<p>it's currently 3:00 AM. I haven't done any homework all day, though I tried really hard to concentrate (didn't work).</p>
<p>help me! I'm already behind on my reading in several classes. :'( I've always been a procrastinator but pulled off decent grades in high school.</p>
<p>as far back as I can remember, I've always been late to everything (as in almost daily tardiness to school). could I have ADD/ADHD? I can sort of concentrate at night--around midnight or so--but I can't focus at all during the day.</p>
<p>feel free to post any anti-procrastination tips. and now back to that essay I should be working on...</p>
<p>I'm 48 and my wife probably wants to kill me because of my procrastination tendencies. Tips. First, don't expect a magic solution that will make this go away. Second, I'm a firm believe in ying/yang stuff ... for me I certainly procrastinate; I also continue to amaze people with my ability to do high quality work under amazing time pressue (it is the "pro" side of the same attribute of my personality). Third, do try to find a system that helps you stay organized and on schedule .. use whatever works for YOU ... it matters not one bit if some system works for someone else but not you! Finally, and this one seems counter intuitive ... I do MUCH better staying on top of things when I am so busy I have no time to think and no time to pick up the TV clicker. I have always been a procrastinator and obviously will always be one ... but I have learned what works for me and what situations to avoid that are a bad fit for me (for example, a history class with only a final and one research paper due at the end of the course ... signing up for a class like that is signing my death warrant!).</p>
<p>Often we procrastinators perform well when under the gun - and perform ONLY when under the gun...perhaps for us the adrenalin doesn't kick in until the last minute when the pressure of the upcoming deadline becomes more "real"? Of course, time management is a huge problem for many people not just those with ADD although that certainly makes it worse. The main thing is that you need to start making it a habit to plan out your time better on a daily basis--basically train yourself not to procrastinate. I find that making "to do" lists helps me stay aware of all my deadlines better, the longer my "to do" list is, the more I can accomplish because my mind visually sees everything mapped out that needs to be done.</p>
<p>So one thing you might try is to make checklists or "to do" lists each day listing your entire schedule for the day--both what you need to get done and also other activities, or things you can reward yourself with once your homework is done. Also break up your homework so you have other activities mixed in with them to give yourself a little break (but only after you have gotten the work done) for instance treat yourself to a snack after you have read 10 pp (but be realistic about how much time you might need for both school work and other activities). For tackling larger projects like reading or papers, break it down into smaller chunks of time rather than trying to read 50 pp all at one time the night before, read 10 pages at a time spread out over several days. Same with long papers, break them down into smaller chunks such as the subtopics and work on a small piece at a time each day rather than trying to write the entire thing in one day. Also note all your major deadlines and due dates (both real ones and the ones you set up for yourself such as when working on larger projects) on a large wall or desk calendar that you can also look at each day. </p>
<p>You might also try to get involved in study groups where each member of the group is responsible for covering a certain area, this can also put more "pressure" on you to finish your studying. There may also be services available at your school that can also provide advice on developing better study habits.</p>
<p>I too am a procrastinator but am hoping to eliminate it, or at least change it by some degrees. What I started telling myself is that, 'How you are now is how you will be in the future unless changes are made.' Procrastination is not going to stop itself; you have to take action. That does not mean take action tomorrow because then it'll become take action tomorrow's tomorrow. It means now. Try to set up a habit of doing your school work at a certain time each day and for a certain length of time like a schedule. Try to follow it, and if you succeed, then reward yourself because you have just taken step one. Know that your schedule can be modified to accomodate whatever unexpected that might come up. Let there be modifications but remember to follow the schedule everyday. Wish luck to you and me.</p>
<p>For the OP, after reading the article I'm going to suggest the OP's procrastination could either be based on a battle for control (eg "they can't tell me what to do") or, more likely, the "relaxed pleasure-seeking" type which is more common in college students according to studies.</p>
<p>For the 1st basis, the defiant type, the late-to-everything would be the tipoff. They can't "make" you get to class on time in HS, do the reading when it's assigned, etc. The heart of this is a battle for control, and procrastination is a way of showing them you can't be pushed around. You'll do things when you darn well feel ready to do them.</p>
<p>According the the article a much more common type in college, though, is the relaxed type. The pain of school far exceeds the pleasures of putting it off. It's more fun to sleep in or hang out with friends than to set alarm clocks and plan ahead so one won't be tardy. And sure enough, right there in the article it lists a common mental excuse used by relaxed procrastinators that is very similar to the one given by the OP
[quote]
"I do my best work late at night, I'll do it then."
