I got you a gift…a study tip for your Tuesday- I hope you
like it ;)
One of the questions I am most asked by students – and one
of the ones that I think requires the most attention – is “How do you manage
all of the things you have to do at once?”
In a word? Prioritize.
I build a task-list, and then I prioritize it.
Let’s try it together; I will walk you through my process.
Open up a MS Word document. In bold, create
a few categories that best represent your "life" categories when it comes to tasks. For example, right now, my task list is divided into the following:
Today (where I put tasks I will do today)
Due Dates (where I put tasks that have specific due dates)
Grad School (where I put my grad school HW)
Miscellaneous (important things but do not have specific due dates)
Business Priorities (this is not a to do list, it's a reminder of my most important goals and priorities for the next 6 months. It helps keep me focused when choosing which tasks to tackle first; for you this should be your educational priorities or life priorities).
The next thing that I do is go through my work
calendar, my business calendar, my syllabi for grad school classes, and then
any other personal or professional commitments that I have and fill them
in on the task list. I do it in bulk whenever I receive a lot of dates/tasks at once (e.g. on a syllabi) and then update it about once per day.
Try this now – work your way through your syllabi and fill
in tasks and their due dates for your projects/tests/exams are this semester. Make sure you write your to do list tasks using specific action words before each task (e.g. do, read, write, create).
(Example of one of my to do list categories right now.) Grad School - Research Meaningful Reception Learning and write paragraph for presentation *due Feb 13 - Create MRL PowerPoint slide for group project *due Feb 16
I compliment this with my Google Calendar. I place every item with a due date in the calendar and set SMS reminders that get
text-messaged to my phone (i.e. I call this my life-saver). Whatever system you use, find a way to set up automated reminders.
Every morning I review the task items in my to do list and move any urgent items to the "Today" category so I know to tackle them that day before or after work. And then all I have to do is focus on the "Today" category and can ignore the rest for the rest of the day. The key is knowing your priorities, and keeping it simple. As soon as you have too many things on your task list you'll never want to look at it. Stick with the most important things and never let it get too cluttered.
A lot of you ask me about procrastination, and the truth is, I really never procrastinate. While some people work better under pressure, I work better without pressure. I love the feeling of true free time, with nothing hanging over my head. And this kind of system does wonders for your grades.
Ask yourself: do you always feel on top of your life and schedule? Are your grades the best they can possibly be? Are you known for being organized and responsible? Are you meeting the goals you have for your life? If the answer is a resounding YES to all these questions then the organizational system you use now is working great.
If the answer is no - why not give this a try, and let me know how it goes! And if you have any great systems you use, feel free to share. =)
It's Tuesday – which means it is time for some more study
tips for the week :)
As I've mentioned in previous posts, one of the most effective ways to study is to create a
practice test. So I thought I'd share an easy way to create one. Because remember creating the practice test itself is just as effective (if not more so) than actually taking it.
There are a few practice test methods that I'll eventually share, and I'd like to start with the multiple-choice.
In education, one of the most effective methods to learn
something is to associate it with its meaning and differentiate it from what it isn't -- a logical, but incorrect answer (i.e. what can sometimes feel like a "trick" question on a test but is really there to make you think hard). It's called a “non-example.” By building your own questions, you allow yourself
to interact with the material on a deeper level by defining terms and non-examples.
Okay, are you ready? Here's what to do:
First, choose key details from the sections that you are reviewing; for example, focus on things that you may have highlighted during your reading.
Next, try to think about the kind of questions that could be
associated with that topic. There
are generally two types of MC questions.
The first type is usually easier to answer – those questions
that simply require you to distinguish between definitions.
When creating these questions, the rules are simple:
generate a sample question, providing the correct answer as one option.
Then choose terms that are related to or
similar to the correct answer – terms that have something to do with the
correct choice but have a distinguishing characteristic. Have fun and be sneaky about it. Pretend you're a professor trying to "trick" students (i.e. really trying to make them think hard).
