Procrastinating is among the most stressful and unhelpful traits in college, it affects your learning and creates unnecessary stress. Therefore, learning how to avoid procrastinating was very important and impactful as an engineering student.
Having and Keeping up with an Agenda
Personally I use two agendas, a virtual one with todoist.com and a physical planner, where I write down all of the important dates for tests and projects informed through course syllabus. These dates I highlight with a color denoted for important assignments, and I use different colors for other assignments such as quizzes or when a date is moved. As the semester goes and newer dates and assignments are given, I write them down in either the virtual or physical planner, whichever one is more accessible at the moment. Also, on a week to week basis, I compare the virtual and physical planner to make sure they are both up to date, and to plan out my individual days, such as what homework assignment to work on or what classes to spend time studying for.
I find that keeping up with an agenda/planner is helpful because it allows me to visualize how busy a week will be and how often in advance I should start an assignment or studying. Also, as I work through my assignments there is a sort of satisfaction in crossing it off the list, and feeling accomplished in how much worked I’ve been through.
Managing Your Time
Managing time varies from person to person, not everyone studies at the same pace or completes their homework in the same way. Therefore, to effectively manage your time you must be aware of your personal learning techniques and limits. Personally, I find that focusing on two classes per day is my most effective and successful way of studying when it comes to grades and learning the material. Sometimes I don't finish all of the assignments or materials for both classes, but by managing my time weekly I have been able to finish all of my work and not leave them for the last minute. Also, by dividing the work into different days it allows me to see where I struggle and seek different options, such as spending more time on that class or going to office hours.
Another way of managing time is by taking advantage of any time in between classes to find a place and study. Sometimes, when I don't have back-to-back classes I’m able to find a table in whatever building I'm in, or the building for my next class, and use that time to do my homework and study instead of leaving it until after all my classes are done or nighttime. This is helpful as when I’m on campus my mind is more active and in learning-mode, and it gives me more time afterwards to spend either for myself or to finish my work quicker as there is less of it to do.
Reward Yourself
One of the most rewarding aspects in avoiding procrastination is the decrease of stress and anxiety. By keeping up or being ahead of your work it gives you more time for you to use as you like. I like to clear my schedule on Fridays, if possible, and treat myself. This in return creates a cycle in which I look forward to having a free schedule and actively try to not procrastinate. Some of my favorite ways to reward myself is by ordering food instead of cooking, going out to the movies, or shopping.
I have found that by avoiding procrastination I have had less stressful and better academic semesters. I recommend you find your individual ways to avoid procrastinating, and see the effects on your classes and yourself.
-Maria Corzo
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