It's about that time of year. Projects, exams, and tedious assignments have accumulated into a ginormous rock pile in my mind, and I feel like I'm being buried alive. During my classes and lectures, I think about everything I've got to do, and I tell myself that when I get out of class, I'm going to get everything done. I feel so motivated. It's so awesome! After class, however, when I get back to my dorm and really think about all that I have to do, my motivation tanks. I determine what I need to do first, set it out, and then I stare at it. I can't bring myself to physically begin the work. Then, I see my phone. Ooh, Facebook. Ooh, I haven't checked Twitter in forever. That is when a second of distraction turns into 10 minutes of procrastination and wasted time. I could have already started. So, to get you through this stretch of the school year, here are a few tips to help with overcoming procrastination.
1. Don't cave into social media.
It's easy to do. Notifications constantly go off, and naturally we want to know what's going on. However, social media can be a huge distraction especially if we plan to be on it for only a minute, but it turns into 10. To avoid the temptation to be on it when you have things you need to do, try putting your phone somewhere where you need to actually work to get to it. Put it in a zipped pocket in your backpack or a closed drawer. Place some distance between you and your phone so that if you do have the urge to resort to social media, you have a few more seconds to talk yourself out of it and focus on the work at hand.
2. Remove distractions.
This one is tough. It's a habit. I know. I have a tendency to analyze my hair and even fingernails when I am not thinking, so my focus is shifted from the work I need to do to what my hair looks like or if my nails need filed or something right then and there. If this sounds like you too, minimize the habits as best as you can. Put your hair up so you can't mess with it as much, or take care of the distractions before you even set up to work. Then your mind can focus better on your work instead of the physical you.
3. Don't put things off.
Sometimes I find myself asking, "It's not due tomorrow, so I don't have to do it today, right?" Wrong. Waiting is one of the worst things to do if you don't have a plan. If you know you can do the work the day before, that's great! However, if you don't have a plan, you might create a lot of stress for yourself. To avoid putting things off, create a list of the things you are going to have done on which days or times. This avoids saying, "I can do it later." If you plan what you are going to do and when, you could be more likely to stay on top of the things you need to do.
4. Pump yourself up.
It's not silly to need some motivation. I usually need to do something before each project I start because I need to go in with the mentality that I can do it; I know I can, but my brain likes to tell me that I need a nap first or that I'm not ready to start yet. If this is you, listen to a favorite song and sing it. Maybe dance too! If you interact with the song other than listening to it, you engage more so your brain can't tell you what you have to do because you're thinking about the song. Then, when the song is done, you can jump into the project with a little more spirit and heart than when you first began.
5. Take breaks.
When you are working on something, it is important to rest a little. Between two different assignments, recharge. Let your brain transition into the next project without being forced to switch gears immediately. After an hour of working on something, take a 10-minute break. Allow yourself to relax so you don't burn out.
When procrastination hits, remind yourself that you've got this. You can do it. You can conquer the tasks given to you, and you can do them well. Stay focused, and stay strong.
