What's the best and the worst thing about being able to do your work at home? Well, of course it's the fact that you don't have anyone watching over you, seeing how you are spending your time and generally making sure you're doing what you're supposed to be doing!
As a student, you know there are deadlines coming up (and hopefully you are aware of them), but unless they are coming up really soon (like when something is due tomorrow) there is a good chance you're in a state of total relaxation. But why is that?
When there are no due dates and no negative consequences for not completing tasks then there's also no reason to be hard on yourself, is there? Everyone knows that you should live a life you love right? No reason to spend your time doing things you don't enjoy! Time to live it up! And don't feel bad if you do feel that way because it's totally natural and life is definitely to be enjoyed.
But with this attitude also comes a feeling that "I really should be getting on to that task" and that's a natural response as well. It can really spoil a good time when you know there is something else you should be getting done. It really sucks the life out of the fun! So instead of doing that, we suggest you get the work done first and then you can party like its 1999! There's not a care in the world once the task is done is there? So here are five tips that will help take you to the top.
Tip number one. Just in case you hadn't noticed, you're not perfect! Sorry if that is upsetting to you, but you're not. Nothing you do is perfect and nothing you ever do will be perfect. Ouch! You may be amazing, outstanding and incredible but perfection should not be your ambition because it's a standard that can't be managed. It's fine to make mistakes, it is fine to fail and it's fine to not be perfect. That's just life so get over it and get the work done!
Tip number two. Tasks always appear huge at first and that's why you break them up into smaller tasks. You would really think this one would be self-explanatory! Nobody says "I am going to build a house" and then starts hammering a nail into some wood and then all of a sudden the house is built. There is so much more involved than that. You need to look at the big task as a series of much smaller tasks and then start working on those. Soon you will find you are half way done and that big task is now much smaller than it first seemed! But the most important thing is to make a start.
Tip number three. An accountability buddy will do wonders for you. Find someone who will agree to kick your butt, hound you until you do what you said you would do, and never give up on you - then agree to hold each other accountable for whatever goals you are both trying to achieve. Please note: do not select someone who is also a procrastinator! That just spells trouble. You are hundreds of time more likely to take action when someone else is holding you accountable - so if you can find someone definitely do it!
Tip number four. Give yourself little rewards along the way for tasks completed. If you do 30 minutes of homework take 15 minutes off. Why? Well it will re-charge your batteries and it's far better than doing no work at all. If you complete your assignment before its due date then shout yourself a night off! Don't become some sort of study martyr who just studies all day every day. When you do a good job you ought to be rewarded. So reward yourself!
Tip number five. Identify distractions and do something about them. You would already know what your major distractions are so it's really up to you to make a choice about what is more important. If you spend 30 minutes doing some work each night from Monday to Friday you will have completed 2.5 hours of work. That's an extra 130 hours a year. Honestly, what could you get done in 130 hours? Focus for short periods of time can result in massive pay offs later.
Whatever you do, just remember that you are ultimately responsible for all of your outcomes and only you can change your life. Good luck!
As a student, you know there are deadlines coming up (and hopefully you are aware of them), but unless they are coming up really soon (like when something is due tomorrow) there is a good chance you're in a state of total relaxation. But why is that?
When there are no due dates and no negative consequences for not completing tasks then there's also no reason to be hard on yourself, is there? Everyone knows that you should live a life you love right? No reason to spend your time doing things you don't enjoy! Time to live it up! And don't feel bad if you do feel that way because it's totally natural and life is definitely to be enjoyed.
But with this attitude also comes a feeling that "I really should be getting on to that task" and that's a natural response as well. It can really spoil a good time when you know there is something else you should be getting done. It really sucks the life out of the fun! So instead of doing that, we suggest you get the work done first and then you can party like its 1999! There's not a care in the world once the task is done is there? So here are five tips that will help take you to the top.
Tip number one. Just in case you hadn't noticed, you're not perfect! Sorry if that is upsetting to you, but you're not. Nothing you do is perfect and nothing you ever do will be perfect. Ouch! You may be amazing, outstanding and incredible but perfection should not be your ambition because it's a standard that can't be managed. It's fine to make mistakes, it is fine to fail and it's fine to not be perfect. That's just life so get over it and get the work done!
Tip number two. Tasks always appear huge at first and that's why you break them up into smaller tasks. You would really think this one would be self-explanatory! Nobody says "I am going to build a house" and then starts hammering a nail into some wood and then all of a sudden the house is built. There is so much more involved than that. You need to look at the big task as a series of much smaller tasks and then start working on those. Soon you will find you are half way done and that big task is now much smaller than it first seemed! But the most important thing is to make a start.
Tip number three. An accountability buddy will do wonders for you. Find someone who will agree to kick your butt, hound you until you do what you said you would do, and never give up on you - then agree to hold each other accountable for whatever goals you are both trying to achieve. Please note: do not select someone who is also a procrastinator! That just spells trouble. You are hundreds of time more likely to take action when someone else is holding you accountable - so if you can find someone definitely do it!
Tip number four. Give yourself little rewards along the way for tasks completed. If you do 30 minutes of homework take 15 minutes off. Why? Well it will re-charge your batteries and it's far better than doing no work at all. If you complete your assignment before its due date then shout yourself a night off! Don't become some sort of study martyr who just studies all day every day. When you do a good job you ought to be rewarded. So reward yourself!
Tip number five. Identify distractions and do something about them. You would already know what your major distractions are so it's really up to you to make a choice about what is more important. If you spend 30 minutes doing some work each night from Monday to Friday you will have completed 2.5 hours of work. That's an extra 130 hours a year. Honestly, what could you get done in 130 hours? Focus for short periods of time can result in massive pay offs later.
Whatever you do, just remember that you are ultimately responsible for all of your outcomes and only you can change your life. Good luck!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the premier resource for learning new study skills, changing your study habits and discovering the best study tips available. We will help you change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Stop Procrastinating | Studying Tips
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