Time Management and Procrastination

Overview

There are many reasons that students may struggle with time management and procrastination. While there are many benefits to examining specific areas and strategies that can help, there are some general areas of self – care that can have a big impact on how time management and procrastination are addressed. So make sure you get enough sleep, eat good and healthy foods, and increase or maintain good exercise habits to get your brain on track and ready to succeed.

Time Management

There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to managing your time. Looking at why you struggle with time management and what strategies you have tried in the past can help you to understand your patterns. Another helpful area to examine is what about your life is causing you to struggle with time management? Are you not following a plan you created? Do you need to start tracking what you need to do? Are you working or studying in a crowded or uncomfortable environment? After doing some self – evaluation, it may be easier for you to identify some strategies that will help you the most.

• Try a planner! Using an electronic or paper version can help you schedule out time for what needs to be done. Planning out time for studying, writing reports, and other necessary tasks can help you stay on track and meet deadlines. It is also important to take time to socialize and relax, so make sure you schedule time in for that too!
• Prioritize! Some tasks are going to be more fun to complete, or easier to do than others. By being realistic about what needs to be done (compared to what you would like to do), you can make sure you meet deadlines and are not scrambling with a difficult assignment last minute.
• Set realistic and reachable goals. You aren't going to be able to accomplish multiple papers in one day and study for multiple tests. By planning to accomplish a reasonable amount each day, you won't feel overwhelmed or pressured.
• Figure out when you are most productive and focused, and use that time to complete your most difficult or challenging tasks – it will help make them easier.
• Figure out what you might be able to use as a "reward". It can be motivating to know that after a 30 minute study session, you are going to spend 15 minutes browsing the internet, watching a show, treating yourself to a snack or whatever you may find helps to motivate you.
• Spoil yourself with a nice study area. Make it a place that you can tolerate being, it will help make your study sessions more enjoyable. Plants, photos, calming music and good lighting are all ways to make it an area that you may want to spend time in (instead of running the other way).

Procrastination

Often times, procrastination can be addressed by better time management – if you make realistic goals, you'll be more likely to try to meet them, or be motivated by the success you had previously. However, sometimes there are other reasons for procrastination. Depression, anxiety, poor impulse control and several other factors could have an effect by altering your emotional state. If better time management does not improve your procrastination tendencies and you feel there are other reasons you put things off, take some time to evaluate what goes through your mind as you put off tasks.

Our office is always available as a further resource to evaluate time management and procrastination, and to discuss possible strategies!