Procrastination--something that AP kids are way too familiar with. But what makes it so appealing? Is that final late night in which you know an assignment is due in 6 hours that draws your attention? Does that give an adrenaline rush? People have yet to figure out the cause of this phenomena--I mean we know the consequences all too well...but why do we keep doing it?
Time management is an extremely large issue among students today. There's no denying it- every one of us has procrastinated until the very last minute before. The important thing is to realize this and stop it.
-Creating a schedule or calendar is very crucial. It may seem obvious, and it may not seem to help, but giving yourself a time frame is good. Stick to the times that you've allowed yourself.
-Work on things between activities. There are always those times between activities in which there is a time frame you don't do anything at all. That's a good chance to work on your work. Every minute counts. Using those times wisely can add up to a great help in the future. Don’t be tempted to take those mini “breaks” in which you watch television for a few minutes. We all know that it never lasts for just a few minutes.
-Cramming for a test the night before? Try easing-up the load and study ahead of time. It's not necessary to go all out, just take in a bit at a time and commit it to memory. Taking small steps is a lot easier than trying to take one large one.
-Stay current! Don't let yourself fall behind in your studies, or you'll have a hard time trying to catch up. It's important that you go with what you learn--if you don't, you'll find yourself in a mess once you try and get things done. When you read from your textbook, be sure to make little notes on post-its or have something to write down main points. This way, when you do study, it will be a lot quicker to find the important things. Also, writing things down helps you remember more easily.
-Concentrate on your work! When you’re doing something, and trying to complete it as fast as possible, turn off anything that can be a distraction. Don’t have the TV on, or the computer, or even your cell phone. Eliminating all the distractions will allow you to really concentrate on the task at hand and finish it in a timely fashion.
-Set up a reward system if you have to. ANYTHING that can motivate you to finish, try it! It might work out, it might now. Whatever you take away from it is worth a shot. Commit yourself to something, and reward yourself with a small incentive such as a snack. Though it’s not wise to take breaks, this may be an exception if you can resist temptation.
Procrastination really gets us nowhere. Why is it that we do it? This may forever be a mystery for AP students, and a mystery that we may never be able to break.
