How to Beat Procrastination and Stay Focused at Uni from Day One?
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Reply 1
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hiya @n33d2know ,
my top tip would be to keep a calendar, be it physical or digital, and make a realistic weekly plan that you can stick with. Personally, I like to keep track of all my deadlines, assignments, social life, and meal times on a google calendar, allocating time in advance for both work and rest is important to stay motivated throughout uni 🤗
I like to maximise my time on campus and tend to stay in the library or get a study buddy to keep me accountable when it is time to work 🙂
That said, it is also important to socialise and develop yourself outside of your studies at uni! Make time to go for societies, uni events and forge new friendships 😚 I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your uni journey ahead.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Reply 2
my top tip would be to keep a calendar, be it physical or digital, and make a realistic weekly plan that you can stick with. Personally, I like to keep track of all my deadlines, assignments, social life, and meal times on a google calendar, allocating time in advance for both work and rest is important to stay motivated throughout uni 🤗
I like to maximise my time on campus and tend to stay in the library or get a study buddy to keep me accountable when it is time to work 🙂
That said, it is also important to socialise and develop yourself outside of your studies at uni! Make time to go for societies, uni events and forge new friendships 😚 I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your uni journey ahead.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Hello. I don't have a very good history with following time tables but I feel like the calender option is a bit for flexible. I have a feeling the idea of having a study buddy will work too! I will definitely try joining societies as I believe it's one of the most fun things to do at uni. Thank you for the advice!
Reply 3
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hi! This is something that myself and a lot of people I know have struggled with when coming to uni. My two main pieces of advice are, firstly don't be too hard on yourself. The worst thing to do in this situation is to beat yourself up every time you fail to be productive. Instead it's better to focus on accepting those times when you maybe don't get the things done that you wanted to, and then forgiving yourself, moving on, and consistently trying to get better and better at it. It's not realistic to get to uni and suddenly be incredible at staying on top of things, but if you consistently work at it, you'll be able to get there. My second bit of advice is to look into the academic support that your uni offers. I'm not sure what will be available to you, but at Falmouth University for example, we have academic support staff that is separate to your course teaching staff. You can book in with them and they will help you will study skills and techniques for meeting deadlines, time management, etc. So definitely look into what your uni has to offer!
Reply 4
Thank you for this I didn't know universities had such thing as academic support staff I'll definitely be looking into it!
Reply 5
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hey @n33d2know , I hope you are doing great! Honestly, this is a great mindset to have and one I struggled to get myself, but fortunately I made it 😂. So I will be honest with you.
A big mindset shift that helped me:
The biggest thing that helped me was not motivation, it was actually systems. I realised that motivation is undependable because it comes and goes. Uni is long, systems are what carry you when motivation disappears.
So instead of thinking, "How do I feel motivated enough to start?" I told myself, "How do I make starting so small it's almost impossible not to?"
How I started:
•
I started small. Instead of forcing myself to just jump right into it, I would tell myself that I will open the document, read one title and spend just ten minutes planning. I realised that once I started, I kept going.
•
I treated Uni like a flexible job. I just showed up consistently even when it was low quality work because it still beats doing nothing!
•
I started doing assignments when they were set and not due. This was a game changer but also the hardest one. As soon as the assignment is released, I read the brief, write a rough plan and start a skeleton document. This helps to already process what is needed and reduces last minute panic
•
I stopped trying to do everything at once. I split into sessions. So one for planning/thinking, another for writing, another for editing
•
I changed my environment. So things like studying in the library instead of my room, leaving my phone in another room or studying with other people
•
I stayed organised without making it overwhelming for myself
•
Remind yourself that you do not need to do everything, you just need to do something. Even 20 minutes counts, reading one page counts!
Remember, procrastination does not mean you are lazy or incapable. I learnt that it usually means you are overwhelmed, scared of getting it wrong or do not know where to start. And fortunately, all these are fixable skills and uni is actually one of the best places to learn them. You won't get this perfect from week one, but it is all about progress not perfection. You have absolutely got this 🙂
Ru
BCU student rep.
Reply 6
A big mindset shift that helped me:
The biggest thing that helped me was not motivation, it was actually systems. I realised that motivation is undependable because it comes and goes. Uni is long, systems are what carry you when motivation disappears.
So instead of thinking, "How do I feel motivated enough to start?" I told myself, "How do I make starting so small it's almost impossible not to?"
How I started:
•
I started small. Instead of forcing myself to just jump right into it, I would tell myself that I will open the document, read one title and spend just ten minutes planning. I realised that once I started, I kept going.
•
I treated Uni like a flexible job. I just showed up consistently even when it was low quality work because it still beats doing nothing!
