Tips for Academic Success and Avoiding Procrastination?

[Severian]

I have always been a good student, but I have a lot unused academic potential simply by virtue of the fact that... Well... I'm lazy, and I procrastinate A LOT. Any tips for breaking out of this habit?

Please try to be as magnanimous as possible and pray for my unworthy self!

[biro]

I have a giant chart board I can use to write important things. It helps.

[Jonathan Gress]

This is a major problem for academic work, or any kind of self-driven work, where you have to be your own taskmaster.

The best advice I can give is that you need to identify what exactly in your work is triggering the urge to procrastinate. I eventually discovered, for instance, that I often set too ambitious goals. Set more moderate goals and stick to them. E.g. if I have a stack of 30 papers to grade, it's overwhelming; if I set myself a goal of doing five at a time, with short breaks in between, it's easier to bear.

Also, try to set yourself a fairly rigid schedule, taking into account your various obligations. E.g. during the working week, even if I don't have to be anywhere, I make myself start work at 9am. The night before I force myself to be in bed by midnight, even if I'm reading some interesting article or watching some cool Youtube clip.

There is also an element of brute force. When working, I frequently feel tempted to do something else. When the urge comes, I try simply to lean back and breathe deeply, or maybe lay my head down if I feel exhausted. I try to resist the urge to leave my desk or, worse, surf the web and post on OC.net.

If you don't already, get exercise, whether going to the gym or even just taking a brisk walk. Make sure you do non-work related activities, and try to do them at set times.

Note that I'm not always successful at this myself. When you slip up and get off schedule, simply pick yourself up and try again the next day. Don't let it discourage you.

When you've scheduled your work-time, say an hour, stick to that hour, but when break time comes, resist the urge to keep working, even if you have. When break time is over, go back to work, even if you feel like you could use more time. You have to fight your own desires to some extent.

Exactly what constitutes an achievable goal really depends on you. Observe how many times you fail or succeed at different goals, and adjust accordingly. But aim to spend the accustomed amount of time per week on your study. If you're taking classes, the rule I know of is that you spend two hours outside class for every hour in class. So three hours of class during the week means six hours of your own study. And that means actual study, not procrastination.

Don't pay too much attention to how other students or academics organize their working schedule, including myself. Take the advice, but pay attention to your own habits and needs. Don't try to force yourself into a mold that doesn't fit you.

I know some academics who are much more irregular; their own obsession with their projects drives them, and they don't need to force themselves to keep a schedule. Some days they get up at 7 to work, other days they sleep till noon and work till 4am the following night. But not all are like that, and many successful professors get by with the approach I just outlined. An irregular schedule is a tempting idea to the habitually lazy, which includes myself, so best to avoid it if you're not being productive that way.

Success in study is in fact rather similar to success at Christian living. It requires self-discipline above all else. Set modest goals, but stick to them, and when you fall, don't obsess over it, but as soon as you can get back on the wagon.

[Severian]

^Thank you very much.

[JamesRottnek]

I have always been a good student, but I have a lot unused academic potential simply by virtue of the fact that... Well... I'm lazy, and I procrastinate A LOT. Any tips for breaking out of this habit?

Please try to be as magnanimous as possible and pray for my unworthy self!

This is the only foolproof method: stop being a student.

[Kerdy]

Stop being lazy, get it done right away and do the best you can.  This way you don't have to go back and fix anything and most importantly you can resume your laziness.

It's been working for me for years in all areas of life.

[JamesR]

I actually have the opposite problem. I try to complete things all at once and overwork myself and become exhausted and overwhelmed. Take schoolwork for example, I always take one day out of my week (usually always the day that it is first assigned) and complete ALL of the work for the week in that one day, and then I am free entirely for the rest of the week.

[Achronos]

The cure is a Fight Club-gun-to-your-head intervention.

[Asteriktos]

1) Find the most attractive person in your class, and then become study partners with them. I know what you're thinking: "But Asteriktos, if they're the most attractive I won't be able to concentrate!"  This is correct to some extent. However, there are two factors to consider. First, you are unlikely to put off or cancel a study date, either because you want to see them or because you're afraid to let them down. Second, you will be extra careful to not look like an idiot in front of them, which means you will be more likely to learn the material that you are supposed to be learning.

2) Have someone insert tooth picks underneath your fingernails whenever you procrastinate. If you can get someone to agree to this, and are willing to go through with it, you are unlikely to procrastinate.

3) Study in short bursts, with breaks every once in a while. Make sure the breaks can be kept brief, though. For instance, don't surf the net, in which case a ten minute break can easily turn into a forty minute one. Instead get a candy bar and eat it, or read 4 pages of a book you enjoy, or take a walk down the street in case that cute blonde is out working on her lawn.

