I can't help it...I procrastinate all the time. This is something that has been happening to me since I was a kid. I remember I would study for the test 2, or just a day before it happened. It's like there is something inside of me that won't allow me to study for anything.
Now I'm about to start my nursing Pre requisites and even though I've been advised to start learning the majority of the bones and other stuffs in advance, I just can't. I also know how important study is for nursing students....but for me procrastination is like a illness. I have no control over it.
I know this is a bad habit and no an illness, but I was wondering, It's there anyone out there having the same problem? Can any one give some advice or solution to beat procrastination?
Thanks for your answers..They'll be highly appreciated.
"You should never put off until tomorrow what you can do today!"
I'm a procastinator too, but it's because i feel either: the assignment i have to do is too boring, I can do it later, I can do it tomorrow, i don't know where to start...
those were some of the signs why you might procrastinate...
Just remember, "Time is essence"
You are the only one who can waste your own time.
Oh, and remember this words as well:
"I can" "I want" "I will"
U can even write them down in an index card then paste them in your environment where u can see them often especially when u study.
Just think that this homeworks, projects, paper works are the steps u have to take in order to graduate in Nursing school.
Stay motivated by saying to urself "I love Nursing! i can do this! and i will finish this!"
Thanks for all your answers and advice it's good to know that I'm not the only one. lol
I hope that I'll do my best this next semester, for the moment there's no way I can study. Maybe tomorrow!! you see...I'm procrastinating again. :nuke:
Go visit your doctor just to make sure you don't have Adult ADHD.
I also had a problem with procrastination until I started college because I knew I had to get my act together if I wanted to do well in school.
My advice would be to go to a quiet place in your home, or go study at the library. Just make sure you are away from anything that can distract you like a phone, computer, TV, etc.
I don't know about anyone else, I can cram for most classes, but thats not something that I can do with Science and I doubt most people can. Once you start those classes and realize how much material there is to cover, you will realize that you absolutely CANNOT procrastinate with these classes. They need to be a part of your life every single day if you want to do well.
Perhaps when you actually start the classes, you will realize this.
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.
I used to procrastinate horribly, and admittedly still do from time to time, but nothing like I used to. I found being organized gets me through it. When I was taking 18 credits I couldn't afford to procrastinate, so I made myself up a spreadsheet with all my assignments, along with the dates due. When I didn't feel like doing anything, I started working on the next one on the list, irregardless of what class it was for. It felt really good putting big black lines through those assignments one by one! I can also see when big papers are due, and work on a little bit here and there before that end crunch overwhelms me. This worked so well for me, I would usually get assignments and papers done up to a week before they were due.
I also make my work area conducive to studying. My assignments are all laid out on the desk in order what to do, Facebook and allnurses get closed, TV off, I put on ambient space music (no words or beat) and get to it. I even put a note on my office door saying 'studying' so my kids don't interrupt me. After that, it becomes a matter of self discipline, I no longer have any excuses or distractions. If something does come to mind that I have to get done, I make a list, put it down and do it once I have done my work, not before.
Other than that, its a matter of self discipline. You have to find what works for you and stick to it! You can do it!!!
BTW... I have adult ADD and used to call myself the multitasking queen, not anymore! I am working on being the focus queen! lol
Procrastination is a hard, hard habit to break. I also have a tendency to procrastinate and need a deadline to spur me into action. I'm a second degree student and my undergraduate GPA from my previous degree is a direct result of procrastinating and poor time management, which resulted in poor preparation and retention for most of my classes. I learned some valuable lessons about my study habits and thus far have pulled A's in all of my pre-requisites for the past few semesters.
A few things that have helped me:
-Get organized! Block out specific blocks of time each day and assign specific tasks for those blocks, even if your instructor doesn't have a specific task due the following day. I do this keeping in mind the lecture schedule, class assignments and other deadlines. If I know that we will be covering chapter 7 in lecture on Tuesday, I will make a point to do my initial reading of the chapter no later than Monday. If I have an exam on Friday, I will break up the material and plan to review each section on different days leading up to the test, leaving the night before the test for last-minute reviewing of things that I am unsure about and getting a good night's sleep. Not only is it less stressful, I learn the material better and my grades show it.