•
I started doing assignments when they were set and not due. This was a game changer but also the hardest one. As soon as the assignment is released, I read the brief, write a rough plan and start a skeleton document. This helps to already process what is needed and reduces last minute panic
•
I stopped trying to do everything at once. I split into sessions. So one for planning/thinking, another for writing, another for editing
•
I changed my environment. So things like studying in the library instead of my room, leaving my phone in another room or studying with other people
•
I stayed organised without making it overwhelming for myself
•
Remind yourself that you do not need to do everything, you just need to do something. Even 20 minutes counts, reading one page counts!
Remember, procrastination does not mean you are lazy or incapable. I learnt that it usually means you are overwhelmed, scared of getting it wrong or do not know where to start. And fortunately, all these are fixable skills and uni is actually one of the best places to learn them. You won't get this perfect from week one, but it is all about progress not perfection. You have absolutely got this 🙂
Ru
BCU student rep.
Thank you so much for the detailed insights!! These tips are giving me some hope that uni won't be as hectic and disorganised as my A levels were. I'll try follow these tips and you're right, I usually end up getting alot done when I start literally anything. I'll try to keep that in mind. Thanks again!
Reply 7
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hi there,
I also struggle with procrastinating, less so now that I am at uni than I was during my A Levels and this is a good think to try and stop from the start of your university experience, so I wanted to add some of my tips to some of the great ones you have received already:
•
Firstly, I would say to try and set a routine for yourself from the beginning. When you get your timetable, work out which days you will be free and also when you have other commitments such as work, societies etc and then you will be able to clearly see which days you have free to do work when you need to. This always helps me as you don't feel like you have to do something every day as you have specific days to do it.
•
As soon as you get your assignments, write down all of the key dates - so the deadlines and if there are any chances for formative feedback write these in too as these are all milestones that you need to know. You can then plan around these to make sure everything is done at the right times and it all gets given in on time.
•
If you ever struggle with anything in terms of the work and understanding things, make sure you ask your tutors straight away as I find if I don't I end up leaving the work until the last minute as I don't understand it which puts me off from starting it.
•
Make sure you have lots of fun things planned around your work as you want to enjoy yourself and I always find I am more productive when I have fun things to do too as well as work as it makes the work seem less bad!
•
Make sure you are attending your lectures and seminars as this will keep you in your routine which is important and will also ensure you don't miss any information about assignments etc.
•
When you finish a lesson if you don't have anything to do straight away, try and stay at uni for an hour. I am always more productive at uni so if I stay for an hour or so after a lecture I get something done rather than going home and getting distracted.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy - SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 8
I also struggle with procrastinating, less so now that I am at uni than I was during my A Levels and this is a good think to try and stop from the start of your university experience, so I wanted to add some of my tips to some of the great ones you have received already:
•
Firstly, I would say to try and set a routine for yourself from the beginning. When you get your timetable, work out which days you will be free and also when you have other commitments such as work, societies etc and then you will be able to clearly see which days you have free to do work when you need to. This always helps me as you don't feel like you have to do something every day as you have specific days to do it.
•
As soon as you get your assignments, write down all of the key dates - so the deadlines and if there are any chances for formative feedback write these in too as these are all milestones that you need to know. You can then plan around these to make sure everything is done at the right times and it all gets given in on time.
•
If you ever struggle with anything in terms of the work and understanding things, make sure you ask your tutors straight away as I find if I don't I end up leaving the work until the last minute as I don't understand it which puts me off from starting it.
•
Make sure you have lots of fun things planned around your work as you want to enjoy yourself and I always find I am more productive when I have fun things to do too as well as work as it makes the work seem less bad!
•
Make sure you are attending your lectures and seminars as this will keep you in your routine which is important and will also ensure you don't miss any information about assignments etc.
•
When you finish a lesson if you don't have anything to do straight away, try and stay at uni for an hour. I am always more productive at uni so if I stay for an hour or so after a lecture I get something done rather than going home and getting distracted.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy - SHU student ambassador 🙂
Thanks alot for the tips Lucy! I can relate to some of these but I've never tried any of these techniques before, except I've always been bad with following timetables but apart from that I'll try my best. Thanks again for the advice!
Reply 9
Don't have too many big nights out!
Reply 10
Don't have too many big nights out!
I never have night outs cuz I'm an introvert so that's not a concern. I'm applying for pharmacy though, I don't know how intense the schedule is for it but either way I know for a fact if I let things and deadlines pass content will build up so fast like A levels 😭
Reply 11
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hey @n33d2know
First of all, it’s great that you’re already thinking about this before uni starts as that mindset will honestly help you so much.
A lot of us have struggled with procrastination before, so you’re definitely not alone. What I’ve personally found really helpful is using the Pomodoro method. This is where you set a 25-minute timer, focus just on one task, then take a 5-minute break. It makes studying feel way less overwhelming because you’re only committing to 25 minutes, not “hours of work.” I know some people adapt it slightly too, for example, they do 30 minutes of work and a 10 minute break.