4) Set up a schedule. Follow it as best you can. Assign rewards or punishments if you fail to follow it. Tooth picks may be involved. Or watching baseball. Something horrible like that.

5) Go to school an hour or two early, and find a place where socializing is frowned upon. Then your choices will be to either study, or sit there and be bored for a long time.

6) Remember that Jesus kills a kitten every time you underperform on a test. Kittens around the world are counting on you!

[JamesRottnek]

1) Find the most attractive person in your class, and then become study partners with them. I know what you're thinking: "But Asteriktos, if they're the most attractive I won't be able to concentrate!"  This is correct to some extent. However, there are two factors to consider. First, you are unlikely to put off or cancel a study date, either because you want to see them or because you're afraid to let them down. Second, you will be extra careful to not look like an idiot in front of them, which means you will be more likely to learn the material that you are supposed to be learning.

2) Have someone insert tooth picks underneath your fingernails whenever you procrastinate. If you can get someone to agree to this, and are willing to go through with it, you are unlikely to procrastinate.

3) Study in short bursts, with breaks every once in a while. Make sure the breaks can be kept brief, though. For instance, don't surf the net, in which case a ten minute break can easily turn into a forty minute one. Instead get a candy bar and eat it, or read 4 pages of a book you enjoy, or take a walk down the street in case that cute blonde is out working on her lawn.

4) Set up a schedule. Follow it as best you can. Assign rewards or punishments if you fail to follow it. Tooth picks may be involved. Or watching baseball. Something horrible like that.

5) Go to school an hour or two early, and find a place where socializing is frowned upon. Then your choices will be to either study, or sit there and be bored for a long time.

6) Remember that Jesus kills a kitten every time you underperform on a test. Kittens around the world are counting on you!

Number five does not work if you have a laptop and your school has wifi all over.

[Severian]

Thank you all for the advice and please keep posting on this thread if you have something to say.

This thread has no expiration date, it will always be relevant!

[HabteSelassie]

Greetings in that Divine and Most Precious Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Three tips for success that nobody ever told me when I was in college

1) Plan Plan Plan Plan..

Plan EVERYTHING.  Make a back plan, and then several back ups or that.  Read every catelogue from all the local colleges, plan as best as you are able your schedule for every semester years in advance, know your major, know your options, know your requirements, know your contacts, network as much as possible to learn as much as you can about what you need to do.  Without planning, it can take extra years even to graduate, and even then, the degree can become worthless.

2) Double Dip and Get any Available Trade Certificates, Associates' Degrees, Minors, or other Certifications as Possible

If you are pursuing a BA or even Graduate degree, in the mean time plan your classes to double dip for both the requirements of your degree path but ALSO perhaps a trade certificate, or an AA, or a double-major, or a minor.  With these you can find well paying jobs during the undergrad time instead of having to work menial jobs.  Further, if your career plans don't immediately pan out, you can have a successful back up.  Many great jobs and good careers only require a certificate or an AA, and folks simply don't pursue them. My biggest regret was not getting some Trade Certificates on top of my degrees..

3) Take ALL Degree/Career Related Internships, Volunteer Spots, or Career Ladder Jobs

You need to be constantly building your resume while attending school.  This way, when you graduate you will be competitive in your field and also experienced enough to know how to proceed and climb the ladder.  If there are internships or volunteer spots, grab them fast and do that work.  If there are part-time jobs like assistants get those too instead of working menial jobs to pay the bills.  This way your resume will be extra-padded when you graduate, it is a blood thirsty and competitive labor market out there, you will need EVERY single edge you can get.

Nobody told me any of this, I had to back peddle a lot for the third one, and the first I just did on my own, and without it I NEVER would have graduated remotely on time, especially the way classes get cancelled and degree paths get changed.

Good luck!!

stay blessed,
habte selassie

[Ebor]

Thank you all for the advice and please keep posting on this thread if you have something to say.

This thread has no expiration date, it will always be relevant!

When I went back to school after many years away (like between 25 and 30, how's that for procrastinating?) I wanted to do my best while dealing with family and the other usual aspects of living. I started with an on-line class at the local college and I was particularly concerned with missing/forgetting assignments.  So I worked to make it a habit every morning to get a cup of coffee, go to the family computer and log on to class.  Even if there wasn't anything due I could read the latest posts from the Prof and classmates, go over the schedule for the week and stay on top of things.  Eventually this became just a normal part of the routine (modulo interruptions every once and a while due to something out of the ordinary).  So it's nothing amazing but just making it a day-by-day part of life.

It worked by the way.  I'm still taking classes, one or two at a time, on campus at night usually and doing well.

Ebor

[Shanghaiski]

The cure is a Fight Club-gun-to-your-head intervention.

Don't statements like this break the first and second rules of Fight Club?

