Procrastination is almost synonymous to being a teenager. Things don’t get done till the very last second. Or even after that. While this maybe isn’t a problem on its own, it leads to an accumulation of tasks and often stress, especially in the last years of school, where students have a lot on their plates. Some teenagers, and later adults, function well under pressure, but for those that don’t, managing their time and tasks allows for more control of external stressors. Therefore, following some basic strategies can help develop time management and organization skills, and help get things done, without feeling overwhelmed.
In order to combat procrastination, we must first be aware that we actually do it. Developing self-awareness of when we procrastinate and our triggers, allows for better insight. It also lets us develop an understanding of how taking even the smallest action, can make us feel better about ourselves and productive.
The following steps are the basic building blocks for better organization:
- Making a list of tasks, in no particular order
- Prioritizing the tasks based on deadlines and importance
- Setting dates and times for tasks to be accomplished
- Removing distractions like phones and preparing the environment
- Scheduling breaks with rewards
- Sticking to allotted times
- Starting with the most difficult or unpleasant task
- Breaking up big tasks into “bite-size pieces”
I find that students often know these basic strategies, but still don’t use them, so I will often sit with them and write them out. It never ceases to amaze me, how that simple act of putting things on paper or writing it out in notes, can be an incentive and the first step to tackling time management issues that arise.