5:05 PM: "Hell yeah. Snagged a table with an outlet. Just need to unpack the entire contents of my backpack and get organized."
5:23 PM: "Okay, now that my backpack is clean, I'll get started. Can't do anything without music. If only I could settle on a Pandora station ... " *changes station ten times*
5:38 PM: "Goo Goo Dolls it is then. Now, I really need to get started. I have about two weeks of work to do in the next six hours. I'll start by making a list of all of the things I need to do."
5:50 PM: "I should have listed them in order of importance. Let's see ... I should really check my email before I get knee deep in homework."
6:00 PM: *signs up for philanthropy, online shops, makes a Spotify playlist* "I'm just getting the little things out of the way. After this, I'm actually going to get started. Okay. Number one on the to-do list: Odyssey article ... "
6:12 PM: *Can't think of article topic. Writers block in full force*
6:30 PM: *scratches all decent topics and writes an article about irresponsibility and procrastination*
7:43 PM: "Number two on the to-do list: Recitation homework. If you ask me that sounds a lot like something that could be saved for Tuesday. That was silly of me to put on my Sunday to-do list. Pssshhhhh."
7:45 PM: "I haven't talked to my mom in a while. I should call her. I can't think of anything more important than that right now. I should probably text my brothers too. Should I upload my new pictures to Facebook? Now is as good of a time as any, right?"
8:24 PM: "What have I been doing for three and a half hours?! I still have three more major things on my to-do list. Get focused, Hollis ... WOAH 50% off Tobi? ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?"
9:00 PM: "Oops, it's 9 o'clock now. I am the worst. I should turn my phone off." *opens textbook* "Wow, I think I need Starbucks before I can take a look at the misery that is Ag Econ." *Spends $10 and 25 minutes getting a coffee and a snack*
9:25 PM: "Okay, I think I'm actually ready to study, or I'm just ready to get something done so I can get out of here." *Studies into state of oblivion*
12:00 AM: *Walks home like a zombie* "I could have been in and out in three hours if I would stop getting distracted by the sparkly things ... "
Distractions are easy to find. I, like many other college students, am very adept in finding these distractions when I need to be the most productive. Here are some things that help me stay focused (kinda) even when the non-academic world is begging for my attention:
1. Turn your phone off.
2. Stick to your to-do list.
3. Knock out the easiest assignments first.
4. Only take study breaks when you deserve them.
5. Go to the library with a friend and have them remind you to focus when you get off track.
