It’s my first semester in college, and I’m already having problems with procrastination. I’m doing well in all my classes, except for chemistry, where I currently have a B. I calculated that if I focused more effort on the class and picked up my slack, I had a good chance of ending with an A. But just this week, I put off a lab report for too long, and I couldn’t make the deadline. Thankfully, I turned it in the next day with only a 10% penalty. But I still feel like crap.
I know straight A’s in college is a whole different ball game than high school, and I wouldn’t be upset if I knew I tried my hardest and ended up with a B. But the thing is I know I was a slacker and I could’ve done better. How can I get myself together?
If you have not already, try making yourself a very comprehensive schedule slotting time for classes, meals, study time, working out or leisure, sleep, etc. Reward yourself for completing assignments, or for studying with short breaks to take a walk, or watch a show. Physical activity really helps clear your mind and refocus on the tasks at hand. Try to get ahead is always my advice. Then when something comes up, you are not so far behind.
Procrastination is something everyone does to some extent, but each day try to make yourself more accountable to your schedule, with self-induced rewards and penalties. As a penalty, make yourself start your labs immediately, so you have time to think about them before having to complete it. Mix up where you study and work too, as the dorms can be very distracting.
Identifying the slacker tendency is important, but now you have to do something about it. Work with others when you can to keep each other on task, and on schedule. Don’t regret later what you can fix now! You will have to self-motivate yourself every day to get the best results from yourself.
If a friend told you this, would you hate your friend for his/her perceived slacker issue? No, probably not! So give yourself the same compassion and grace you would give a friend.
A big part of fixing an issue is knowing that you have an issue in the first place. You are well on your way to solving this!