Procrastination

Procrastination. An unpleasant word. Something we don’t want to admit we do, yet it sneaks in and takes over when we don’t notice it. Procrastination is defined on Dictionary.com as, “the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.”

When the pressure builds, procrastination takes over even stronger until the deadline is imminent and panic takes over. Work is then rushed and that which is produced is nowhere near the level of  what we are capable. Imagine what it might have been had we focused and did the work when we should have. Now, I am not, in any way, judging you if procrastination is something that you struggle with. I have done my fair share of it, and I still fall prey to it even now. It is a easy thing to fall snare to. I want to give you a few tools to help with procrastination.

• Plan Ahead

Procrastination usually comes into play when I am overwhelmed. When there is so much work in front of me that I have no idea where to start and the size of it all just overwhelms me. I found that one thing that really helped me was planning ahead. Plan a few hours every day for homework or studying. Break the time up based on the volume of homework you have for each subject and then stick to it as best you can. If you don’t finish everything you planned for that day it is ok, just move it to the next day. Plan accordingly. I found this helped and I find myself the night before an assignment is due, or the night before a test, and my work is either already done or it is small enough amount that it is manageable and I can be relaxed. Now I know that there is times when a large amount of homework is assigned, but still plan it out and you will achieve it.

    2)   Find a setting that works for you

Once you have your time planned out, find a place that works for you to do your work. It could be your room, the library, even somewhere where there is a lot of people. Everyone is different and I’m not going to say that there is only one place you should study. Find what is right for you and make it part of your routine. You will find that just being in that designated environment will bring your mind to a place of thinking about doing work and studying and it will come easier to you.

   3) Stick to it

Finally, once you have steps 1 and 2 down, it is time for the follow through. Follow your plan, get in your environment, and do the work. You will find that a sense of accomplishment will come over you, and you will want to keep doing your work.

This may seem like a lot of planning and it might be intimidating to get into a new routine to help boost your accomplishments, but it is worth it. Remember, the resources you have and utilize them to help you achieve your goals. There will be days that you don’t accomplish what you wanted to or you just don’t feel like doing the work. But just push harder the next day. You can do it, I know you can. As always remember to stay awesome, and keep keeping it real.

About the Author:

Lee M. 
Class of 2017 | Transfer 
Major: Communication and English 
Blog Theme: Struggling on the Pathway to Success
 - Thoughts of C Average Student

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