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How do you guys overcome Procrastination?

Let me me just keep it simple. For those in grad school how do you overcome procrastination? And what resource can you recommend for me?

Reply 1

The 5 minute rule.

You're more likely to procrastinate if you think you have enough time for a piece of work or you think it's too much work to do.
"What if I just spend 5 minutes?"
If you think you'll only do a small bit of work, the act of actually starting and breaking away from your procrastination is actually enough to keep you going. Once you've started working for 5 minutes, you'll have already began getting in the mindset to work and then perhaps you'll continue working.

Reply 2

Hey there,

Masters student and professional procrastinator here! Here are some of the best tips I've used to help with procrastination:

Split each task into smaller bite-size chunks

I found that if the task was too large, it became overwhelming and I struggled to start it

Splitting each task/assignment into smaller chunks helped because I could work on one smaller piece of it at a time


20 minute rule

Tell yourself you only need to work on something for 20 minutes

The hardest part is actually just beginning the task, so by the time 20 minutes has passed you might be more likely to work for longer as you've gotten into the groove of things

This might not work for you but I find 'tricking' my brain with this type of thing helps!


Remove distractions

I have an app on my phone called flora, where it blocks other apps from being used while it's set to focus time

I like it because for each session of 'focus time' you complete, you gain a plant and get to grow a virtual garden while you're working - it makes me want to use it more often to get a nicer garden 🤣


Hold yourself accountable with friends

If a friend is doing a similar project to you/has similar deadlines, get each of you to hold the other accountable

Set goals with each other and check in every week/few days

I find that if I tell somebody else what I'm planning to work on and when I plan to be done by, I tend to get it done

Have co-working sessions or make your own mini writing retreats with friends


I hope that helps!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)

Reply 3

Original post
by Jamesjame
Let me me just keep it simple. For those in grad school how do you overcome procrastination? And what resource can you recommend for me?

Hi there,

I thought I could just add some of my tips on procrastination on here too:

Try and schedule your day/week so that you know when you have to do work. This always helps me to be more productive during the day when I need to work as I know that I have a set amount to do that day. Having a limit of when I can stop working for the day helps me to know I am on a time limit which makes me be more productive in the time I have.


Also talking to my peers and housemates helps me to stop procrastinating too, as if I know they are doing their work, it makes me do mine too! I sometimes try and do work with them, but it depends what kind of mood I am in as to whether I am productive with others, as sometimes I am quite easily distracted and better working on my own as opposed to with others.


If there is something I don't understand, I try and ask my tutors to clarify it straight away. When I know I don't understand something, I put off doing my assignments as I know I might struggle with certain parts of it. However, if I ask my tutors for help straight away and iron out any issues, I am less likely to procrastinate.


Try and make a plan of what you need to do in terms of your work. I always make a plan of how many words I need to do, what chapters etc and if I have this, I am more likely to get on with it so I can cross some things off this list!


I know this is not the best tip, but a time limit helps me to be productive, so sometimes I will make a new deadline for myself - e.g. make a deadline for a first draft and tell people about it so you can be held accountable.


I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 4

Original post
by Jamesjame
Let me me just keep it simple. For those in grad school how do you overcome procrastination? And what resource can you recommend for me?

Hi @Jamesjame,

Staying motivated is so important and there has already been some great suggestions like the 5 minute rule and so on. Something that I learnt whilst studying was to take regular breaks. At first I thought if I have breaks I won't get back into the studying but once I started implementing regular breaks, I was able to focus and not procrastinate. Breaks allow you to stay motivated so that is something I would try and explore. The break could even be a five-ten minute walk or making a cup of tea and checking your phone. Find what works for you.

Experiment! There are various ways to study and we are all different, so different ways work for different people. Are you more of a digital calendar person to keep you organised or are you more pen and paper. I am also very visual so watching visual content allowed me to take in information easier.

Hope this helps and best wishes,
^Zac

Reply 5

Original post
by Jamesjame
Let me me just keep it simple. For those in grad school how do you overcome procrastination? And what resource can you recommend for me?

Hi there @Jamesjame ,
If you are struggling to concentrate while working on your computer, I would suggest getting an browser extension that tracks your screen time and blocks social media or entertainment platforms while you are working to help you focus 🙂
I tend to get very distracted at home so I like to work in the library and invite a friend to study/work with me. It helps to have someone keep you in check and be in an environment where you are less likely to get distracted.
Some of my friends use a Pomodoro Timer, which means 25mins work and 5mins rest 😗 I found it surprisingly helpful!
Hope this helps.

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

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