Since this school year is in full swing, I am constantly working towards assignments, projects, and trying to get ahead in my classes. Though I want to be productive, I always find a reason to procrastinate. Procrastination has always been a big issue in my academic career and I am finally finding ways to overcome it. Here are my three biggest tips for being productive and bypassing the urge to procrastinate.

1. Planners

Having a planner does not mean anything if you aren’t going to use it. Find a planner that is able to accommodate your needs and that you will actually enjoy using. Until I started high school I always used the agendas provided by the school and I never actively used it. It would stay in my locker or on my desk at home which would ultimately cause me to forget assignments and due dates. This year I’ve opted to use the Day Designer Weekly/Monthly planner because it has plenty of space for each day and was inexpensive. If you are unable to find a planner to fit your needs, Bullet Journaling is an incredible system that is 100% customizable, but it does require a bit of time to set up.

2. Organization

I am an incredibly unorganized person except when it comes to school. For me, organization helps me stay focused on my work instead of giving me another gateway for procrastination. If all of my ducks are in a row there is no reason for me to put off my school work for organizing my binders or folders. By having all of my notes organized I feel motivated to actually study and use them, where as if they were sloppy and all over the place it would feel like a burden.

3. Find What You Enjoy

I used to despise doing homework because I never found a way to make it interesting to me. Math was always the worst, putting it off until the very end or doing it moments before I had to turn it in. This year though, the class is very writing oriented which appeals to me and my learning style so much more. Outlining textbooks is one of the best ways for me to learn the material, so I can outline my math work while doing my homework in the process. Finding ways to appreciate even your least favorite class or responsibility allows you to stop putting it off until it becomes a chore. You know you are going to have to do it eventually, so why grudge through it when you could enjoy it.