Use those answers to build the incorrect multiple-choice answers for
the question.
As you do this you will be thinking deeply about the term and how it is different from other closely related examples. This will dig it deep into your brain, ready to recall come study time.
The second type of question you'll want to develop – the more common – and
difficult – is the example-based question.
The process for you will be exactly the same.
The only difference is you'll be dealing with the practical application of theories instead of definitions. For example, in most psychology, science, and business classes professors will ask you to apply theories, postulations, or laws to a set of circumstances.
So, in order to simulate this, you'll work towards understanding the theory enough to predict what type of question could be asked
with it and what mistakes could be made. This takes practice.
For example, if you are studying gas laws in chemistry, you'd want to generate a sample question that will
require you to go through the process of applying those laws to a situation correctly.
Come up with a scenario and choose the correct theory application. Then, start to build non-examples that show the incorrect steps
in the process – or an incorrect interpretation of that theory or concept. In the chemistry example, your incorrect choices might be an instance of applying a
different gas law, or a non-example where you skip or misplace a step in the process or formula.
Again, the purpose here is very focused (and very effective).
Studying isn’t just preparing for correct answers. It is preparing to be able to see why
the incorrect answers shouldn’t be chosen.
This isn’t always easy at first. It shouldn’t be. If this process was always easy,
professors wouldn’t be able to challenge their students. And everyone would get 100's on their tests.
But, once you start analyzing the way that questions can be
formatted – rather than flipping through definitions on flashcards or thinking that staring with dead-eyes down at your books counts as studying – you can build your preparedness and confidence (and test scores) to new heights you might not even realize are possible.
And remember, the goal isn’t to get a “C” or even a “B” on a
test. The goal is a to get a
perfect score. The 100%.
Because you can.
It's not about perfection. But trying your hardest is about always striving for perfection, knowing that your self-worth lies in the striving itself.
So strive. Create multiple choice questions. Make your study time stimulating and valuable. And then maybe even trade tests with your friends to see if you can "trick" them ;)
I am a huge fan of study groups. Accountability
is important – and working cooperatively to prepare for tests, quizzes, and
final exams is a great way to get ready for the material. In my book I also talk about how they are a great way to start making friends and building a learning community.
But, if the show Community on NBC has taught us anything, it is
that study groups need parameters.
So here are my must-dos for study groups.
1.Study ahead of time – don’t be that guy (or girl). Study groups should never be your only means of studying. One of the biggest hindrances to study groups is that guy who shows up with a bunch of excuses about why he hasn't studied yet and that he's finally ready to get serious. He's relying on you to give him all the answers. Don't be that guy! Because it doesn't work. You should study by yourself for a few hours before you engage in a study group. The study group is an opportunity to recall what you've studied - not to start from scratch. The study group should take your preparation from a B+ to an A+.
2. Make it an open group – at least initially. Since you are going to prepare ahead of time, the study group serves as an opportunity to recall the information and interact with others - anyone interested will be a great asset. When you are a commuter student especially, it should be an opportunity to expand connections with your classmates. But don't be afraid to politely ask someone to leave if they are not being helpful towards the study group's goals.
3. Create a game-plan for the session. How will you study? Will
it be a free-for-all or will you have some sort of coordinated strategy? The
best study groups are the ones with a leader or two - people who think about the study group ahead of time and help create a structure that allows everyone to get involved.
I often led study groups and would create games we could play with the content using notecards; we'd go around the room quizzing each other, and would pause on any topics we felt we needed to discuss further. Don't assume someone else will create this for you. Be that leader and not only will you help others, you will benefit tremendously (e.g. anytime I led a study group like this I usually got a 98-100 on the exam).
4. Generate questions. Anticipate what questions will be on the test and try to create a practice test the group can go over together. Before you meet you can assign each person in the group a role in terms of
what part of the practice "test" to create and then you can quiz each other when you meet for the study group, moving through the material with focus and direction.
