how do i prevent distraction and procrastination?

Question

Whenever i have to do homework or other important things, i'm always distracted by other things.. mostly my computer. I end up browsing sites, on myspace, checking sports scores for hours. This results in procrastination obviously, and I end up finishing all my homework at around 2 or 3 am and getting no sleep at all.

what should i do?

Answer 1

Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task which needs to be accomplished. This can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression and self-doubt among students. Procrastination has a high potential for painful consequences. It interferes with the academic and personal success of students.


How to Overcome Procrastination:

Recognize self-defeating problems such as; fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfectionism.
Identify your own goals, strengths and weaknesses, values and priorities.
Compare your actions with the values you feel you have. Are your values consistent with your actions?
Discipline yourself to use time wisely: Set priorities.
Study in small blocks instead of long time periods. For example, you will accomplish more if you study/work in 60 minute blocks and take frequent 10 minute breaks in between, than if you study/work for 2-3 hours straight, with no breaks. Reward yourself after you complete a task.
Motivate yourself to study: Dwell on success, not on failure. Try to study in small groups. Break large assignments into small tasks. Keep a reminder schedule and checklist.
Set realistic goals.
Modify your environment: Eliminate or minimize noise/ distraction. Ensure adequate lighting. Have necessary equipment at hand. Don't waste time going back and forth to get things. Don't get too comfortable when studying. A desk and straight-backed chair is usually best (a bed is no place to study). Be neat! Take a few minutes to straighten your desk. This can help to reduce day-dreaming.


Study Skills Self-help Information:
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html

Answer 2

I am a procrastinator too, its almost like a get a rush doing every thing last minute...i dont blame you, it sucks. What helped me alot was just forcing my self in to a consistent mindset, not to get side tracked. I made it a habit, just do it at a specific time before the day. Do it when you get home, before you go out or do anything else.

I also feel like you are creating a vicious cycle for your self. Get sleep and you will get energy, the energy will help you with focus.

hope i helped
JJ

Answer 3

Here's what I do...Take care of important things first, bills, etc. Then I think of it as a reward when I get those things done. Concentrate. Get done what needs to be done and then have fun. Put your priorities in position. First things first. I've done the same thing. Get on here and then get lost on other things. Put your mind to it and get business out of the way. You'll feel a lot more comfortable about everything.

Answer 4

The first step is recognizing the problem. The second step is deciding you want to change. The third is identifying the methods. Since you have already accomplished the hardest parts I will try to skip the discipline, and self respect lecture. Give yourself a wind down period after school for no more than 1/2 hour for a snack and break. Do not allow yourself the risk of beginning anything that you have already identified as a distracting element. Save it for your reward using a structured schedule of reward after you have earned it for yourself. If you end up enjoying the responsibility stuff more and don't have time for wasting away, then you won't miss it because the sense of accomplishment is much more rewarding than the sense of wasting your life away. Set your own rules and be determined not to break them. Set an egg timer or alarm to signal when your break is up and the work must begin. Make a list of assignments on one page as soon as you receive them. Keep them each day on the same page. As soon as all of the assignments have been received take a moment to review and prioritize them based on 1) when due 2) amount of work involved 3) level of difficulty. Write number s beside each assignment to give yourself a working schedule to structure your work time. Write up a standard mantra or script to repeat in your head several times a day, especially when you wake up, and go to sleep. For example, you could brainwash yourself by looking in the mirror and saying "I am very proud of myself for knowing and doing what I need to keep my self respect by taking care of my future. I am going to complete my homework before I do anything fun today because I am going to make something good of myself. I am going to follow my list today and everyday. After my list is accomplished, I will reward myself." Say this or read this over and over until you have it ingrained into your personality. And definately don't forget to give yourself the reward once you have earned it. You could even have a reward menu to pick from since you already know how addictive the net is and you don't want to put yourself at risk by putting yourself in the position of being online and not getting off. So change up your rewards. If you need an external limitation, have someone set parental controls to disallow net use after a certain time. This will further increase your commitment to doing what is best for your health, well-being, GPA and future opportunties for success. One last tip, disciplining yourself now and recognizing the need for self-discipline can prevent future problems with a potentially addictive personality. Do not allow yourself to do it impulsively. If for no other reason, prove to yourself - you can do it. If not, then get professional help early. I'm not joking! Remember cyberspace really isn't actually living by doing in the real world! You can even mark an x on a calendar to self evaluate your effectiveness and rate of progress. If you regress, then you can measure how much less time online you really should take away from yourself. Don't forget to visualize yourself looking at your future report card and seeing improvement. Pre-Visualization of yourself doing what you need to also can be beneficial. Set yourself up for success and if you see yourself messing up, replace that image with a big red stop sign followed by a green light and you doing what you need to.

Answer 5

I have the same problem before.. What I did is that, if I have a freetime in school, I do my homework there. You can try doing your homework in your house the minute you arrive from school. You have to stay focused and really try to prioritize your school works. Or better yet, don't eat before you finish everything you need to finish..=)

Answer 6

Do the important things first and save the other stuff for later. That way you'll hurry up and finish the important things to get to your reward.

Answer 7

Have some self control. Set the computer as a reward to get after you are done with work.

Answer 8

if i were you i would either start doing it right when i get home and in a completely different room away from the computer...or if possible go to a library or a park or something like that to keep you in focus

Answer 9

Start taking flax seed oil or fish oil. This stuff may help you.

Answer 10

For starters, get off of Yahoo Q&A.