I for one know how hard it is to stay motivated during the school year. There are so many better things you could be doing to occupy your time. Netflix is always just there tempting you to waste your day, bingeing show after show until you pass out from the how much time you spent rewatching seasons 1-10 of SVU. Instead of falling prey to your Netflix addiction, try out these easy tips for keeping procrastination at bay.
Make a playlist of songs that help you focus.
Did you start studying for next week’s exams? Go ahead and splurge on the party size Doritos. Wanna go to the party on Saturday? Buckle down and finish the reading for Monday. Try giving yourself these little incentives to keep yourself productive. Surprisingly it actually helps, especially if you have some else doing it with you. With brings me to…
The Buddy System.
Have a friend (or a couple) who you study with and who can hold you accountable. It’s a lot easier to make yourself go to the library if you have someone to go with. Friends will push you to get your work done and invite you to different study sessions. Find someone you have a class with and share notes. Or just hang out with your inner circle and study independently in the same room. It may sound like it’d be more distraction than encouragement, but if you find the right group of people, you’ll be surprised what you accomplish.
Think of how much better you’ll feel.
Deadlines aren’t optional. Some professors are willing to grant extensions but others…not so much. You don’t want to have that deadline looming over you while you try to have fun, reminding you of just how behind you are. It’ll just cause you more stress and frustration. Instead, get some work done and relish in the feeling of accomplishment. Even if you just get one line down or answer one question, you’re better off than you were before.
Remember: It’s easier to keep going than it is to start.
Set realistic goals (don’t overload your day).
I’m personally a sucker for to-do lists. Sometimes, I plan by the hour just so I can fit everything in. But it’s important not to give yourself too much to do. If your to-do list is too long, you’ll look at it and automatically feel overwhelmed. But if you give yourself small tasks like read ten pages of your psych book and make an outline for your midterm paper, it’ll feel a lot more manageable. You have to give yourself goals that you can actually achieve!
It’s important to realize that you have a strong influence on your own work ethic. Take your motivation into your own hands and start making a difference in your productivity. Believe me, you’ll appreciate the efforts you make.