How can I stop procrastinating?

Dear Jess,

Procrastination can be a difficult barrier to being able to work on assignments for school. I think the first step in addressing procrastination is to reflect on what has recently been going on for you. You mentioned that you usually would get your assignment in on time even if you procrastinated so you might want to make a mental note of what has shifted for you in this area lately. Have you encountered any additional stressors? Are you experiencing disruptions in your sleep or eating routines? Are you taking on more stress associated with school or other responsibilities? Are there certain assignments or classes that are harder than others? These reflection questions might help in determining if you are more mentally drained right now because something in your routine or life might be different.

Time management and procrastination usually go hand and hand. Are there certain parts of the day when you are more productive? Is there a certain time of day when you can sit down and focus on assignments better? It is also important to consider where you are when you try to work on assignments for school. Do you have a certain area in your living space where you usually sit to work on assignments? Are there a lot of distractions in this area of your living space? Try to limit distractions by putting your phone away or wearing headphones. 

When it comes to working on assignments to hand them in on time, it might help if you have a planner or some sort of calendar you can use to write out the assignments and when they are due. If you do this on a weekly or monthly basis you might have a better gauge of the timing for your assignments. There are also steps you can take to work on individual assignments.

For example, if you have a paper due for a class you can take the following steps:

1. A week before the paper is due you can pick your topic.;
2. Then after you pick your topic you can find your sources.;
3. Then establish an outline.;
4. Write a rough draft.;
5. Revise your rough draft.; and
6. Hand in the paper. 

If you have any questions about the paper assignment or run into any issues, consider talking to your professor or another student in the class. If it is hard to find the motivation to start the paper try rewarding yourself each time you complete a step of the process. For example, after you establish an outline treat yourself to something that you enjoy. I hope you find this information helpful.

Best,

Jasmine