Since you have promised yourself that you will be good, you can escape work and enjoy guilt-free play.
<p>Personaly, I'm Mr. Clutch. I don't do my work well unless it's almost time for class. For example, I have been known to revise an English paper at 7:00 AM when I have the class at 8:00 AM. Keep in mind it takes me five minutes to drive to campus and a few more to get in, and I like to be there on time.</p>
<p>As far as discipline goes, you need an old computer. Old enough that it can only run one program at a time and not be able to get on the internet. That way you won't get distracted on it while you're writing and whatnot. Retype the important stuff from your textbook so you have something to do while reading it--I have a lot of difficulty just reading words out of a book and being expected to recite them back and this works for me.</p>
<p>I have the same problem! luckily my college has a 10 week group therapy session called "chronic procrastinators" through the counseling center that starts monday. i need help asap!!! and on top of my procrastination I do have add!</p>
<p>Haha, I joke that I'm the worst 'smart-kid' any of my friends will meet, because I put EVERYTHING off til the last minute.. and usually ace it. Especially essays. I got a B on the one essay I did BEFORE the night prior to its due date, A's on all the one's I did under the pressure. </p>
<p>And I'm was yearbook editor, editor-in-chief this year. I don't do much work during class time, but I'll stay after for four or five hours every day the week before deadline and manage just fine. </p>
<p>I have the same problem. My most recent attempt is a PDA/phone of sorts that I'm trying to force myself to use. I'm setting reminders, due dates, etc. It seems to be working thus far. At least its helping me not forget about assignments and due dates.</p>
<p>That's a problem with me too. I find the only way I can make that aspect of my personality stress-free is by keeping intricate lists of what I have to get done and what it entails. That way, I can have an almost-intellectually-honest assessment of what I'm actually putting off and how long it will take. Then I can put it off to the last minute, but generally won't be surprised by anything.</p>
<p>Study at the library. This is a great location because everyone around you is studying, so it will make you want to study as well. Also, when I see others studying, I think about how much they are getting ahead of me and learning more than I am, so it makes me want to work hard so they <em>won't</em> get ahead.</p>
<p>Leave you laptop at the dorm! Unless you are writing a paper, dont' be pulled to carry your laptop around with you. And disable wireless temporarily when writing papers. :-)</p>
<p>I'm a firm believer in the fact taht ADD/ADHD does NOT equal a procrastinator. ADD/ADHD are serious problems and you can't just THINK you have it. If you had it, you wouldn't have been able to get to the college level without figuring it out already. People with ADD/ADHD make a firm attempt to complete tasks but they can't concentrate. They are concentration disorders which have no association with procrastination. If you are a procrastinator it is a "problem" with ur personality and study habits. So change them! When you get an assignment, split it up into small pieces and spread them out over a period of time. Delegate a segment of your everyday schedule to that piece of work. Turn off ur cell-phone/AIM and sit in the library. Rid yourself of all distractions and your problem might get resolved. Anyways, hope this helps.</p>
<p>I'm ADD, and my mom is a psychologist who specializes in ADD and other LD issues. One of the bedrock principles behind ADD diagnosis is that the underlying symptoms will reveal themselves by age 8 or so and become an impediment. That doesn't mean they'll be diagnosed by age 8, just that the life history would show something significant by that age.</p>
<p>Don't sit around thinking some problem with your mind is a crutch. Proactively design ways to get around your own habits, work to change those habits, or accept and be Ok with those habits.</p>
<p>i was the biggest procrastinator... seriously, woke up at 5 to write my essays</p>
<p>what kinda helped me was the wrestling team. being on a wrestling team makes u have so muchy commitment, dedication, willpower, etc. and it can help u in ur school work. if ur itnerestesd seee if theres an intramural thing at ur school that u can check out</p>
<p>Second what someone else said-environment is a huge factor. I can study in the study lounge in my dorm or the library... and the study lounge not even, sometimes. You need to be isolated and have only what you need. Hardest part is forcing yourself to go there. I find that if I go there after somewhere else it's easiest. IE After lunch I'll go straight to the library instead of back to the dorm. It works well for me. </p>
<p>Then again, yesterday I did my math assignment that was due during class while in class.</p>