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Procrastination: My Best Friend And Worst Enemy

I really need to do my work...and take a nap

Sep 24, 2018

Procrastination: My Best Friend And Worst Enemy

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Like most college students, I spend most of my time attempting to find a proper balance between work and play. I am extremely dedicated to my school work, however I also tend to get distracted easily. Last Sunday I genuinely spent six hours that I should have been doing biology work, watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Although I would rather spend my time goofing off, I have discovered a few ways to motivate myself when all I want to do is procrastinate.

Make a Plan

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Sometimes when I get overwhelmed by the amount of work I have I just avoid it and waste time on unnecessary activities. Even though I have a million things to do, rather than try to get them done I resort to procrastination. In order to combat this overwhelming feeling I pull out my planner to outline exactly when I am going to get each assignment accomplished. When I have a list and can literally see what I have to do, it makes it seem much more manageable.

Put Your Phone Away

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Phones are distracting and often more interesting than the work we need to get done. Often if I have my phone next to me I am so tempted to scroll through Instagram, FaceTime a friend or fall down a YouTube hole. If I leave my phone in my bedroom I have less distractions in front of me and can be more productive.

Get Work Done in the Library

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When I am in my room or apartment there are always a million distractions. The T.V. could be on, I could have dishes to do in the sink or my roommates could be around to hang out with. In contrast, the Library is quiet and often has fewer distractions. It is full of other people getting work done which often times helps motivate me to get work done. Additionally, having a change of scenery allows me to focus on the task at hand and not the million other things on my plate.

Procrastination is a part of life and is something most people will encounter. Often it is a lot easier to ignore our responsibilities and get occupied with other things. Trying to focus can be difficult but (unfortunately) we all must get out work done.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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I really need to do my work...and take a nap

Make a Plan

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Get Work Done in the Library

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

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