-If you're going to procrastinate, do an easy task for another class. This helps you shift from play to work mode and crossing one thing off the to-do list can motivate you to keep going.
-Make it difficult to access online time sucks like Facebook or message boards. Close your browser and turn off your internet connection if you have to. If you can't get there in one click, sometimes it is less tempting. I use this as my "reward" for completing tasks. It's hard to break the habit of immediately doing the fun stuff, but it is so easy to let time get away from you when you intend to get on for just a quick minute.
-Know your best times to study. I learn best in the mornings, so if I can squeeze in an hour of schoolwork before noon, it is the equivalent of two hours worth of effort late at night. This also helps with the procrastination because I tend to be more motivated during the mornings and less likely to feel like I should be doing something more relaxing.
-Focus on your goal. I'm super-motivated to keep my current 4.0 average and I need every A I can get to make up for my less than stellar undergrad GPA. Every time I am tempted to put off an assignment I'm not excited about, I think about what my end goal is. Is blowing off my homework to watch trashy reality really worth it when I can watch the show online any other time?
Hope some of those suggestions are helpful. Ultimately you have to figure out what motivates you to get things done ahead of time and stick with it. I still need the pressure of a deadline to get me going, but there is also something so satisfying about having work completed well in advance.
Specifically for studying the bones, my school library had "bone boxes" we could check out with an entire plastic skeleton inside. My friends and I would meet to quiz each other, practice putting the bones together, etc. And I really liked using the computer simulations that come with textbooks to quiz myself on different anatomy. Making it interactive stopped a lot of my procrastination.
I also like lists, like mentioned earlier, to break down a task and create mini-deadlines. I like crossing things off a list, and being able to look at my progress.
I checked out the book "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students" from my library and it had a great bit about procrastination. It made a list of common reasons/excuses people procrastinate, and a response to each one. It may sound silly but I typed them up and made myself a little poster for my wall. (These are all altered a little bit from the book)
"This is boring"
This is not boring. This is in preparation to become a nurse. I have to get it done.
"This is too hard"
It is hard but I can do it. I have come very far in my education and I know I can do what it takes to finish this.
"I don't know where to start"
Make a list of requirements for the assignment and make a timeline of what needs to get done. I will focus on a small part of the assignment for now.
"I'm too tired"
Well, I'm just going to get tireder. Break down the task into small parts and do the parts I can tonight.
"I am upset/angry that I have to do this."
_________________is affecting my emotions, BUT my feelings are standing in the way of completing a task.
"I have more important things to do."
Really? Make a list of things to do and rank in order of importance. What can be eliminated, what can be delegated?
"I will do it tomorrow"
No, i will have new items to add to my to-do list tomorrow, I will not let my assignments pile up.
"I have plenty of time'
I never have plenty of time. I need to do this NOW, at this time.
"I work better under pressure."
I work faster under pressure. I can do a better job if I start now and give myself an appropriate amount of time.
hope these helped! I think they are really going to help me when I start nursing school because thoughts like these often cross my mind. Helps to have a mental statement to combat them.
Great!! Thanks guys for all your comment...I really have learned a bit of each of you....I just bought a giant calendar to organize all the work, and 4 colored files to organize things by priorities. I also set my desk in a corner of my bedroom...so now I have 2 walls to paste sticky notes reminding me why I must study everyday
I'm already excited about this new semester!!! :w00t:
it's good to know that I'm not the only one. lol
you see...I'm procrastinating again. :nuke:
Newbiestudent
25 Posts
here's an advice from the book i read.
"You should never put off until tomorrow what you can do today!"
I'm a procastinator too, but it's because i feel either: the assignment i have to do is too boring, I can do it later, I can do it tomorrow, i don't know where to start...
those were some of the signs why you might procrastinate...
Just remember, "Time is essence"
You are the only one who can waste your own time.
Oh, and remember this words as well:
"I can" "I want" "I will"
U can even write them down in an index card then paste them in your environment where u can see them often especially when u study.
Just think that this homeworks, projects, paper works are the steps u have to take in order to graduate in Nursing school.
Stay motivated by saying to urself "I love Nursing! i can do this! and i will finish this!"
so yeah.
goodluck! ^^