Study Skills - Time Management

 
Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates sometimes. The reasons people procrastinate vary from person to person and case to case. Identifying the reasons you procrastinate is an important step in controlling procrastination.

• Identify your patterns. Keep track of your activities and thoughts over a period of time to discover your own procrastination behaviors and motivations.
   
• Study during your most effective time of the day.  If you study when you are most alert, you will get the most out of your study time.  If you aren't sure when you are most efficient, fill out this daily log and plan your study time accordingly.
   
• Set priorities every day. Spend some time each day deciding what you want and need to accomplish. Make active decisions on how you will spend your time, keeping in mind that sometimes you simply can’t do everything you "should" or want to do.
   
• Break down large tasks. Big projects are much more approachable once they are broken down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Try to realistically estimate the amount of time each step will take and set goals for completion of the steps.
   
• Clear your mind of distractions. One way to improve your concentration while studying is to jot down distracting thoughts on a list as they arise. This will remind you to deal with these issues later and free your mind to concentrate on the task at hand.
   
• Start with the worst! Tackle your most difficult/boring tasks while your level of concentration is high. If you put them off until last, you will be approaching them when your energy level is low. This will make the task take longer and compound your frustration. Getting the worst out of the way first may even energize you to get more done.
   
• Form study groups! Study groups can be a great way to combat procrastination as well as an excellent study tool. Students in study groups often find that working with other students motivates them to keep on top of things.
   
• Ask for help when you need it! Take advantage of all the resources available to you. You will find that professors, T.A.’s, the Tutorial & Academic Skills Center, the Writing Center, the Counseling Center, and many other campus resources are here to help you do your best.  Don’t let uncertainty about an assignment get in the way of your progress.
   
• Vary subjects to eliminate boredom. This is a great way to keep your mind from wandering and to stay on task. Try doing one subject for an hour, taking a short break, then moving on to another subject.
   
• Set rewards for yourself! Promise yourself that if you accomplish a certain task you will treat yourself to ice cream, or a movie, or an extra study break, or some other little treat. Sometimes the extra motivation is just what you need.

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