Many of us have procrastinated in some aspects of our lives, whether it was doing our schoolwork, completing a project, or preparing for an exam. It is not only typical in school that we procrastinate, but it is also prevalent among college students. You most likely understand what you should be doing, but you just do not want to do it. You may be tempted to put off complicated or time-consuming projects until the very end of the session, but doing so will likely result in you pulling a stress-induced all-nighter. It can be a challenge to break the procrastination habit, but it can be done. Here are some tips to stop procrastinating on homework:
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1. Stop procrastinating on homework by removing distractions
When you find yourself distracted from your homework, take a note of what your distractions are. Distractions can be divided into two categories: technology and people. To minimize in-person interruptions, hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door or on the chair back.
It’s very easy to get sidetracked by checking social media feeds, watching videos, or even drinking a beverage. So, turn your phone off or keep it on silent mode. Even if you want to search for something related to your homework, make sure the notifications of your social media accounts are off.
2. Take short breaks
Count to 10 before starting your homework. If you feel tempted to procrastinate, count to 10 and then begin the task again. Try the Pomodoro Technique, which alternates between periods of work and rest.
Try completing 25-minute stretches of work with five-minute breaks in between. Afterward, you can add a 30-minute break after four work sets. This way, you will not get bored of doing your homework. During the 5-minute break, you can walk a bit, stretch, and drink some water.
3. Change your physical work environment
Another way to stop procrastinating on your homework is to change your environment. Changing your physical work environment can help you focus on your tasks. Leaving your phone outside or unplugging from your computer can help.
Changing your physical work environment may seem illogical, but it can help you get back on track and finish your homework faster. You should also remove temptations and other distractions, such as studying in bed, having a television in the room, etc.
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4. Schedule homework sessions when you’re effective
Make a list of your homework assignments, and schedule a homework session when you’re most effective. By scheduling a homework session when you’re most effective, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.
To begin with, stay organized and keep all your study resources nearby. Before you start doing your homework, take a note of the topics you are supposed to write about so that you don’t end up doing extra work. Also, don’t multitask, i.e., focus on one subject at a time to be more effective. Also, scheduling homework sessions early in the day will give you more time to complete the tasks.
5. Make your homework schedule known to those around
If possible, discuss your homework plans with your family members. Asking for accountability or encouragement from someone else may keep you motivated to finish your work. Your friends who study the same subject as you can hold each other accountable for completing assignments.
If you’re working on a large project or a lengthy assignment, you can even break it into small portions and give yourself a break. This will also make it easier to stay on track with your homework and will help you feel less overwhelmed
6. Stop procrastinating on homework by defining your goals clearly
Clearly defining your goals is the most important thing to do to stop procrastinating on your homework. You will have a much easier time staying motivated if you know exactly what you want to accomplish.
Whenever you feel like procrastinating, remind yourself why you started and what your goal is. Instead of focusing on completing the entire homework at a stretch, define your goal as, “I will write two pages by 5:30 PM.” In this way, your goals will feel attainable, and you won’t feel stressed.
7. From a study group
For bigger projects or challenging assignments, working in a study group is the most effective method of completing them since it allows you to be alert while also working through the difficulties that may be causing you to procrastinate.
In a study group, you can use peer pressure and a sense of responsibility to push yourself to complete your tasks as promised. You can also use this method to stay accountable and learn the course material. Keep in mind that working in a group might intensify procrastination for some of you, depending on your group members.
8. Ask for help
Many times, we procrastinate on homework due to a lack of knowledge about the subject matter. To avoid this behavior, you can ask for help with the concepts you don’t understand and finish the required assignments quickly.
Teachers can provide you with study tips as well as suggestions for how to complete homework. Alternatively, you can also ask your parents or friends to help you with concepts you aren’t able to understand.
9. Get organized to stop procrastinating on homework
If you don’t have a clear strategy or plan for how you’re going to finish your homework, you’re more likely to put it off. When you’re organized, you’ll be able to function in a more methodical manner. It’s a good idea to utilize organizational tools, whether they’re calendars or scheduling programs on your computer, or the traditional way of jotting things down.
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Consider making a list of homework and deadlines, calculating how long each task will take you to complete, and counting backward from the deadline period to ensure that you have enough time to complete your homework before the last date.
10. Reassure yourself
For those who struggle to complete their homework on time, reassurance can be the most powerful tool. If the homework was not relevant to your class, it would not have been assigned.
If you find yourself second-guessing yourself or having negative thoughts about your homework, it’s important to keep your attention on the bright side. Reassure yourself that you can complete your homework on time. While they will not guarantee success, they will prevent you from procrastinating in the future.
11. Focus on one task at a time and let go of perfectionism
To overcome procrastination, you should make it a point to focus on just one task at a time. After all, completing one task will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to finish the next.
Focus on progress rather than perfection, which is the reason why many students postpone their homework. Instead of focusing on perfection, focus on making progress, and you will soon be able to tackle any task.
12. Reward yourself for any progress to stop procrastinating on homework
Reward yourself for any progress made on homework. When we fail to complete a task, we feel frustrated and let down. Choose the most manageable homework first, then do the hardest one. This way, you are more likely to complete your homework, and it will boost your self-esteem.
Write down the specific task and reward yourself every time you complete it. This way, you will start to regain your self-trust and begin to finish the task that you hate.
Extra Tip: Get enough sleep
Good sleep habits are essential for maintaining persistent motivation and overcoming procrastination. Lack of sleep negatively impacts your ability to concentrate, be motivated, and comprehend information, among other things. This makes you less inclined to do your tasks, particularly more complicated ones and makes you more prone to procrastination.
By limiting your screen time before bed, adhering to a nighttime routine, and avoiding sugar or caffeine (such as soda) after a particular time each day, you can establish good sleep patterns.
Conclusion- Stop procrastinating on homework
Even though there is no single solution to the question of how to stop procrastinating on homework, there are a variety of behaviors and habits that you may adopt to help you overcome this frequent difficulty.
Everyone is different, and each person needs a different approach to overcoming procrastination. Experiment with the strategies mentioned above and make necessary adjustments to find which ones work best for you.
Keep in mind that this is not going to be an overnight transformation, so be patient! The outcomes you will notice as a consequence of overcoming procrastination will be a wonderful reward for your efforts.
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