Dear Life Section,
I have been in a healthy relationship with my classwork and grades until now. However, as finals week comes closer, I am losing track of time and finding it difficult to focus on pending assignments and coursework.
To add to this, the snowy weather is not giving me any incentive to start studying. I don’t know where to begin and the workload is stressing me out.
What should I do?
Sincerely,
Procrastinator
Dear Procrastinator,
The weather can impact your enthusiasm and determination to prepare for finals. But it is not difficult to deal with this type of procrastination.
I have made a list of advice you can follow to deal with procrastination:
- Find the root cause: Try to assess whether you lack interest in the subject, are scared of the pressure to do good or are simply tired or lazy.Â
- Create a schedule, or don’t: Some students find it convenient to schedule their day and work accordingly. If you ask me, I like setting deadlines. List the topics, assignments and projects you need to cover and make a deadline for each one. This way, you can finish your work on time and at your own pace.
- Don’t overburden yourself: Try not to delegate yourself with more tasks than you can complete. Be pragmatic while scheduling; exhausting yourself will do no good.
- Always start fresh: Make sure you have eaten, showered and rejuvenated yourself before beginning. This will make you ready to sit down and finish your work.
- Find the right spot: It is very important to find a pleasant and comfortable place that is well-lit and away from distractions. Make sure to have snacks and water accessible. Usually, kitchen counters, cafes and study spaces on campus are good locations. Everyone has their own unique spots to study.
- Take meaningful breaks: Breaks are meant to revive your energy to study. Get lunch or do laundry, take a walk or a shower, have a workout session and, if necessary, even take a timed power nap.
- Appreciate yourself: Once you have finished a handful of tasks, treat yourself with something you like. Meet your friends or get yourself a tub of ice cream. At the least, give your body some rest and sleep early to power up for another day.
Sincerely,
The Life Section