Another thing that really helps me is just starting small. If an assignment feels daunting, I’ll tell myself I only have to write one sentence or open the document and plan one bullet point. Most of the time, once you start, you naturally end up doing more than you expected. Starting is usually the hardest part.
A few other things that can help:
•
Breaking assignments into mini-deadlines (e.g. research done by X date, plan done by Y date)
•
Using a calendar or planner to map out deadlines early (I just use my phone calendar then set a reminder for a few weeks before to make sure im on track to finish on time).
•
Studying somewhere you associate with work (library, specific desk space)
•
Doing “low effort” tasks on low-energy days so you still keep momentum
•
Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect 100% of the time, as sometimes the pressure can be counterproductive and mean you can overlook the smaller wins.
You’re already on the right track by being proactive, so I'm sure you'll smash it!
Good luck with everything.
From Cara (2nd year Marketing student)
Reply 12
First of all, it’s great that you’re already thinking about this before uni starts as that mindset will honestly help you so much.
A lot of us have struggled with procrastination before, so you’re definitely not alone. What I’ve personally found really helpful is using the Pomodoro method. This is where you set a 25-minute timer, focus just on one task, then take a 5-minute break. It makes studying feel way less overwhelming because you’re only committing to 25 minutes, not “hours of work.” I know some people adapt it slightly too, for example, they do 30 minutes of work and a 10 minute break.
Another thing that really helps me is just starting small. If an assignment feels daunting, I’ll tell myself I only have to write one sentence or open the document and plan one bullet point. Most of the time, once you start, you naturally end up doing more than you expected. Starting is usually the hardest part.
A few other things that can help:
•
Breaking assignments into mini-deadlines (e.g. research done by X date, plan done by Y date)
•
Using a calendar or planner to map out deadlines early (I just use my phone calendar then set a reminder for a few weeks before to make sure im on track to finish on time).
•
Studying somewhere you associate with work (library, specific desk space)
•
Doing “low effort” tasks on low-energy days so you still keep momentum
•
Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect 100% of the time, as sometimes the pressure can be counterproductive and mean you can overlook the smaller wins.
You’re already on the right track by being proactive, so I'm sure you'll smash it!
Good luck with everything.
From Cara (2nd year Marketing student)
Thank you so much! I'm taking notes of all these 😊
Reply 13
I’m starting university later this year and I really want to take my degree seriously from the very beginning.
I’ve always struggled with procrastination and leaving things until the last minute, but I’m hoping to break that habit at uni. I want to stay consistent, keep on top of assignments, and manage my time well — but I know that won’t be easy.
If anyone has been through this and found ways to manage it, I’d love to hear your advice. How do you stay motivated when it’s hard to get started? What kind of routines or habits helped you stay on track? Did anything in particular help you stay organised and meet deadlines more easily? Also, are there any tools or strategies you found useful for staying focused?
I’d really appreciate any tips or personal experiences. I want to get things right from the start and avoid falling behind.
Thanks so much!
Hi @n33d2know ,
I hear you, procrastination is so annoying, and I relate to it so much! I often find myself thinking, "Yeah, I’ll do that in a bit," and then 30 minutes later, I realise I haven't even started. 😂
It’s a bad habit of mine, but I try to avoid it as much as I can by focusing on the end goal.
Usually, I tell myself, "Let me study now, and then I can watch a film later." My routine is to study for one module for about an hour, take a break, and then resume in the evening for another module or assignment. Even when I feel really lazy, I just push myself, even if it’s only for 30 minutes, I can still get a lot done!
Starting university is a big step, and it’s great that you want to get things right from day one. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
•
The "Two-Minute" Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, like checking a reading list, do it immediately so small things don't pile up.
•
Separate Work and Relax Spaces: Try to avoid studying in bed; going to the library or a specific desk helps your brain stay in a "productive" zone.
•
Use Campus Resources: Most universities have skills teams that run workshops on time management. Don't wait until you're struggling to check them out!
Hope this helps! 😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Reply 14
I hear you, procrastination is so annoying, and I relate to it so much! I often find myself thinking, "Yeah, I’ll do that in a bit," and then 30 minutes later, I realise I haven't even started. 😂
It’s a bad habit of mine, but I try to avoid it as much as I can by focusing on the end goal.
Usually, I tell myself, "Let me study now, and then I can watch a film later." My routine is to study for one module for about an hour, take a break, and then resume in the evening for another module or assignment. Even when I feel really lazy, I just push myself, even if it’s only for 30 minutes, I can still get a lot done!
Starting university is a big step, and it’s great that you want to get things right from day one. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
•
The "Two-Minute" Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, like checking a reading list, do it immediately so small things don't pile up.
•
Separate Work and Relax Spaces: Try to avoid studying in bed; going to the library or a specific desk helps your brain stay in a "productive" zone.
•
Use Campus Resources: Most universities have skills teams that run workshops on time management. Don't wait until you're struggling to check them out!
Hope this helps! 😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Love this mindset! Thank you!
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