Ava Mizrahi, NHS Member, AP Student
My name is Ava Mizrahi and I am an NHS member and AP junior. In the past, I have waited until 11:30 PM to finish an assignment due at 11:59 PM. I was not even doing anything of importance, instead, I was just doing everything but the one assignment. But now, using the tips I am going to share with you, I get my work done with plenty of time to spare.
Set up a study space
The most important thing to do to relieve your procrastination is set up a study space. As comfortable as it is, doing work in bed is the easiest way to procrastinate. It is beneficial to sit at a desk, but maybe not in your room. Sometimes, we need a change of environment. Maybe move outside or in a different room to make it easier to focus and stay on task. It is important to have enough natural and bulb light while working, so sit near a window or lamp if you can.
Put your phone in another room
Staying on task can be the hardest part of getting work done. It is important to put your phone in another room or turn it off completely. There are apps you can download that will let your phone die and then you can charge it back up when you are finished working. It is best to work in a space with the least amount of distractions possible.
Keep your workspace organized and keep a planner with goals
Having an organized workspace and plan helps with procrastination. Keeping a planner to prioritize your work and keep track of individual assignments will help keep you organized. Create goals for yourself to help you stay on task and motivated. After you set your goals, set a timeline for yourself to complete them. For example, if you have a big exam you could set deadlines and say Monday I’ll read Chapter 1, Tuesday I’ll read Chapter 2, etc. Breaking an assignment down into smaller chunks makes it much more manageable. It is easiest to work on your most difficult assignments first to get them done with because that way, everything after it seems easier and takes a shorter amount of time. If you keep pushing that English essay back, you’re never going to get it done. It’s best to buckle down and just do it.
Commit to the task at hand
A big part of getting work done is your mindset. Committing to a task can help you get it done. You can make a list of your goals to get in the mindset of what you need to accomplish and how to best do it. You have to hold yourself accountable for how much work you put in and getting work done requires a lot of self-discipline. An easy way to practice self-discipline is to use incentives. It could be as simple as, “I will do five math problems and then get a small snack.” Try not to use your phone as an incentive because you want to stay away from your phone while studying as much as possible. Taking breaks is crucial to beneficial studying. Set timers every 45 to 90 minutes and give yourself a break. Go for a small walk, take a shower, scream into a pillow; do whatever you need to do to give yourself a mental break, but be able to refocus again shortly.
Remember:
Set up a well-lit study space.
Put your phone away.
Prioritize your assignments, set goals, and make deadlines for yourself.
Take breaks and reward yourself for being an awesome student!
-Are you a procrastinator? Which tip most helps you get your tasks at hand done?-
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