Louise Nice graduated in 2016, and now studies a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash University. Here, she tells us how she beat Year 12 procrastination. For more Year 12 tips, visit the ATAR Notes Forums.
When you do everything except for what you should be doing, you’re wasting precious time. This is one of the greatest traps most of us fall into when we (attempt to) study. I used to be a serial procrastinator – I didn’t study or do homework until it was nearly too late, and it caused a lot of stress in the long run. Going into Year 12, I thought to myself: “My habits have to change.” Whilst this didn’t happen immediately, I did make slight changes every so often, until it amassed into a major overhaul of how I was studying (and no, I didn’t deactivate Facebook).
Here are six easy, small changes you can make in order to reduce your own procrastination-induced stress.
1. Write down a list of things that make you procrastinate
No matter how big or small your list is, it’ll most likely help you remove such temptations. It may also help you realise that you should really stop binge-watching that new Netflix series, or playing those games on Steam, when you’re meant to be studying. I used this as a diagnostic tool to see what precisely I was doing with my time – and where exactly I could reduce my procrastination.
2. Make a list of priorities
I bought myself a decent-sized whiteboard, which inspired me to list the things I needed to get done each week. The way I set this up was from the most important (or whatever was due first) to the lowest priority tasks. My sense of urgency increased as I worked my way through the list. The benefit of that little exercise was tremendous; at the end of the week, I had more time for myself, and I felt way more relaxed and calm about my assessments.
3. Use the calendar app on your phone
This really helped get myself into gear. I purposely set reminders for SACs/tests that were upcoming that week – first seven days out, then three days, and then the day before. (For exams, I had one month, three weeks, two weeks, and then one week before the day.) This allowed me to sustain study, and kept me from putting it off later and later; those reminders showed me just how much time I had left, and encouraged me to complete homework as soon as I could. My awareness of due dates was heightened, and allowed me to adequately prepare for SACs/exams. For more time management tips, check out this thread.
4. Use browser blockers
At the start of the year, I was wasting a lot of time on Facebook and YouTube. As such, I researched different browser blockers. I eventually found StayFocusd, which is a Chrome extension. You can set it to block certain websites (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter – you get the drift) but allow others (school’s intranet, Google etc.) for a set period of time. This type of tool is particularly effective when you have to smash out an essay.
5. Turn off your phone
I know: you’ve been told this a million times. But it really does help. I know how hard it is to turn off the pocket-sized device, so I’m not saying turn it off forever. Just turn it off for an hour, and see how you go. I found switching it off for an hour or two each night to be helpful, as I wasn’t distracted by messages, emails or phone calls (which always led to procrastination). If switching off your phone isn’t viable, there are alternatives. You could try a productivity app, such as Forest. Alternatively, try a Podomoro timer, which challenges you to work for a set period, have a break, and then repeat the process. If you’re in a study group, you only need one phone!
6. The 5 minute rule
If you can’t concentrate for at least five minutes of study, take five minutes to stand up, walk around, and get a drink of water. Then get back to study. Pretty basic. This allows you to clear your mind – especially if you’ve had that tasty drink of water! When I was super preoccupied in my own thoughts, this was extremely beneficial if trying to study.
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All in all, these tips should help you to not procrastinate. Hopefully, you’ll be able to study distraction-free! You might also like to customise your study habits. Try music playing in the background, or working in a small group, or using motivational quotes. Whatever works best for you!
On a final note, try to make the most of the time you get. It’ll all be over in the blink of an eye.
If you have questions, thoughts or frustrations about your own VCE, there’s no better place than these threads: Class of 2017, Class of 2018, Class of 2019.
