It’s so easy to procrastinate. In fact, I think I remember some online shopping I had to do… maybe I’ll do that now.
Okay, I’m back. Where was I? Procrastination! It moves fast, one minute you’re in the midst of the best dang paper you’ve ever written, flying through paragraph after paragraph, and the next you’re on your phone watching Snapchat stories and wondering where your invite to the gathering is.
It’s hard to fight procrastination; it’s a temptation that never seems to go away. And we’ve all got to fight it in our pursuit of success. Who wants to turn in a paper late with a 20 point penalty? Or be up all night behind a calculator? Scheduling is a very effective tool to order your academics and extracurricular activities, but only if you actually follow your schedule. And often times, sleeping through an hour that was allotted for “studying” or “working” on your calendar is something that happens more than any of us would care to admit.
There is no one strategy to conquer procrastination. At the end of the day, it’s all willpower. Though, there are a few things you can do to help level the playing field. The first thing is to turn off your phone. It’s so easy to pick up your phone and check whatever social media you’ve got. Not only that, but the constant ringing and vibrating literally calls your attention away from your task at hand. Additionally, try to work in a quiet space. The study rooms on your hall are perfect to minimize outside distraction from other people. Lastly, set small goals for yourself. Don’t try to knock everything out, one after the other, if that’s not your style. It’s okay to take breaks. So, set small, attainable goals and after you reach one, reward yourself with a small break and then get back to work!
Finals are almost upon us; this is the homestretch. Keep pushing!