[Shanghaiski]

Unplug.

Instead of watching TV or surving the Web, go for a walk, read a book, take a nap, or do another quiet activity. The quiet helps your brain recharge and fuels creatvity.

[Severian]

I think I am just gonna resurrect this thread every once in a while to get more opinions.

[choy]

Adderall

[LizaSymonenko]

The more work I find I have to do, the more I procrastinate!   

I'm covering for a girl who is on vacation this week.  She has two projects that began today....so, they are at their most hectic.

I have two of my own, as well, as a third "fire".

I find myself just sitting and staring at the screen in amazement, not knowing what to do first.....

....so, I surf to OC.net to see what's new! 

[Severian]

--bump--

[PeterTheAleut]

--bump--

You put off bumping this thread for that long?

[Severian]

--bump--

You put off bumping this thread for that long?

Lol.

[Rufus]

I have always been a good student, but I have a lot unused academic potential simply by virtue of the fact that... Well... I'm lazy, and I procrastinate A LOT. Any tips for breaking out of this habit?

Please try to be as magnanimous as possible and pray for my unworthy self!

This is the only foolproof method: stop being a student.

This works, regardless of whether you really meant it or were kidding.

Procrastinators almost invariably have one of two problems:
1) They hate what they are doing.
2) They engage in lots of worthless time-wasting activities, which they should seek to eliminate.

Try #2. If it doesn't work, it's probably #1.

[Severian]

I have always been a good student, but I have a lot unused academic potential simply by virtue of the fact that... Well... I'm lazy, and I procrastinate A LOT. Any tips for breaking out of this habit?

Please try to be as magnanimous as possible and pray for my unworthy self!

This is the only foolproof method: stop being a student.

This works, regardless of whether you really meant it or were kidding.

Procrastinators almost invariably have one of two problems:
1) They hate what they are doing.
2) They engage in lots of worthless time-wasting activities, which they should seek to eliminate.

Try #2. If it doesn't work, it's probably #1.

I honestly think I suffer from a hit of both.

[WPM]

1) Study the format on how to take a test - get guides and books on test-taking skills & tips.

[PeterTheAleut]

1) Study the format on how to take a test - get guides and books on test-taking skills & tips.

What's No. 2? Are you putting off posting that?

[orthonorm]

Go to:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/

Click:

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Under Modify Profile, click:

Account Related Settings

Click inside:

Choose Password

Close your eyes.

Type about 12 characters of gibberish without paying attention to what you typed.

Open your eyes.

Copy the gibberish you typed.

Paste gibberish into Verify Password field.

Enter your current password in the Current Password Field.

Click Change Profile.

Now, if you think you will end up emailing the admins for an account reset . . .

Post some really nasty stuff about the mods and maybe pepper those posts with some off color jokes and pornographic materials.

You are welcome for saving you thousands of hours of your life.

[Opus118]

Go to:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/

Click:

Profile

Under Modify Profile, click:

Account Related Settings

Click inside:

Choose Password

Close your eyes.

Type about 12 characters of gibberish without paying attention to what you typed.

Open your eyes.

Copy the gibberish you typed.

Paste gibberish into Verify Password field.

Enter your current password in the Current Password Field.

Click Change Profile.

Now, if you think you will end up emailing the admins for an account reset . . .

Post some really nasty stuff about the mods and maybe pepper those posts with some off color jokes and pornographic materials.

You are welcome for saving you thousands of hours of your life.

Nice thought

However, I procrastinated in the absence of the internet, radio and television. We would additionally need to outlaw used book stores.

[Cyrillic]

Severian, if I'd know how to avoid procrastination I'd tell you. I should really be learning for my exams now...

[Jonathan Gress]

Ritalin.

[Adela]

Someone I knew had the practice of studying as hard as possible during the weekday so that the weekends were totally hers to do fun things, such as rock climbing, etc.  If you can break it up like that where you get the reward of fun and adventure on the weekend, perhaps you could stick to studying longer.

I find myself having trouble with procrastination when my mind is multitasking and overstimulated.  It's best for me to get enough exercise and to listen to calm music.  For some reason I can only clean the house if I have some mellow music on.  So, for studying, I would say, go out and exercise, avoid sugar, etc, turn on some calming music and hit the books. 

Then, contemplate the harsh reality of life:  there is someone out there who is studying harder and longer and that person might get the job that you really want to have.  When you have a high GPA and have some noteworthy accomplishments, you increase the probability you'll end up somewhere that you want to be.  The more you goof off, the more you lose control of your destiny.

And, finally, look at the chance to get higher education as a blessing and treat that blessing accordingly.  There are people in other parts of the world who would die for chance to go to school.  Don't waste the opportunity that you have been given.   

Good luck in your studies 

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