The weeks of comfort during winter break makes the beginning of the second semester so much more difficult. After days of endless Netflix binging, sleeping in until noon, and eating everything in sight, it’s rough to transition back into the school mindset. Procrastination can become even more prevalent when you have four readings, two essays, and a test to study for, but all you really want to do is crawl into a bed to create your own personal cocoon. With this in mind, here are some tips to break the habit of procrastination in order to put your best foot forward for the start of the semester.

1. Get a Planner

Not just any planner, get a planner that you are totally in love with. My planner has inspirational quotes and stickers that always make me smile. Choose a planner that you would actually use, maybe one that has a cover with your favorite artwork, or your favorite movie plastered on the front. Once you find the planner that you love, use it! Write everything down, whether it be an essay due three weeks from now, or a club meeting your considering attending. Using a planner is such an easy and important way to add a semblance of organization into your life.

2. Set Goals

Sure, these goals can be big goals, like getting an internship or deciding on your ideal g.p.a. to aim towards, but setting day-to-day goals can be super important as well. Maybe your goal is to get half of your reading done before dinner, or finish all of your math homework within an hour. Setting reasonable goals for yourself helps you pinpoint a focus when it feels like you’ll never be able to make a dent in your to-do list.

3. Reward Yourself!

Goals are important, but they’re so much more effective when you reward yourself for achieving your aspirations! Whether it be a reward in the form of a break from work to watch Netflix, ordering your favorite take out for dinner, or just taking a quick nap, find a reward system that works for you, so that your motivation for tackling whatever obstacle your facing can increase.

4. Take a Break

Get up, stretch, drink some water, go for a walk. Anything that gets you away from being hunched over your computer screen is good. Your breaks don’t have to be long, but try to take a break fairly regularly. Especially when cramming for a test, or pulling an all nighter to write a research paper, you’ll be much more productive with a few mental breaks scattered throughout your work.

5. Leave Your Room

I feel that I’m much more productive when I am not studying in private.When I go to the library, I find it much harder to get distracted by talking to other people for fear that I will distract them. Also, it’s good to separate your living space and work space, for your own mental health, and for your sleep schedule.

Everyone’s work habits differ, but it’s important to ensure that you don’t get swept up in a wave of procrastination. School can be difficult, but by finding time management techniques that work for you, it can become just a little bit easier.