I am a major procrastinator. Any tips to help me actually do my work way before it is due?

Question

In high school, I was the person that always stayed up the night before a paper was due to write the whole thing. Sometimes it was so bad that I would skip school in the morning just to finish it. Now that I'm in college, my study habits are a little better but I still find myself procrastinating on major projects - especially writing papers. Any tips on how to motivate myself to do them at a more reasonable time?

Answer 1

I am one of the biggest procrastinators I know. I was also a writing consultant in college for university students.

When I was a freshman, I started an essay two weeks before it was due because once you reach college, you're supposed to be diligent. It was a big mistake. I got a C.

My best work comes when I'm under pressure. So if you're best work comes when you're under pressure as well, try this method when writing your essay.

METHOD: Make sure you are always up to date on your reading for whatever essay you're going to write. As you are doing your readings, make sure you have the assignment in mind. Highlight passages, lines, quotes as you read that you think you may use in your essays.

This way, you are at least prepared the night before. You know exactly what the assignment is. You know what you've read. And you know where to get the passages/lines/quotes that you're going to use.

Answer 2

I am a procrastinator too when it comes to my homework especially essays and projects. It followed me all the way to college. But I find I work the best that way, kind of under pressure. I dont know about you, but its fine to me. But since you want to stop, I would suggest doing it the same day you got the assignment.

Answer 3

Break your task down into weekly or daily chunks and do a bit at a time. It won't feel as cumbersome and it will get done.

The habit of putting off your work is one you need to eliminate NOW! To make the above plan work, start with a few smaller projects, and pretty soon, it;ll become second nature.

Hope this helps....

Answer 4

You're probably a very social person like I am. I find that when I absolutely have to get something done, placing myself in solitude is the fastest way of getting it done.

If I alienate all of the distractions (Friends, cell phone, IM), then I finish things very quickly. Spend sometime in a quiet part of the library and you'll find yourself finished with your work in no time.

Answer 5

I know my behavior can be... *erratic* sometimes. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it I have now surpassed. My conscience, my pity, my hopes disappeared a long time ago if they ever did exist. I still, though, hold on to one single bleak truth: no one is safe, nothing is redeemed.

Answer 6

I was just like you, the trick is to throw yourself into it. As soon as you have any free time pull it out and start jotting down ideas, later expand them, and then type it and mess with it then. Works for me.

Answer 7

Just focus on the task at hand and get rid of any distracting things.

Answer 8

Make a weekly study time schedule, a weekly homework time schedule, and a weekly relax or excercise schedule, then stick to it, on a week by week basis.

Answer 9

Meh, I am a huge procrastinator. In fact, I'm procrastinating as we speak. I'm supposed to be working on a paper that's due tomorrow.*Pokes question* As for the cureing, I suppose....Make whatever your'e doing fun? I dunno, I gotta get to work. :P

Answer 10

Dont let your boyfriend distract you