The biggest problem students have when they start university is procrastination. Whether it's the lack of motivation, lack of strict parents, or simple laziness, it still effects their grades. I started severely procrastinating in high school, so I have been trying different methods of combating it over the last few years.
The first thing to be sure of is that it isn't an emotional problem. Do not confuse procrastination with uncontrollable avoidance and apathy. If you feel as though you procrastinate in a manner that is too severe, you should seek out a counselor to help you cope with it.
Once you've determined that the problem is not too severe, but it's enough of a problem that you would like to change it, there are a lot of different things you can try out.
Firstly I would suggest weekly goals. If you never do any of your work, set a goal for the next week to do one assignment a day. Continuously add to the number each week. Goals are the easiest way to gauge yourself and your progress, which makes you more likely to feel proud of your results.
Another way to combat your procrastination is to work on time management. Make sure if you think you're going to procrastinate, you are giving yourself time at the last minute to actually get it done. Keep track of everything that goes on in your life in a daily planner. You can buy one at the dollar store, or at most convenience stores, so get on that. The other part of time management is once you start figuring out how your daily schedule is lined up, start doing the work during your breaks as "busy work." Trick yourself into thinking it's helping you procrastinate your other work!
Treat yourself like a child, use the rewards system. Every time you get something done more than 2 days before it's due, get yourself a treat. Anything that will make you excited to do things ahead of time again. If this does't help totally, give yourself a penalty system, too. For every time you do your work last minute, decide on something that will encourage you to work harder to meet your goals. That can be anything from leaving your phone on airplane mode for an hour to not having a dessert after your dinner. As long as it isn't harmful it's good.
Some people make time to go to new places with their books. If you make a trip to a library with all of your homework in hand and decide not to leave until your work is done, you won't want to procrastinate because you wouldn't want to be stuck at the library all day (obviously it doesn't have to be a library).
Over all, procrastination is still a problem that myself and many others are trying to overcome. It's a matter of planning and self control, and it is 100% possible to stop doing.
