Avoid Procrastination in College

Procrastination is a behavioral condition from which most college students have long suffered. You've probably had it down to an art form since you were a freshman in high school, so you see no reason to change your ways despite the new challenges presented by higher education. After all, your social life is just as important as your GPA because you're supposed to be having the time of your life. But as the semesters roll by, the classes become more difficult and you begin to think about post-graduation. Then you'll find that one night of studying before an exam just won't cut it.

It's important that you adopt healthy work habits and efficient time management skills now so that you maximize your chances of success in the long run. Set goals early in the process. If it's Monday and you have to read three chapters for a quiz on Friday, break apart your workload. Read a chapter on Monday evening, Tuesday evening and Wednesday evening. If it's Wednesday and you have four final exams next week, place a higher priority on the classes for which you need the most studying and the highest grades. Spend more hours on those subjects on Saturday and Sunday when you have more free time. If Facebook and TV are big distractions, study or work in the library. When you accomplish your goal for the day, reward yourself afterward by watching your favorite show and perusing you friends' profiles. It's also important that you limit the amount of work you do each day. Becoming too much of an overachiever in the quest to get things done can cause you to burn out, and then you won't accomplish much of anything.

Try to live in moderation. That means fewer nights out at the bar with friends and more nights of restful sleep. Let loose on the weekends and not on weeknights. Eat a healthy amount of food each day to ensure you have enough energy to remain productive. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize. Changing your behavior to reduce procrastination will allow you to more easily earn your degree.