Many college students struggle with procrastination, and it has turned into a problem over time. Social media, in all of its forms, has definitely become an integral part of life for college students. They should be careful with how they spend their time, especially if they have a lot of time-oriented assignments. Fortunately, there are 5 ways to overcome the procrastination blues.
1. Break Down Large Assignments
Quite often, college students procrastinate in getting their work started because they look at their assignments and feel overwhelmed by the amount of time it will take or the effort they will have to put in.
Divide your assignment into small tasks and give yourself deadlines for fulfilling each of them. You should accomplish all tasks a few days before the entire assignment is due, so that you have enough time to review your work and make sure it is interconnected.
2. Eliminate Interruptions and Distractions
Put your smartphone away from you and stay in a quiet place where you can be focused on your tasks. If you cannot resist your mind from wandering on to social media, block these distracting applications or disable your accounts while you are working on a particularly difficult project.
3. Create a Timeline and Study Schedule
Much like you should set up a timeline for your projects and assignments, you have to create an effective study schedule. Determine your class load and set aside an achievable amount of time every week to fulfill work for each course. Don’t forget to block this time in your calendar. Making study time a part of your daily routine can aid you to be focused, disciplined, and get your work done.
4. Pick a Study Buddy
When you tell your classmates about the tasks you intend to complete, you will be more likely to follow through with your plans. Creating accountability is an easy way to stay on track. Choose a study buddy to keep each other motivated. You can help one another stick to deadlines, check up on each other’s progress and even study together. Knowing you are not alone can also make those long library hours more bearable.
5. Reward Yourself
As human beings, college students enjoy being rewarded.
You do not have to wait for your rewards to come from a college but set up your own system. If you finish a challenging task on time, reward yourself with a treat, such as a luscious piece of chocolate cake or a coffee from your favorite coffee shop. Your rewards should be scheduled and not cause you to procrastinate any further. Make sure you notice how great it feels to complete things!
In case you want to procrastinate one last time, check out this amusing TedTalk by Tim Urban:
