can handle, we might find a distraction to keep us occupied instead of using that extra time to get cracking. Why start that ten-page paper when I can clean the apartment instead? These distractions keep us busy, but also keep us from being proactive and effective. Do we really want to procrastinate and then be up all night working on that paper just before it’s due, even if it means we have a sparkling clean apartment?
Here are a few quick tips to help beat procrastination:
* Get a calendar and schedule in time for classes, study time, papers, homework assignments and, of course, activities and downtime. This simple act can help you stay on course with your studies but also help ensure that you make time for social activities and “me time” to just relax and do those things that you enjoy the most.
* Remember, you can do it now and get it done, or do it later and deal with the consequences. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll finish. Bite the bullet, so to speak, and just get busy. Just do it and you’ll no longer have the worry of the “how, when, and what if” hanging over your head.
* Break down big jobs into smaller, manageable parts and give yourself attainable goals. Take that ten-page paper two pages at a time. Think of your task as a personal pizza—you wouldn’t eat the whole thing at once, you’d take it one slice at a time, completing sections until it is done!
* It’s usually harder to get started than to sustain momentum. Your motivation will usually follow once you start the task. Sometimes a self reward or punishment plan can help get you going. “If I start now and finish this part, I can then go later.” Sometimes a dangling carrot is all we really need to help get us going!
* Eliminate all outside distractions (turn off the phone and IM, close your door or go somewhere quiet) and do the best you can with the material you have. The idea here is to focus, to fully engage with the task at hand, minimizing all other distractions. When there is nothing else to distract you from the work, it becomes that much easier to begin.
* Once you begin, allow yourself small breaks to clear your mind, but then get right back to the task at hand. Maintain your focus so that you meet your goal be it completing the assignment all at once or just getting one or two sections done.
Good luck!