With the summer in full swing, many students may find their attention straying far from summer classes. A sunny and carefree afternoon may sound much more appealing than hours of tiresome schoolwork, but yielding now to procrastination’s irresistible call only promises more headaches in the future.

So what can you do to stay on track? Here are some tips to keep your academic infidelity in check:

• First and foremost: stay motivated. Although it’s important to remember what tasks lay waiting for you to complete, it is equally as important to remember why it’s necessary to complete these tasks. Looking at the big picture, are your current efforts working towards something you truly want? If so, Godspeed. If not, then perhaps it’s time to reconsider your intentions.


• Next, know where to start. Prioritizing can greatly help organize your time and energy. But stay well rounded. Evenly distribute high priority and low priority tasks into your schedule so that the high priority assignments will not keep you from your simple errands, and your simple errands cannot allow you to procrastinate with big projects. Break the big projects into smaller parts. Aside from official deadlines, give yourself sooner deadlines for each of the smaller parts. Allow room for error, but attempt to follow your schedule closely.


• Distractions are boundless, so find a good study environment. If a bedroom or home office won’t suffice, try local libraries or bookstores. Obviously they offer limitless resources. Many cafes, bakeries, and restaurants have wireless internet options, so they expect students to come and take advantage of the casual working atmosphere.


• Let people know what’s up. Tell friends and family what and when projects are due. These are people who care about you, so letting them know your schedule helps them help you. Friends and family can consider these important dates when planning parties and vacations, or other events. If you’re absolutely swamped, you can talk to family about distributing housework differently. If you’re under overwhelming pressure from parents or other people, talk to them about easing up and understanding your situation.

The perfect study method is different for everyone, so don’t give up if something doesn’t work. The key is to keep trying. Find what works for you and make it a habit. The Complete Idiots Guide to Procrastination says, “Bad habits often develop in high school, and the older you get, the harder it is to kick a habit,” so start now! “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

References:
Tullier, Michelle. The Complete Idiots Guide to Overcoming Procrastination. New York City: Alpha Books, 2000. 271-282.