Get yourself a clean slate, don't procrastinate!

We all have heard the term procrastinate throughout our education many times in our lives. Procrastinating, or waiting until the last minute to do something, is usually an unsuccesfull way to go about doing your work or studying for tests. Often, procrastinating can lead to late, tired, and frustrating nights. It is not good for your health.

I have to admit that I am probably one of the worst procrastinators there is. I have started papers at 1 am in the morning, and the paper is due in that class at 11 that morning, and I will stay up all night trying to finish it. I have done this multiple times. Thanks to C.L.S. I have realized it is time to change my ways. The strategy I have used to do this is REWARDS. The rewards strategy is great for me because If I procrastinate, I will never get my reward, and I usually reallly want that reward. For example take a look at the image to see how I use this strategy.

As you can see I have a sociology paper due, and my reward for getting it done is watching the Knicks game. For me, this strategy works extremely well because I consider myself one of the biggest Knicks fans around. I never miss a game. If i do not get my essay done, I will have to miss the game, as hard as it may be for me. So, this really motivates me to not procrastinate, and get my essay done sooner so I can watch the game. Also, I will get a good nights sleep because I will not be up all night, which is healthier for my body then what I was previously doing. This is important because as someone wise once said "your body is your temple."

Luckily for me, I got my essay done in time to watch the Knicks game, and then I got a good night sleep. The reward strategy worked great for me. I am a visual and kinesthetic learner, and this strategy worked great for me because I had written down what I needed to do and saw it next to me, and completed my essay, even though I feel as if this strategy should work for any type of learner you are.

I hope I helped you out if you suffer from severe procrastination like I used to. It is important however to make sure your rewards are severe enough that if you do not get them, it will bother you, because this will make sure you do not procrastinate. Once again I hope I helped, and GOOD LUCK AVOIDING PROCRASTINATION!

Sick of staying up late?...Then don’t procrastinate!

I have always been a procrastinator. I certainly am not a chronic procrastinator, but I do tend to put things off until the last minute. My level of procrastination depends on the assignment and how busy I am that week. I tend to have this cycle that I always repeat. This cycle includes waiting until the last minute, which is usually about 2 a.m. then I begin my homework which leaves me tired the next day, so I take a nap before I begin my work and I click the snooze bar many times and end up starting my work at 2 a.m. the next day also! I procrastinate in every class. I always feel that I cannot complete my assignemtns when I am tired and I sometimes try but end up falling asleep while doing them. I do procrastinate on everything but I always finish my work, therefore I spend some pretty late nights.

Since we have already discussed chunking the task and 10-minute technique, I decided to try a new technique.

I chose to use the Rewards method.

How do you use it?

Choose homework assignments that need to be completed then make a reward for when they are completed. This motivates people considering the reward is desired, It makes the goal seem more achievable, especially when it is split into steps with separate rewards. The reward must be something that you only allow yourself to have if you complete the task, otherwise the method is not working.

How did I use it?

I went to the library three nights in a row to complete two assignments. I used this to write my Phi 107 paper and to write my Human Sexuality (CFS 388) paper which were both due on Thursday. I made a chart and separated my chart into days and the assignments into small chunks and once each was completed I listed a reward that I would do before going back to the next portions of my assignments. I color coordinated the chart to show which class is which. I made charts because I am a visual learner and prefer to see things in this way.

How did I choose my rewards?

I use coffee to keep me focused and I love coffee, therefore it was a legitimate reward choice that I placed early in my evening so it would be desired as well as helpful for the rest of the evening. I go to the library with friends so I try not to get distracted by them, so I set aside some reward time for my friends, as well as the infamous distraction-Facebook! I also enjoy listening to my ipod, so my motivation to complete the entire assignment is to walk home listening to it.