“I will start from tomorrow”.

“I still have plenty of time”.

If you find yourself thinking like this, then you are not alone. Many students think like this, and then at the end they have plenty of work to be done, but they do not have time, and they think “how did things get worse, and they are left with no time?”

It is not about being lazy; it is about being confused because you do not know where and how to start.
Even the most determined and motivated students get overwhelmed when they have a stack of homework to do. This blog serves as a friendly guide for the students to meet the deadlines. Whether looking for tips like “last-minute tips to complete an assignment”, “how to avoid procrastination”, this blog is written for you people. Let’s replace panic with achievements because this guide is going to help you step by step, without judging you.

WHY WE PROCRASTINATE?

Before starting that “how can we end procrastination?” we should first know “why it happens in the first place?”

Mostly, students delay their tasks because they feel the task is too big, they are afraid to do it wrong, they feel mentally tired, and they do not know from where to start. Procrastination is not a time management problem; it is usually an emotional response. For instance, when the assignment feels overwhelmed you start looking for relief like watching a series or scrolling social media, which feels easier than the task waiting for you to be done. But once you understand this you will fight against it without giving up!

REALITY CHECK: THE FINAL DEADLINE

Ever happen that you keep waiting for motivation, but the deadline comes before motivation? If yes, then you are not alone. Deadlines do not wait for motivation, no matter how stressed or unprepared you are, deadlines remain the same. This leads you to panic instead of progressing. The thing is that you do not need to feel motivated to start, you just have to start. It means that instead of asking how to start? Or how can I finish this task perfectly? Ask what the smallest step to take right now is? This will reduce your anxiety and will help you to progress.

STEP 1: RESET AND START AGAIN

The first step is to not blame yourself. Do not feel guilty and regret that why I did not start earlier, but think positively, that although I did not start earlier, but I can start now. A healthy and positive mindset will help you in perfection and success. Resetting means letting go of negative ideas like I should have done this, I should have done that, and to focus on accepting where you are and what you can do next. So think positive, be positive!

STEP 2: BREAKING DOWN THE PROJECT

One of the reasons students procrastinate is that they think the task is huge and unclear. So this is why breaking down the project is the best strategy and a game-changer for the students. Let’s say you have 3000 words essay and you have to submit it in 5 days. Sounds terrifying, right? But do not get stressed because what you have to do is to think positively and start working. Here are a few steps you have to do when you face such a problem.

Read the question properly.
Highlight the important words and requirements for the assignment.
Find at least 5-7 sources through which you can get information for your assignment.
Create a rough outline according to which you will do your assignment.
Write an introduction of at least 300 words. The introduction part is the main part through which you can grab the attention of the reader.
Write body sections after the introduction.
Write a conclusion. The conclusion paragraph should be solid.

Now, the huge assignment has turned into small tasks. By completing each task, you will have a sense of achievement because you are doing your assignment easily without being burdened which will automatically build motivation.

STEP 3: FOCUS TRICK

When you are stressed, long study sessions feel impossible, which makes it difficult for you to focus on the given assignment. That is why the third step for avoiding procrastination is to use short focus blocks. Here are the steps for the focus trick

Set the timer for 20-25 minutes.
Focus on one task.
Take a break of 5 minutes after 20-25 minutes.
Repeat the process.

To repeat the process, you need to trust the process. Tell yourself that you only have to work for 25 minutes, which will keep you motivated even if you are having a bad day.

STEP 4: MAKE YOUR TASK UGLY

Do you know that perfection is a silent form of procrastination? YES! You must be thinking why? Many students delay their tasks because they want their tasks to be perfect from the very first line so, it automatically leads to procrastination. But here is the secret for you: make your first draft bad. Write messy notes, incomplete sentences, and rough ideas. You cannot edit blank pages, but you can improve the messy pages. Even if you are writing badly, still it is starting. Your messy ideas will make you more creative and will also enhance your ideas.

STEP 5: MINI DEADLINES

Creating mini deadlines means to create your own deadlines before the university deadline. In this way, you will have your task completed before the actual deadline, and you won’t be under any pressure. This is not extra work but it is smart work for your assignment planning. Most importantly, this step will work for you when you take these mini deadlines seriously, just like the final university deadline.

STEP 6: ENVIRONMENT CHANGE

If you want to make big changes then start from making small changes. A big difference can be made through a small environment change because sometimes procrastination is not about motivation, it is about distraction. Before you sit down to study, make small changes like study in a different room, put your phone away because it is the main cause of distraction, and only keeping those things on your desk with you that are necessary. Your environment should be the one supporting you to focus on study, not distracting you.

STEP 7: ASK FOR HELP

When you are truly stuck and have no way out, ask for help. There is no shame in asking for support or help in a study. It is normal when stress is on its peak and time is running out, so mostly students look for guidance. So when you do not know what to do or how to do, just ask for help, like asking a friend to explain the given task to you, ask your tutor the questions related to your task, and use services that support your study. Think positively, getting help does not mean you have failed or you are failing it means you are problem solving.

STEP 8: BUILD FORCE

When you see progress, motivation grows automatically. So build momentum with small wins like starting with the tasks that are easy, clear for you, and will be quick for you to finish. As soon as you keep doing the small tasks, you will get motivated because you would know that you are progressing, so it would be easier for you to tackle the difficult parts at the end. Sometimes students get stressed because they think they have a lot of work to do but once you are done with the easier and smaller parts you will handle the difficult parts easily because you will not have other parts to focus on.

STEP 9: BE YOUR OWN FRIEND

Will your friend ever say to you that you are lazy, you always mess up things? NO right? Good friends always support you and do not say negative words to discourage you. So being friends with yourself means that you should not say these things to yourself either. Again! Think positive. Replace your harsh thoughts with positive words like yes, I can do this, I am doing the best. A healthy mindset is important and plays a crucial role while you are studying.

STEP 10: FOCUS ON SUBMISSION

Your focus should be on the deadlines. Do not delay your work thinking that you have to submit a perfect assignment, but your focus should be on the deadline. Now, this does not mean that you should submit your task which is messy and not complete. Your focus should be on the deadline and the requirements. Your task should meet the requirements; it does not matter if your task is not perfect. Complete your assignment, meet the requirements and submit it on time without delaying, and waiting for perfection. Nothing is perfect!

EXAMPLE

Imagine a scenario where you have to submit assignment on Wednesday and today is Sunday, and the worst part is that you have not even started working on your assignment. So, without panicking, what you have to do is to follow the steps which are explained in this blog.

Open the assignment brief.
Sit in another room, away from your comfort zone and phone.
Break down the project into smaller parts.
Plan 2-3 small tasks for tonight on which you will work and complete. Take it as a challenge that whatever you have selected, you have to complete it.
Work for 20-25 minutes, take a 5 minute break, and start working again.
Be positive.
Repeat the process.

CONCLUSION

Fellows, keep in your mind that procrastination is not your personality, but it is your habit. The best thing is that habits can change when you use practical strategies, and these practical strategies will work when you really want to change your habit. Just remember that small steps mean a lot, a positive and healthy mindset really matters, and do not delay for perfection and motivation. Progress will automatically build motivation. So do not panic and start working! Best of luck with your future assignments!

WRITTEN BY: ANSA ISHTIAQ