5.Make it a habit. Fine-tune your group (if one
session seems flawed, fix it or move on) and then make a habit out of
meeting. Study groups can be fun, can keep you accountable, and can help you
build a fun and thriving learning community.
Give these tips a try and let me know if you have any more questions about your group at advice@communitycollegesuccess.com! If you are already in a study group, see if these
things can help improve the quality of your session. Study groups should
be fun – but more importantly, productive. Find that balance and enjoy :)
Announcing a new feature I’m going to include on the blog for Tuesdays in 2012!
College success is really all about strategies, so every Tuesday I will give you 3 quick strategies that you can implement into your routine right away to give you a boost towards reaching your goals.
Here are this week’s 3!
1. Decide on a set block of time you will study/work on homework every week this semester and set phone reminders (Google Calendar SMS set up is great). Schedule the blocks at no more than an hour or two at a time and stagger as necessary. Stick to those reminders every week. If the alarm on your phone goes off at seven o’clock and you are on Facebook, sign off, change locations, and get to work. This will pay off with A’s.
2. Read a book about your desired major/career. You’ve been there, standing in line at your college bookstore, paying hundreds of dollars for a book you may not be all that interested in. It can be crazy, but reading will always play a huge part in how we learn. So why don’t we read more books on topics that truly relate to our own lives and personal goals? Search your college’s library, your local library, or Amazon.com for a book that relates to your desired future profession. And then read it.
3. Write down one question from your required reading this week to ask your professor in your next class.Never go an entire week without contributing to class discussion. Make it a goal to speak up at least once every class. Professors who remember your classroom contribution will be the ones ready to write you a recommendation when you move on or graduate.
Success is all about small daily habits. Ask any student who get’s straight A’s. Ask any athlete. Ask any mom.
It’s the little daily things that move us forward. And missing out on these small things every day are what can take us down.
I hope these tips this year will help you lift off every day towards your better life.
Thanksgiving break has just ended and Winter Break is so close you can taste the candy canes.
However there’s just one thing standing between you and that blissful month off – final exams.
I miss almost everything about college – but I’ll be honest I don’t miss studying for final exams. I don’t miss the intensity of knowing that in one week you will be expected to pour out everything you’ve learned in a semester onto a few sheets of paper in an hour or so. Some classes make finals a larger part of your grade than others – but pretty much every class will put you through this.
And it doesn’t get easier as you go along. In fact my senior exams were the most intense.
I will tell you though there is one part of final exams that I do miss. I miss that wonderful relieved feeling walking from my class to the parking lot, my brain feeling so free, releasing its grip on all of that information, and the elation I felt and the spring in my step that only comes from knowing you just aced your final exam.
That sense of completion and accomplishment is unlike any other. And it’s something I haven’t felt since college.
If you’ve never felt that feeling then this post is for you. If you’re used to that sinking feeling after a test where you feel drained, exhausted, depressed, and anxious then this post is for you. There is a better way.
There are dozens of great study techniques that teach you how to study smarter and not harder. Find those books, buy them, and read them. They will save your life.
Below are my favorite techniques. The ones that helped me get A’s on every exam, the ones that made studying for exams (while not something I miss) a manageable experience, and the ones that made walking away from my exams and into Winter Break one of the best feelings of accomplishment and completion.
1. Start studying today.
Make a list of every exam coming up and when you will take it (or when it’s due as some final exams are essays or take-home tests). Then, using a calendar or planner (my fav is Google Calendar) block off times to study for each test separately (no more than 50 minutes at a time) leading up to its due date.
