“What? That’s due tomorrow? But I have an AP U.S. History test and a math quiz and a club meeting after school and cross country afterwards…”
Some form of this phrase is most likely said by every student who has ever crossed the threshold of a high school. Counselors and hovering parents encourage - more like force - every student to be well-rounded. Naturally, we get overwhelmed by having to be in a club, a varsity sport, know how to play an instrument, have volunteer hours and other forms of extracurriculars outside of school, all while having perfect grades.
Sometimes it just gets a little too much, and knowing how to procrastinate could probably help you. For example, I personally never go straight home after school. There is always something I have to go do- my job, go to dance, the library, errands for my parents. Normally by the time everything is said and done and I get home, eat dinner, and have 30 minutes to myself it’s 9 pm. Obviously, you should avoid procrastination at all costs, but let’s be real, we have busy lives! Some busier than others, but if you are similar to me, you don’t have much free time to do homework, essays, or projects before the eve that it is due.
Again, avoid procrastination but if you have a busy life at least learn the ways to save time! Here’s what you have to do:
1. Get a cute planner (or manly, whatever your style)
2. Find some colorful pens and write down EVERYTHING
Plan out everything, down to eating your midnight snack, in the planner.
3. Before you begin, dance and sing around your room for 15 minutes, giving yourself time to let loose.
4. Brew yourself a nice hot cup of joe (or tea if you’re that kind of person).
5. Put on your favorite chill music (my personal favorite is Ed Sheeran).
6. Remember that procrastinators are creators and your best work could potentially come out of this
7. Get thesaurus.com up and running if you are writing a paper (believe me, it can make you sound 10x more intelligent).
8. Set interval goals!
Every 30 min you should have one part of your homework done. After each interval, reward yourself with food or a 10-minute break. This will help your brain refocus and refresh. Each time, check off that goal in your planner to make you feel like you have achieved work!
9. Switch subjects every 30 minutes to an hour to give yourself a break from that particular subject.
10. Once you finish (self five!), get in your cozy bed and set your alarm a few minutes past your normal wake-up time; you deserve it.
Procrastination is not the best philosophy to have in life, but with how rigorous high schools are now (especially upperclassman getting ready to go to college), it’s kind of impossible to avoid for every single assignment. So let’s be real--embrace it! Find ways that work for you to avert major stress attacks. Achieving the ‘Art of Procrastination’ will give the best feeling in the world: getting things done!
