We all know that feeling when we’ve had weeks to complete an assignment or study for a test. However, we still find ourselves stressing the night before. Let this be the year that this habit is put to rest. Learn to master the art of defeating every student’s enemy- procrastination. Follow these steps to achieve academic success with less stress! 😉

Step 1: Identify the reason you procrastinate

Is it due to a lack of motivation, difficulty understanding the course content, or simply because you can’t find the “right” time to begin? This phase will require you to dive deep into your thoughts and daily habits to reflect. While this may seem daunting, it is crucial to recognize the stressor that causes you to delay your work. This will help identify the root cause.

Step 2: Determine strategies to overcome the cause

Having determined the underlying reasons for procrastination, strategies can now be explored to address and resolve the issue effectively. For example, if the concern is a lack of motivation, a few ways to overcome this include finding settings where you work best, tidying up your study space, implementing productivity techniques such as the 5-minute hack, etc. For more tips on how to boost motivation, you can refer to my article How to Study When You Aren’t Motivated.

Issues regarding a lack of understanding of either the assignment or course content can be resolved by asking your professor questions for clarification. This can be done by approaching them after class, through email, or during office hours. Professors are willing to assist, so don’t hesitate to ask for guidance. They are dedicated to helping you succeed and achieve your academic aspirations.

The Student Learning Centre is also an excellent resource for receiving academic support. Through the Student Life Portal, you can book an appointment with a specialist in the course you would like assistance with, register for workshops, and much more. 

Tip:

Before meeting with your professor or academic mentor, write down all your questions and identify which topics you need support with. This practice can alleviate some of the stress of remembering everything and help ensure you don’t forget any important questions.

Suppose you tend to procrastinate on assignments or studying due to concerns about not achieving your desired grade. In that case, it’s important to realize that delaying the task will only reduce the time you must prepare. Beginning sooner gives you ample time to address gaps in your understanding and make necessary revisions, increasing your chances of success.

Step 3: Set clear goals

For each study/work session, it is essential that you determine your desired outcomes. This can be done by setting precise goals using the SMART acronym.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

For more information on how to do this, please refer to my article A Guide to Goal Setting. 

Essentially, you want to set a goal you can achieve in that session. Whether that is to get through a certain number of chapters/lectures or to complete a portion of an assignment. The more specific the goal, the easier it is to identify the steps to achieve it. By following this framework, you can be more productive with your time as the guesswork of what should be worked on has been removed.

Step 4: Reflect

Reflection is a powerful tool that allows for the analysis of both accomplishments and areas of improvement. At the end of your study/work session, reflect upon what went well and what could have been done differently.

Some questions to consider while reflecting can include:

• Did I achieve my goal? If so, in the allotted time? If not, was the goal reasonable?
• What can I do next time to ensure I set attainable goals?
• What went well throughout the study/work session?
• Was I distracted at any point? If so, why?
• Did I work well in the chosen spot/location? If not, where could I work next time?
• Use this information to identify changes to implement in your next work period.

Step 5: Reward yourself

The last step in the process of overcoming procrastination is rewarding yourself. Yes, you read that right! Reward yourself for all your hard work and dedication. Eat a sweet treat, watch an episode of your favourite show, work on that painting, etc. Do what you love! This is important even if you didn’t meet your goals and expectations. It is important to recognize that you put in the effort to make a conscious change, which is something to celebrate. The change process will take some time and practice; however, you can do it! I believe in you! 

This guide helps you reach your highest potential and achieve academic success with less stress. I wish you all a productive semester filled with accomplishments!