2. Focus.
Our brain literally cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. Just because we can text, study, Facebook, and eat at the same time doesn't mean it's the best way. And it is proven that our brains aren't wired for multi-tasking. Multi-tasking kills productivity
So, when studying for a test go to the library by yourself, rid yourself of all distractions (e.g do not go on Facebook, turn off your phone completely) and study for no more than 50 minutes at a time and focus on one test at a time. Put everything away except what you need for that test. Then do your study activities. Once 50 minutes is up take a 10 minute break (walk around, get something to eat, talk to a friend) and then start again. I'd recommend no more than 3 hours of studying (with a total of a 3 10 minute breaks at at time).
3. Do not pull all-nighters.
The day before the test should be the day you do the least amount of studying. In the weeks and days before you should be doing reviews and study activities. There are many books and online games (e.g. quizlet.com) that you can use to find and create great study activities (i.e. just sitting at a table with your books and notes doesn’t work and will make you feel overwhelmed – you must create structure and activities).
The day or two before a test is when you should be quizzing yourself to make sure you’re able to recall the information and then study only what you’re finding you aren’t able to recall when you “grade” your practice test.
4. Create practice tests!
I allude to this above and it is the MOST important study activity you can do. It is my best secret to getting’s A’s (if not 100’s) on every exam. About 3 or 4 days before the exam once you’ve reviewed create a practice test. By now you should have a basic idea of the style of your professor’s exams.
Create the test in a way that will force you to blindly recall the most important information you need to know for the test. The act of creating the test will seep the information deep into your brain. Then, when you take the test and then grade yourself you will see what information has stuck and which information you need to study more – then you just focus on that.
5. Visit your professor.
Once you’ve done an initial review and at least 3 to 4 days before the exam visit your professor during office hours with a few questions to clarify the information you are going to be tested on. Even if you think you know it all think of something to ask your professor about. You can even review with the professor the topics you’ve been studying and just confirm that you’re not missing anything. Then listen carefully. When professors talk about tests they usually reveal the most important topics if you really listen.
6. Only study in a group at the end.
When you study initially with people it can distracting. If you’re a social learner (like myself) study by yourself first and then only once you are getting 90% of your practice test correct should you meet with a study group. The study group should be for the purpose of talking about the test and reviewing the information verbally (i.e. again this is for social and verbal learners who, when talking about it/teaching it, really learn best). If you don’t learn best by talking about it out loud or teaching it then you have no need for a study group. If you need help talk to a professor, visit the tutoring center, or meet with one friend who you know has mastered that subject.
7. On the day of the exam – relax.
Eat a really great breakfast. Dress nice. Get at least 8 hours of sleep. Do not study. You should be so ready for the test that you should not need to review. Keep your mind fresh. If you’ve done everything above you will be ready. Trying to study on the day of will only make you anxious and overwhelmed. Plug in your iPod and listen to your favorite upbeat music. Blast it in your car. Take a walk around your campus before the test to get the blood pumping to your brain and to feel energized by the fresh air. Then get to class 5 minutes early, put your books under the desk, turn off your phone, and just breathe.
When everyone else is freaking out around you stay positive and don’t engage in that last minute frantic studying. Sing your favorite song in your head and tell yourself “I am going to ace this exam. I am so smart. I am so prepared. I am a great student. I am awesome at tests. I know all of this material. I am going to get 100% on this exam.”
And then you’re ready to ace your exams and walk back out to your car with the sun shining on your back, ready to put your books away for a month. Ready to enjoy the winter break. Ready to relax because you’re not worried about checking your grades – you know you got A’s. Ready to put another semester behind you and look forward to your future.
To read more about Isa's personal story& how you can build relationships to: make positive friends, be more successful in academics and work, find the right people to connect with, and access the hidden job market,grab a FREE e-copy of the first chapter of Community College Success: How to Finish with Friends, Scholarships, Internships, and the Career of Your Dreams!Claim your free copy on the Facebook page!
The number one struggle I see students face in community college academia is math. It is no surprise as in measurements of our country’s student performance in reading, science, and math that math ranks the lowest by far (and far below many other countries).
