Beat the Procrastination - 5 Ways to Avoid it!
I think every IB student is more than familiar with this word! Ah yes, the beauty of procrastination. - When it gets to the point where you are searching ways to avoid procrastination on google, that's when you know you've hit rock bottom. So welcome, to rock bottom :) ! I know, all too well the feeling of just NOT wanting to do an assignment or not wanting to open that horrible looking maths book but you know what will happen eventually by not opening it and having the willpower to sit down and force yourself through the homework? - Well, stating the obvious, but it will still be there to haunt you in five days time when you've been letting the assignments that 'aren't due till next week' pile up on your desk and that maths book will be sitting right on top! Maybe you can still get away with number three on the stages of procrastination but once it gets to denial, that's it, there's no going back! I've been there too many times and I'm telling you now, the crisis mode is not a place you want to be, trust me. - So what can we do to avoid this?
Here's 5 tips to make you feel more concentrated and avoid procrastination:
Number 1:
Weigh your options. Honestly, think about what could happen if you don't do this assignment or that lab report. Really think about what you would have to miss out on if you were forced to stay home in two days time to finish it. Think about the fact that if you have NOTHING to do right now, you should definitely apply the time that you do have - I know this is the most difficult step, acknowledging it's existence in your life but you won't get rid of it without doing it.
Number 2:
Before I start any work I get myself completely organised. I know that this is strange to say but I tend to get distracted very easily by anything even remotely interesting as anything is probably more interesting than that text book so I make sure that my room is tidy, that my bag is organised, that all the things I need for this assignment are laid out and ready so I won't have search for them and waste another half an hour, I make myself something small to eat before I start working so I have some snacks to help me concentrate, I also make myself a cup of tea which really revives me in the afternoon after a long school day. Chewing gum or mints are also helpful as chewing stimulates the brain and helps you to focus more (this however is just my opinion but if you are having trouble concentrating this might help). I make sure that I am 150% comfortable in my work space so I don't feel the need to fidget and get frustrated and lose my concentration. These are all important things to make sure that your working mind is not interrupted by your surroundings.
Number 3: I have this tendency to check my phone every 5-20 minutes if I see it next to me on the table, this tends to distract me as I will probably get some random unimportant notification from Facebook inviting me to play 'Candy Crush Soda Saga' which I am everything but interested in doing but its just so easy to slide across to unlock your screen and endlessessly scroll through Facebook a hundred times over until you've seen the same post about 4 times. How do I avoid this? Well, I usually put my phone on charge in the other room and because I am very lazy I tend to not want to make the effort to walk to the other room so it no longer distracts me. I've also learned to make sure that I do not have a Facebook tab open in my browser - When I can't see it, it does not tempt me!
Number 4:
When I start to get frustrated I take a 5 or 10 minute break and allow myself to go on my phone and check my notifications or make myself another cup of tea or read an article or watch a YouTube clip. Sometimes, while you are writing your assignment it is important to give yourself that short time to relax so you don't feel frantic about checking your phone or whatever it is that you do that you find more interesting than your assignment.
Number 5:
What really helps me to zone out and concentrate on my work is music. This may not work for everyone but it helps me to stay focused because I can block out all external noises and just focus on my paper. I tend to play relaxing music with a slow beat and a constant rhythm the rhythm of the music tends to help me keep at a consistent working pace. I personally, work very well with music because it makes me feel separated from the world, you just have to find the right kind of music that suits your working pace and thought process.
I hope these tips are useful! Good luck fighting the procrastination!