Procrastination

Hey guys, I know it has been a while since I last posted, and for that I am sorry. School has been crazy and I have felt like I have been having small anxiety attacks each time I think about school, tests, homework, everything. And weekends have not been helpful. Although they have given me some MUCH needed relaxation, they have had me doing my homework on 8:00 on Sunday night because I don't have any other time. That is not relaxing in the least. Now that our second quarter of school is underway and I no longer have to worry about make up work or that pop quiz the teacher gave us because she needed one more grade in the book, my homework load has considerably lightened, and I am finally finding time to write this post. 

Procrastination, a term we all should be familiar with. It is defined as the action of delaying or postponing something. I will not be the first to admit that I procrastinate, but I deny it. My mom will say "Stop procrastinating! Go do you'r homework!" and most of the time I will respond "I am not procrastinating, I have hardly any homework!" then an hour later, at 6:00, I will start the homework and work for four hours, realizing I have a ton. I feel like I overestimate how fast I can work, when truthfully I am an absolute perfectionist and it takes me two times as long to do an assignment as many of my peers. This is not a bad quality (being a perfectionist), but I really need to cut the "putting things off," stuff out of my routine. Here are my best tips for cutting the PROCRASTINATION habit:

1.  Write it down
I would not have the grades I currently have without my agenda. Every aspect of my school life is planned out and scheduled to a T. I live out of my Lilly agenda. Soon you will be  reading a HOW TO ORGANIZE YOU'R AGENDA post, and you can get all the details there. If I do not write everything down, it will not get done. I have a bad short-term memory (Wait, what did I have for breakfast?), and so writing assignments, homework, and dates down is a must. I simply will not remember! I write everything down in my agenda, and then, when I start my homework, I write it down on a lined sticky note and on my phone and computer reminder apps. I organize them by Whats Due Tomorrow, Whats Due The Next Day, and then Whats Due Friday (or any other day that I have something specific due). That way I can work through them in order, and do stuff in advance if I have time (and if my brain is not completely out of order yet). It feels so good to cross something off of you'r to-do list, and this way I can cross it off four times. This additionally makes sure I do not forget anything. Go ahead and call me OCD, I don't care.


2. Do it now
I really think that it helps when you do an assignment first thing. My school is on an A-day B-day schedule, so I try to do my A-day homework the night I get it instead of the next night, right before it is due. This helps me cut down on procrastinating, and this helps me have more free time in the end.  Do all assignments when you get them, or at least don't put them off until the bus ride to school. You'r quality of work will be much better, and it won't stress you out as much.


3. Set Incentives
If you reward yourself, things will come easier. You just can't sit down and do nonstop work for five hours, like I sometimes try. You need to set periodical rewards for yourself. Some examples that I use are, watch one music video for 45 minutes of work, 5 minute Pinterest break for 25 minutes of work, write half of a blog post or plan future ones for 10 minutes for 30 minutes of work, an so on. I highly advise you to not reward yourself with food, this can lead to you taking extra breaks because the food is right there and no one is eating it, or eating when you are not hungry. I also like to reward myself for not procrastinating. If I was good, and didn't wait to the last minute much that week (or however many weeks), I will treat myself to that phone case or necklace I have been eyeing, or just a nice, long bubble bath. I do not always have set rewards, but many people, myself included, work better with them.


4. Have A Study Buddy
A lot of us have a friend in our same situation, procrastination. It helps me to have a friend text me and say "FINISH YOUR MATH HOMEWORK!!" or "GO READ YOUR NOVEL FOR LANGUAGE ARTS!!" You can also help by being a buddy for someone else. I like to have someone in my classes do this because they know what I need to get done, but anyone could work. 



5. Work Un-Plugged
Unless I am using my laptop to work on something, I put my laptop and phone in another room while I am working, and only retrieve them when I am finished, or I am taking a "reward." This prevents youtube binges, scrolling through blogs endlessly, and Instagram/Pinterest marathons. I do listen to the radio though (usually a country station... don't hate) because it helps me to work.


6.Work in a brightly lit room
I always turn all of my lights and my fans on to work in whatever room I am in. If the room is dark or dim, it makes me want to sleep and I get sloppy and lazy with my work. Whereas, if every light is on, I am more likely to be energized, work faster, and neater.


7. Work in a clean area
I like to work in a clean area because it does not remind me of the million other things I have to do. If my room is a mess, I will work in my dining room. If I end up working in my disaster zone of a room, I can only concentrate on the mess I have yet to clean up. If I work in a clean space, I can fully concentrate on the task at hand.


8. Be comfortable, but not overly
I like to be comfortable when I am working, but concentrating in PJs or sweatpants? Not gon' happen! If I am too comfortable I drowse off and don't get stuff done, leaving it for later.


A lot of these have been general study tips, but they can also be helpful in anti-procrastination. I really hope these help, and if you have any others, please do not hesitate to share! 


God Bless,


Maggie