I see this manifested in the lives of students every day who just can’t seem to pass certain classes and proclaim the old adage heard in middle and high schools ‘round the world – “why do I have to learn this if I’m never going to use it in real life?”
Have you ever said or thought this? It’s okay if you have. I have too and indeed have often wondered how our educational systems are designed to prepare us for a professional world that often seems starkly different from the world of public and higher education.
The obvious truth is that we won’t use everything we learn in our educational lives. The show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader (e.g. I am not) is perfect proof of this and thus provided a lot of humor at how quickly we forget what we learn in our school-lives. However, does this mean it is purposeless?Should traditional schooling go away and should we just train for jobs and learn only exactly what we will use in our every day lives?
No.
I definitely think we need more integrated and interactive activities in education that tie the concepts to real-world problems in ways that can further increase students’ communication, critical thinking, and creative skills.
However, even though we may not be able to do fractions in the same way we could in 5th grade does not mean learning them wasn’t valuable.
And not just valuable so you could move forward in this educational system we’ve created. But valuable in and of itself.
This is the secret to getting through math classes (or for all you math geniuses – the same can apply to getting through your English classes – essentially, this is the secret to getting through any class in which you have a hard time seeing its value in your life).
What is the secret? It came from a student comment this week.
I was talking to one of my students – an aspiring computer engineer – about his struggles in his pre-calculus class. He was studying so hard and yet still struggling on the tests and couldn’t figure out why. He was trying so hard but was still having trouble getting higher than a C.
I asked him, like I ask all my students when they are really struggling with a class, if that class is an important part of their future major/career (e.g. if you’re ever struggling really hard with a class that plays a big part in your future major/career and will continue to build upon itself as you progress in your educational plan it might be a good time to reconsider your major).
First he said that no, he was not going to need to build upon calculus in his ed plan nor have to use it in his future career. And what he said next was an epiphany to me – the secret to getting through classes to which you don’t see a point.
He said – “I think they [they meaning the people who build curriculum for future computer engineers] want me to take pre-calculus because they want me to be able to think in computer engineering the way I have to think in order to solve calculus problems.
Genius.
This, to me, is IT. This is the secret. Disappointed that I didn’t give you some secret formula guaranteed to make math suddenly easy? Well guess what, I did :)
Because when you change your attitude, you change your life. And your attitude towards your class subjects affects your grades more than you realize.
Especially in the first two years of college when you have to meet general education requirements we all have those classes that we just don’t care for, the classes we just don’t see the point in, the classes we wonder like we started to wonder in 7th grade – why do I have learn this if I’m never going to use it in my life?
You’re not going to love every subject and that is okay. But you can love and appreciate every class. How do I know? Because I did.
Sure there were some classes that drove me crazy at times. And I wasn’t some book nerd who just loved school and nothing but school so help me library. I just learned to love and appreciate and value the opportunity I had to sharpen my mental skills.
I knew 100% that I would never use the formulas I learned in chemistry in my life (I just tried for 3 minutes to remember the name of the formula I was thinking of and couldn’t….). But I felt great pride in learning something new about the world, becoming a well-rounded person, gaining a better understanding of how interconnected all areas of knowledge are, and sharpening my skills to think scientifically. While I’ll never do the experiments I did in lab I use the scientific method all the time in my day-to-day life without realizing it.
Every class offers you an opportunity to become more intelligent, to use different parts of your brain, to discover all kinds of subjects in order to narrow in on what you most enjoy and what you are best at, and sharpen your mental capacity so that you can develop the extremely high level of critical thinking, communication, and creative skills that our new knowledge economy demands for success and financial stability.
I’ll never forget how my perception of education shifted after reading a book in one of my college classes called The Lost Boys of Sudan. The non-fiction book chronicled the journeys of young men from their war-ridden countries to America. This book deeply impacted me because it shared the young men’s fervent desires to get an education, to learn. To them, education was gold. Education was the highest honor. Education was the greatest gift.
