10 Tips To Stop Procrastination
by Audrey Ford
Procrastination. It is a term that everyone throws around, and as assignments begin to pile up during the school year, it seems inevitable. However, with some strategies, it becomes easier to tackle and minimize. Utilize these ten tips and your school year is sure to be more successful!
If you need a refresh on what procrastination is, here is the definition below:
procrastinate
verb (used with object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.
to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.
Now, here are the 10 tips to help minimize procrastination. Some of these are simple, and some of these have been said before, but all of them are helpful!
If you need a refresh on what procrastination is, here is the definition below:
procrastinate
verb (used with object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.
to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.
Now, here are the 10 tips to help minimize procrastination. Some of these are simple, and some of these have been said before, but all of them are helpful!
- Recognize that you are procrastinating.
The first step towards fixing procrastination is by recognizing that you are doing it. Chances are, if you clicked on this article, you have come to the conclusion that you are procrastinating, so you have already utilized this tip! - Remove distractions.
Distractions can be almost anything, but in the age of technology, it usually has something to do with your phone. Power it off or silence it, and put it in another room so you are not tempted by it. You could also give it to a family member so that you don’t have to worry about it whatsoever. - Have a designated workspace.
This is also a part of the previous tip. If you usually work on your bed, for example, you may feel less motivated because you usually associate your bed with sleeping. Instead, sit at a desk or a table, because it helps to increase productivity. In addition, try to sit somewhere quiet since noise is distracting for most people. Note: If neither of these things are possible, there are a few other options such as investing in noise cancelling headphones or using a book as a lap desk on your bed. Either way, try to be somewhere where you can focus completely on your assignments. - Focus on one thing and one thing only.
Multitasking actually decreases productivity instead of increasing it. Instead of trying to work on math while watching your favorite TV show, focus 100% on the math so that you can enjoy the TV show afterward. This will also take less time, so you will have more time to enjoy your activities to their fullest extent later. - Just start working.
Instead of making excuses and pushing things to the last minute, just start working. If you work for a short amount of time, even 5 minutes, chances are you will get into the swing of things and want to keep working since you are on a roll. - Take breaks.
Breaks are crucial to increasing your productivity. They can help keep you motivated because you are able to regroup. If you find yourself taking too many breaks, try a system called the Pomodoro Method. Here is an article explaining what it is and a timer to help you stay on track. - Use a planner/to-do list.
Even though you may remember all of your assignments on your own, using a planner/to-do list can help achieve productivity. All of your assignments stay in one place, and you can spend more time working on studying instead of thinking about whether you have a quiz on Tuesday or not. It also feels great to cross things off a to-do list! - Break things down into smaller deadlines.
If you have a large project that is due in a few weeks, try not to think of it as a large project. Instead, break it down into smaller tasks, such as “pick a topic”, “research”, “organize facts”, “put in slideshow”, etc. This makes a larger task seem more manageable, which causes you to be more productive and want to get more done. - Use up free time during the school day.
Instead of scrolling on your phone when a teacher finishes class early, work on something else during that time. Whether that be an unfinished worksheet or something that is due next week, get a head start on work so you have less to do at home. This way, school is kept as designated work time and your free time after school can be just for relaxing and unwinding from a busy day. Note: If you want to take it to the next level, you can sign up to go to the library during your lunch period with this link. - Use your school account instead of a personal account.
While this may seem impractical and a drag because everything is being monitored, working strictly on your school account can work to your advantage. Most sites that you could get distracted on, like social media, are blocked, which keeps you focused and on task. In addition, all of the resources that you will need to do your homework are available to you in one place.