[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n case the circulation of that gif of Shia LaBeouf shouting “JUST DO IT” hasn’t been sufficient in sparking your motivation, here are a few practices that just might grant you the push you need in order to get your sh*t done.
- Make a list. As a Type-B person whose preferred method of working tends to involve very little organization, I can understand that this suggestion may seem like a pretty daunting task in and of itself. But according to Gretchen Rubin, a bestselling author who spews wisdom on how to get your life together, it is a necessary first step in accomplishing anything. When what you need to achieve has been reduced down to a bullet point on a piece of paper, it appears to be much more manageable. And whether your list outlines an essay or spells out your daily chores, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction you’ll gain as you get to cross off each stage of your efforts.
- Work with friends. Disclaimer: this technique is not beneficial for everyone. However, if you’re an extrovert, have friends in your class, or simply need an accountability partner, this method is definitely worth a shot. Studies show that procrastination plagues around 90% of the student population, meaning that you are most certainly not alone in your struggles. Often times, all you need is encouragement from a classmate to get you moving. Additionally, some tasks may be divisible (i.e. you reading off definitions while your friend creates flash cards for them), further lightening your work load.
- Give yourself incentives/hold yourself accountable. These two tips go hand-in-hand and are most easily explained with examples. Incentives might include: a ten-minute break after every half hour of studying, engaging briefly in an activity you enjoy after each task that gets checked off your itinerary, and/or treating yourself to a special dinner or a day of relaxation after finally completing a project. Conversely, you need to set consequences for yourself should you not finish what you had planned. While this may sound a bit harsh, this method tends to motivate you just as much as any positive incentive would (if not more), since consequences are enacted almost immediately. Small punishments for unfinished work – in addition to the subsequent penalties you’ll suffer simply due to your procrastination – may involve granting yourself one less Netflix episode or blocking social media sites on your computer for an hour. Just make sure to follow through with the rules you’ve set for yourself.
- Consider the bigger picture. It may seem like an obvious proposal, but take some time to think about what will happen if you don’t manage your time. In school, this often means sloppy writing, simple mistakes, a late grade, and/or added stress; and that last effect of procrastination isn’t simply limited to educational endeavors. According to an article published by the Mayo Clinic, time management is a vital factor when it comes to preventing large-scale amounts of stress that can prompt even more serious medical issues. Is delaying the start of that essay worth being vexed by the inevitable feeling that you could have done better? Is it worth potentially docking your GPA? Is it worth the toll it will eventually take on your health should this behavior continue? These may sound like extreme consequences, but science and personal experiences back them up. In the end, procrastination truly isn’t worth it.
- Ask yourself “why not?”. And don’t answer with flimsy excuses. Twitter will still be there after you’ve memorized every country in Europe. Even if your justification for procrastination is partially valid, you should still make an attempt to do what you can instead of lounging around until you feel like completing everything in one sitting. Most times, getting started is the hardest part. If noon isn’t your brain’s optimum time for critical thinking, focus on just getting all your thoughts onto paper or jotting down that list mentioned in #1. If you don’t have enough time available to dedicate to a full-blown study session, take a minute to scroll through your notes in order to keep the material fresh in your mind. Seemingly small actions like this accomplish more than you’d expect.
With all of the above in mind, remember that not all procrastination is inherently harmful. If you truly thrive off of an element of pressure and haven’t missed any deadlines because of your last-minute-loving mentality, then you probably don’t need to change a thing. And if five tips weren’t quite enough to spur you to start writing that paper that’s due at the end of the week, here’s a bonus suggestion, on me:
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