Though our country is struggling in many ways right now it is easy to forget how blessed we are. It’s easy to forget how few get the privilege of sitting in those math classes. As a woman, it’s easy for me to forget that if I had been born 200 years ago I would not have even been seen as someone worth educating.
It’s easy for these facts to become just dusty parts of a boring history class. But if you let them become real, you will find that despite the immense struggles I know you face every day your attitude of thankfulness and appreciation for your education will help you thrive in every class and in every endeavor.
A change in attitude can change your life.
And even if you have to pause for a second when a student asks you what 200 divided by 4 is (yes…happened to me 2 days ago), you can still be proud of your grades in math and appreciate the importance of the subject in all of our lives – because even if you won’t use it every day, someone will, and they never would have known it if they hadn’t had to take that class.
4 things I’m dying to share with you that can’t wait until Monday
Okay – so there are actually 75 tips (but I'm only sharing 4) – and they all come from the best-selling and most amazing college success book by Cal Newport (who wrote the book not too long after he graduated college).
Cal writes the blog Study Hacks and his book How to Win at College is a best-seller. I have been wanting to check it out for a while now and after a student asked me to review and share the best college success books I knew I had to start with this one.
It’s a short read which many of you will love (I read it in one day) and it is jam-packed with the best college success tips from real students who have managed to build outstanding college resumes, win the best scholarships/awards, maintain incredible grades, and have a great and relatively stress-free college experience.
The secrets to your best and most rewarding college experience are in this book.
There are some books you read where with every page turn your brain goes wow. Wow. WOW. WOW!!! And if you put those "wow moments" into action your life changes dramatically. This will happen to you with this book.
And then there are some books that explain things you always thought or did but weren’t sure if they were also applicable to others. Since I was a successful college student who wasn’t a high IQ-genius and always wondered why other students were stressing so much when I turned the pages of this book my brain went yes. Yes. YES. YES!!!
It was so exciting to realize that I am right when I tell my students to never pull all-nighters, to relax before a test, and to dress nicely. Of the 75 tips in How to Win at College I did all 75 throughout my community college and university experience. And those tips directly led to all of my successes without the stresses. I don't share this to brag but to let you know that this works and that YOU can be a stand-out student no matter where you are in your life right now.
There are many of the tips you may be doing already too. But if you’re not earning all A’s, if you often feel stressed, if college seems so hard, if you’re not getting invited to the top honors societies/programs, and/or if you aren’t winning scholarships and awards then this book can change your life and will show you how to easily do all of these things.
And it’s not about being a super-genuis. And it’s not about being a book nerd locked up in the library. It’s easier and more amazing than you think.
So as I was reading I tried to pick my top 4 favorite tips for the Weekend 4Cast and ended up with 16. So hard to choose! But alas I did choose because you need to get the book yourself to find out about all of these life-changing tips.
1 – Tip #9 Be the president of a club –
Cal says it best: “losing students don’t think they have enough time to be involved with extracurricular organizations. Average students join extracurricular organizations. And winning students run extracurricular organizations” (p. 25).
I never thought I could run an organization, but after trying a smaller position first and coaxing from the amazing friends I made I decided to run. Being the President of Phi Theta Kappa was the most incredible experience and let to my first airplane ride and winning the $110,000 Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. You can run a club. It’s not as hard as you think. And you’ll find it can actually be quite fun.
2 – Tip #12 Avoiding daily to-do lists –
What?! I know – right? This seems crazy at first but it makes total sense. Cal suggests instead of to-do lists that often make you feel like you can never get it all done in a day that you schedule your day using time blocks. I won’t give his secret away here but I will recommend my favorite tool for blocking out time for specific tasks/projects: Google Calendar. Free, easy, and amazing! You can also set SMS reminders so your phone will remind you when you have to do something or when projects are due.
