A new semester is like a new year. Students may have different classes, different teachers, and maybe even a different schedule. Most importantly, grades return back to 100 percent to begin a fresh start for the new semester.

Although some of us may have gathered some bad habits this past semester, a new semester is the perfect time to pick up some new and better habits.

One bad habit that I am sure everyone is familiar with is procrastination. I am occasionally guilty of this bad habit as it can be hard to study when there are so many other things that I would rather be doing besides homework. However, it is so much more satisfying to do other things when all of your work is completed.

So, here are six tips that I personally use that can help you to not procrastinate this semester:

1. Get rid of distractions. This means turning off your phone and any notifications on your iPad that could possibly distract you. Specifically, what I like to do, is leave my phone in another room so that I will not be tempted to turn it back on and procrastinate. Getting rid of any distractions such as your phone will help you to get your tasks done sooner so that you are not up until two in the morning doing school work.
2. Break the task down. If you have are assigned an essay that is due in two weeks, start on it now and work on it for a little bit each night. This way the work will seem less overwhelming and you will not have to stay up the night before it is due getting it completed.
3. Get your tasks done as soon as possible. Do not wait until Sunday night to begin your homework or studying for a test. Get your work done as soon as you can so you can have somewhat of a stress-free weekend.
4. Make a list. Do this before you begin your homework to see what you need to get done. Making a list is a very simple task but it is helpful to physically visualize what you need to get done. I know for a fact that it is a horrible experience to remember an assignment that you forgot to do the morning it is due (using your lunch or break to do homework or study for a test isn’t any fun, as some of us know from experience).
5. Bargain with yourself. If you get your physics project done, you can go to the mall with your friends. Bargaining with yourself will encourage you to not procrastinate so that you can go have fun with your friends.
6. Come up with a consequence. If you do not complete the task and procrastinate, then you cannot go to the mall with your friends. Consequences can greatly help you to not procrastinate. Also, it would be helpful to tell someone about your consequence so that they can help you to not let yourself off easy if you do end up procrastinating.

Although school can be very stressful, it is important to not procrastinate because it is much better to get your work done sooner than later. Like I said previously, it is so much more satisfying to do other stuff (like going to the mall with your friends) when all of your work is done.

***

Do you have any tips that help prevent you from procrastinating? Leave them in the comments below!

Creative Commons photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jennerally/10215164/in/