After years and years of school, and many more to go (thanks med school), you would think that I would have studying down by now. I am here to tell you that I don't, and I know that many other people procrastinate as well. However, my experience in college thus far has helped me to gather some crucial ways to cope with procrastination. Here are 15 ways to stay on top of your work.
1. Make a list
Honestly, to-do lists have really helped me. The only problem is that sometimes I feel so accomplished about making the list that I take a break and continue to put off my assignments.
2. Recognize your habits
For me, as soon as I open a YouTube or Netlifx tab, I know I am heading down a slippery slope. I try to schedule in my breaks during my busy days and set timers to go back to my work. I suggest figuring out how you spend your time when you're not doing your work, because it's hard to stop something if you don't even know that you're doing it.
3. Pretend that your work is due the next day
This is easier in high school, because most of the time your work is due the next day. However, in college, you most likely have more time to complete an assignment. I have found myself waiting from Monday night to Thursday night to do an entire problem set that was due on Friday. After I started telling myself that 5 questions were due each day, I started spreading out the work better.
4. Use apps
You are most likely procrastinating by using your phone, so try using an app that will remind you when to do your work. Sure, it's simple to hit "OK" and keep scrolling through your social media apps, but if you really commit to it, this can be a good way to stay on top of things. I have been using Any.do. I really love it because it organizes everything by day, and you can set times to remind yourself to complete each task on the list.
5. Set mini-deadlines for longer tasks
For research papers, make deadlines for your research, outlines, drafts, etc., and pretend you have to turn them in that day in class. This will help you stay organized and prevent the week-of-research frenzy.
6. Use a calendar or planner
7. Set designated study times in the library
I got the most work done on a Saturday when my roommate and I decided to go to the library together. We sat in a study room with snacks and coffee, and worked all day. When you are with someone else, it is easier to feel guiltier from watching videos.
8. Utilize study groups
9. Don't study in your bed
This feels very hypocritical of me to write because I am very guilty of this. I always start off the year in the library, but by mid-semester I am back doing math problems in my bed at midnight. Doing work in your bed makes it very easy to either start watching videos, or fall asleep, and I have been guilty of doing both. If you really hate the library, try doing your work in a coffee shop, outside or in an unoccupied classroom.
10. Stop over-complicating your tasks
11. Surround yourself with people who have similar goals
It's hard to get your work done when you are sitting in a common room full of people not doing work. If you make friends with people who have a study schedule, you can fall into it and pick up some of their good habits.
12. Don't try to do everything at once
13. Figure out why you don't like working
Do you hate studying? Do you hate reading? Do you hate math problems? Why? We procrastinate the tasks we dread the most. If you can figure out why you don't like doing something, you can take the right steps to overcome the dread and get your work done in a timely fashion.
14. Verbalize your deadlines to someone else
Using a friend to keep you accountable for your work can be very helpful. When I am watching Neftlix and my roommate tells me to stop and do my work, I can get it done. Most of the time, I find that it is easier to listen to someone else than to just listen to yourself.