3 – Tip #54 Take your ambition to the next level –
In this tip Cal encourages you to think about “defying the norm” and how to evaluate if what you are doing right now will lead to earning the best awards, scholarships, and jobs (p.135). This tip resonated with me because my mission statement is to help students to not get comfortable with average, to realize they are so much more than average, and to motivate them to rise above average.
That voice in our head saying we can’t do something is powerful. Just as powerful, however, is the voice that tells you that you can. Often we need others to remind us of that voice. To remind us that we are worthy, that we have potential to do more than we think. But we can’t always rely on others. Crush that negative voice in your head with YOUR voice.
4 – Tip #57 Never skip class –
Whenever I hear a student saying “I’m gonna skip class” I plug my ears and go lalalalala as a joke and then tell them to GO TO CLASS. It shocks me how often students skip class and how they don’t think it is a big deal. Class is where you learn what material is important to the professor, have the ability to ask questions to make sure you understand the material, and where you take the most important notes that will help you on exams. Attending every class will make your life easier and grades higher.
So in conclusion, buy this book. But of course you must do more than shell out $6.77. You must read it. And then - you must do it.
I will never recommend something that I don’t 100% believe will positively impact your life. I care about you too much to ever encourage you to spend your money on anything that wouldn’t give you 10 times the investment in return. This is worth the investment. Read this book and let me know what tips you used and how they impacted your college life at isa@communitycollegesuccess.com
“Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.” –V.Kiam
I recently had one of my readers, Maya*, ask me to write about procrastination. Now I’ll be honest with you, (please don’t hate me), when I was in college I was that girl who had her paper written at least a week before the due date. I always did things way ahead of time, and never stressed about homework. Seriously, never.
And no I’m not some huge super-nerd.
I just felt so accomplished after getting things done early, and chased that feeling. And doing things ahead of time ensured I never had to turn down hanging out with friends, never did homework past 8pm, and always turned in the high quality work that only time can produce. This recipe ensured many 100% on essays and tests, and A’s for life.
Yep, I mostly got 100’s on my tests. And trust me, I’m not a super genius (see my SAT/ACT/GRE scores). However, if I can study for a test I will ace it. And I will not give up my social life. And I will enjoy the process. And you can too.
So if you’re still reading and haven’t gagged in your hatred of my non-procrastination I thank you. I only say all this because I want to help those who want to end their procrastinating ways.
Maya is one of those rare and wonderful students who actually want to their overcome their procrastination. And I’m guessing you’re one of those too or you wouldn’t have gotten this far.
Maya asked me about tips to help her stay motivated and not procrastinate, and explained one of the issues she struggles most with is:
“I find excuses why I don't have to study right at that moment. It's like I trick myself into believing that I'll eventually get it done and it'll be fine, but it never is. Because of this, I end up just giving up on trying to get things done on time because I feel like such a disappointment when I give myself goals that I don't accomplish.”
Maya is not a lazy slacker. She obviously wants to succeed and wants to accomplish her goals, but her motivation dies in the middle of the semester and she said she finds herself still cramming at the last minute, especially in the midst of the disappointment she feels when she doesn’t meet her goals.
So below are my top 10 tips for Maya and for you to stop procrastination from limiting your life and your potential. 1. Analyze the consequences
What are you procrastinating that’s actually limiting your life, draining your energy, and keeping you from a 4.0? If you procrastinate picking your clothes up off your bedroom floor but it doesn’t bother you, then it’s not really a big deal. However, if you aren’t getting the grades you want, missing opportunities, or disappointing yourself and others, then it’s time to seriously change your habits. 2. Know your excuses
Pay attention to the excuses you make to continue your procrastination. Excuses are those little voices inside your head that tell you it’s okay to put something off. Recognize any of these?
