Avoid the Late Night, Last Minute Study Session

This week, I’m addressing some reader comments prompted by a recent post on dealing with stress.  This one comes from Sparkler amaryllismoon:

I'm obsessed with maintaining my average (especially since it's my junior year and I am trying to get higher up in class rank... I'm only number 5 and I'd like to at least be number 4 or 3 this year). The thing is, I will put stuff off until the last minute, which is not good at ALL. Any way to help me concentrate?

Ah, yes, the life of the procrastinator. No matter your good intentions to get an early start, you always find yourself making a strong pot of coffee and bracing yourself for an all nighter before the exam or paper due date. For many procrastinators, this approach can lead to success. Maybe that deadline breathing down your neck gives you the shot of adrenaline you need to do a great job; in fact, I would guess this is the case for amaryllismoon, who is in the top ten of her class ranking.

However, even when you’re a successful procrastinator, this lifestyle has its drawbacks. Pull too many all nighters and your school work will suffer, not to mention your health. The procrastinator path also leaves you balancing so many deadlines that if you wait until the last minute, it’s a guarantee that you’re going to be turning in at least one project late. (And this problem is only going to get worse once you get to college!)

So how can a procrastinator harness those powers of concentration before deadline adrenaline kicks in? I'm glad you asked.

1. Get reacquainted with your planner. Remember that planner you bought back in September that has languished under a pile of papers ever since? Get it out, dust it off, and write all of your deadlines in it. Then look at those deadlines, break the work you need to do into smaller pieces, and assign yourself mini-deadlines. For example, let’s say you have a research paper due in two weeks. You could set a deadline for finishing the research three days from now, a deadline for writing your rough draft five days from now, and so on. Each time you finish a task, put a check mark next to it—seeing evidence that you’re making your self-imposed deadlines will help you stick with this system.

2. Find a study schedule that works for you—and stay with it. This tip comes from Sparkler Brianne1991, and it’s all about planning out your time before you begin studying, which will keep you from getting sucked into checking Facebook updates and watching 45 minutes evaporate (though that could be your reward when you finish your work): I manage my time by timing myself, only allowing X amount of time per subject. Before I start my homework, I eat, take a shower and meditate for about 5 minutes or so. It clears my head and I can focus on what I need to get done. Then I always have something fun I enjoy to do after I finish my home work. It makes it go by a lot faster.

3. Clear out the clutter—mental and physical. Notice how Brianne1991 clears her mind by eating, showering, and meditating? Finding a way to let go of what happened to you during the day, be it good or bad, is a great way to settle in and concentrate on the tasks you’ve set up for yourself. Sometimes it isn’t just our mental space that needs clearing, but our physical space as well. What do you have on your desk that’s distracting you? Your phone, a big ugly pile of papers you need to sort, old candy bar wrappers? Whatever it is, put it away or throw it out (the wrappers, not your phone). Don’t turn on the TV, but if it helps you concentrate, listen to some instrumental music. Maybe lighting a scented candle might help you feel calm and focused. Experiment to find out what works best for you.

By planning ahead and getting into a relaxed and focused state of mind, even the biggest procrastinators can find themselves getting work done without giving up sleep or keeping their nearest Starbucks in business.

How do you deal with your procrastinator tendencies? Let us know in the comments, and email your questions to testpreptutor@sparknotes.com.

Related Post: Study Tip Number One: Quit Stressing Yourself Out!