Procrastination is a demon in every college student’s journey, and the best thing to do is to learn how to prevent it before it becomes a real problem.
With that in mind, here are five ways to help you fight the scourge of procrastination and the temptation to put things off.
Get organized
Nobody thrives in disarray—it takes a lot of effort to be organized. But once you achieve it, things will go much smoother. Buy yourself a planner or a calendar. This makes it easier to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
Make a schedule
Create a schedule to complete your tasks. This could be a study schedule to prepare for an upcoming exam. Breaking a task into smaller pieces over time makes it easier to get things done.
Set a deadline
Many people say they’ll eventually get to something, but in reality, “eventually” never arrives. It is vital to set a deadline for when you want a task to be completed. If you have an assignment due, plan to finish it a day or two before the deadline. Even if something unanticipated happens, you’ll still have extra time to finish it.
Remove distractions
It is important to remove all distractions before you start doing your homework, so you don’t have your attention pulled away in the middle of a task. If you tend to spend a lot of time on social media when you are supposed to be studying, turn your phone completely off. Distractions can also come from your siblings or roommates. It may also be a good idea to study in a different environment, such as the library or coffee shop where you can work in peace.
Take breaks
Although it is necessary to get things done, it is important to take breaks from schoolwork every now and then. Listen to music, take a walk, get a snack or coffee—anything that helps you relax. Taking breaks will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed when you have a lot to get done.
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