“I work best under pressure”
“I’m too tired”
“I’m not in the mood”
“I’ll do it tomorrow”
“Procrastination is a natural part of college”
“I can write this paper in one draft”
“I’ll live with a C”
“I won’t get an A anyway so why bother”
“This won’t take that long – I’ll have plenty of time later”
“I’ll start this after…”
“This won’t be that hard”
“I’ll eventually get it done – I always do”
I’m sure you could add many more to this list. Notice your excuses and label them as excuses, not comforts. Stop that little voice and replace it with action.3. Take control
When you procrastinate you may think you are controlling your homework by putting it off until the last minute, but in reality, when you procrastinate your homework controls you. Deciding to complete a project ahead of time allows you to control the timeline and your grade. 4. Break it down
The first thing I do when I consult with students about time management and procrastination is for them to show me their to do list (if they even have one). Most lists say things like “English essay” or “read Huckleberry Finn” This is the worst possible way you could write a to do list.
First of all, if you look at “English essay” all you’re going to think is “ugh I do not want to write a whole essay right now.” It is much easier to begin a task if it says “write 1pg. English essay outline.”
All projects should be broken down and divided over a timeline you create (i.e. you are in control, and you can create pressure for yourself if you do work best under pressure). But of course, tasks can only be broken down if you create your plan AS SOON AS YOU GET AN ASSIGNMENT.
Every item should start with a verb (e.g. write, read, outline, do) and then be as SPECIFIC as possible and represent a task that would take you no more than 2 hours. So for example, “read Huckleberry Finn” should be: “Monday: read pgs 1-30 in Huckleberry Finn.” Suddenly this task doesn’t seem so daunting. 5. Schedule study time in a productive environment
Especially when you commute to college your instinct is to schedule your classes as close together as possible so you can drive, go to class, and then leave. Resist this urge and schedule your classes far apart and make that time your designated daily study time.
Find a great spot in the library (avoid studying in your room at all costs), sit down and create a to do list JUST for that scheduled time, do NOT open Facebook, and then don’t stop until the time is finished.
6. Stay motivated
Maya mentioned she knows breaking tasks down and time management are important, but she finds what is most difficult for her is maintaining momentum and motivation through the end of the semester. She makes plans to get ahead and then falls behind and then feels so disappointed.
To stay motivated, write out your short and long term goals for your life and post them on the inside of your binder or book. Remind yourself why you’re in school and where you want to go in lifeconstantly. If you don’t have that clear picture yet, start searching now.
If you don’t have a clear goal and are not excited about what school is going to help you accomplish, then it will be almost impossible to muster up motivation to do things ahead of time.7. Be accountable Get a mentor or a friend to keep you accountable with your procrastination during a semester. Buddy up with someone in your class. Find a college adviser or mentor and tell them your goals for overcoming procrastination and ask them to follow up with you.
Surround yourself with people who care about school and who do not take pride in procrastinating. These kind of people will help you stay motivated and will not distract you.
8. Don’t be hard on yourself
Maya said she often felt disappointed in herself when she didn’t reach her short-term anti-procrastination goals. Don't be too hard on yourself – it doesn’t work and only serves to deflate your motivation even further.
Do not punish yourself, but instead when you find yourself cramming and are wondering how you got there, make a plan to avoid this next time. Figure out what went wrong and instead of slapping yourself on the wrist, promise yourself you’ll implement a new plan for the next test. And when you do, reward yourself and compliment yourself. 9. Take one day at a time
Remember procrastination is a habit and like all habits it is hard to beat it overnight. However, you’ll never beat it if you don’t start today.
10. Eat That Frog
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy is one of the best books on procrastination. You can preview the concept in this short 1:28 video and/or buy the book here.In short, Tracy says you should do the hardest thing you have to do as early as possible because it will give you huge dose of energy. If you had a frog on your plate and just ate it and got it over with, you would be able to enjoy the rest of your meal. However, if you put it off, it will drain your energy and you will slowly be filled with dread and stress. Stress causes so many problems, and believe it or not, college does not have to be stressful. In fact, done right, it shouldn’t be stressful. If it is, talk to someone and change your habits. Thanks Maya – I hope this helps!
