What are some techniques to avoid procrastination?

Question

I am currently in college and have a large problem with leaving things to the last minute and even then not always really doing them. I guess I'm looking for some techniques to help get my mind ready to work. I've tried listening to music, but I end up becoming really focused on what songs I should listen to and not my work. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I used to have the same problem, I too am in college and am under the gun. Ill tell ya one thing that helped me is to BE ORGANIZED! You will be more willing to look through notes and papers if things are tidy. Second take pride in the work you do. Make it more like an after school project then a military drill. But most importantly schedule breaks and use them constructively. Do something that gets the blood flowing, wakes you up and keeps you focused. Good luck ; )

Answer 2

Music was always too distracting for me, too. Keep a list of what you need to do for the week, day by day. That helps to keep you on track.

Also, when you find yourself with some downtime -- like waiting for a class to start, a short break, etc -- take out a book and read. You may only get through 10 pages, but that's 10 pages less that you have to read.

But the best thing for me was that I would take the work for a couple of classes and go sit outside or go to the library (the stacks, not the social areas) with nothing with me but work, and within two hours, I would have a good deal of what I needed to do done. If you do that two or three times a week, you will get most of your work done in a relatively shorter period of time.

Those are things that I did all throughout undergrad and still do now in law school. And they worked for me, but you'll just need to experiment to find out what works for you. Good luck.

Answer 3

Make a list of what steps you need to do before starting on that term paper. I think about it and make the list in my mind : resources, computer programs, papers, and books. I can't study to music. If I get too much distractions; I go the the library (but take a jacket it gets cold if you stay there too long).

Answer 4

well you can like set up a reward system like you do one paper, then youre allowed to eat dinner. that might work. and music-wise try smooth jazz. it may be boring but its still music that goes in the background without getting distracting. May i recommend Miles Davis?

Answer 5

I am also a college student and what I do is find myself a quiet place free of all distractions where I can concentrate on what I have to do. Maybe you should try this. Find yourself your own quiet place and go from there.

Answer 6

What is so wrong with procrastination ? Where would we be as a country if we would have procrastinated just a little longer _ invading someone's country ?

Answer 7

Write things down on a planner.

Answer 8

Just do one problem. If you can psyche yourself to do just one problem, then you're set.

Because by the time you do one problem, you'll want to finish. The biggest hurdle is just getting started.

Answer 9

take heed from Nike, and Just Do It!

Answer 10

I'll tell ya tomorrow...