Ten tips that can help you avoid procrastination as a student or a creative.

Procrastination is a problem for every student. We know what we should be doing we just don’t want to do it. It’s easy to put off undesirable assignments until the very last minute, but then we’re forced to pull an all-nighter. Seven cups of coffee later, we’re exhausted and frustrated, turning in an assignment that hardly showcases our best work.

Here are 10 ways to crush procrastination and get some sleep!

1.Get organized and set up a schedule that works for you.

The best way to plan your time and stay organized is to use a planner or calendar app. By investing in one of these tools, you will be able to easily keep track of your assignments and have all due dates readily available. Need help getting started? The best solution is to find an old planner that works for you, or download a free calendar app from the app store.

2. Set goals that you can actually reach or achieve.

Part of the reason we procrastinate is because the task at hand seems too large and overwhelming. It’s easier to get started on a project when you establish simple, concrete goals rather than a big, vague plan. Instead of telling yourself, "I'll study biology tonight," say, "I'll read chapter six tonight."

3.Create a schedule/timeline to help you stay on track and complete your project.

Setting time aside to accomplish goals can be very helpful in organizing your time. For example, if you have a big exam coming up, plan to study for the exam every Tuesday and Wednesday during the week before the exam. Also, when writing an essay, break it down into sections like an introduction and conclusion.

4. Set a deadline for yourself or make a commitment.

Procrastination can be a problem for everyone, but it often manifests itself in the form of “I’ll do it later.” This can be dangerous if you have an important assignment coming up or a project that requires you to work on it in limited amounts of time until completion. Make sure to set a specific date for when you want your goals to be accomplished and then shoot for completing everything one or two days in advance. If something unexpected happens, you’ll still have extra time to complete the project.

5.Eliminate distractions.

Before beginning work on any task, you should clear your mind of all potential distractions so that you do not become sidetracked and lose focus halfway through your task. If you tend to spend too much time on social media when you should be studying, then shut your phone off (all the way off). Distractions could also be external sources, like annoying siblings. Try listening to classical music or white noise to drown out their constant chatter. Alternatively, you could change study environments all together and head down to the local library or coffee shop, where you can clear your mind and study distraction-free

6. Practice timing yourself.

When you have a lot of work to do, it can sometimes be tempting to push yourself beyond your limits. Your brain is only capable of focusing on so much information at once, so it's important to take breaks while studying! Most experts agree that you should study for 50 to 90 minutes at a time. Setting a timer and working in focused blocks of time will prevent you from burning out. Everyone is different but the formula for perfect productivity is 52 minutes of work followed by 17 minutes off.

7.Take a break, if you haven't already.

It's important to take short mental breaks from your schoolwork every now and then. When your timer goes off, get up and move around for 10–30 minutes. Listen to music or a podcast, take a walk outside, do some laundry or dishes—anything that gets your mind off of work and lets you relax.

8. Use incentives The use of incentives can be effective in achieving

goals.

Everyone loves to be rewarded for his or her efforts. Rewarding yourself for completing a task, no matter how small, can help you stay motivated. You could promise yourself that if you finish a certain assignment, you'll watch an episode of your favorite TV show tonight. Or you could promise yourself something bigger, like an A in math this semester in exchange for a special night out at your favorite restaurant. Incentives such as these can make it easier to pay attention to tasks that aren't necessarily interesting or fun on their own.

9.Tackle the most difficult task or project first.

Pushing your most challenging assignments back to do something easier first may seem like a good idea at the time, but it will just make you feel bad about yourself when it’s time to start that difficult task. The best way to get things done is to start with the hardest thing and then work your way down

the list.

10. Share your goal with people who can help you achieve it.

When you are the only person holding yourself accountable for achieving your goals, it’s easy to let assignments slip or put them off. But when you tell someone else about your plans and set a deadline, you create an accountability partner who can help keep you on track. Whether you need encouragement or have simply reached a milestone, your friend will be there to celebrate your victories with you, making the journey that much more enjoyable.