Have you ever wondered if you’re the only one in your class struggling with procrastination? Well, let me be the first to tell you that you are not the only one. A lot of students struggle with procrastination. My question to them, in hopes of helping you find new ways to manage your procrastination, was what are ways that you overcome procrastination?

Leilani Shaw is impacted by procrastination. “I never used to struggle with procrastination,” Shaw said. “My significant other struggles with procrastination and it drives me crazy so I take notes and lists and that helps me make sure that I get all my duties done on time.” Below are ways that other people throughout the school manage their procrastination.

• Just do it.

Not thinking about the project/assignment that you have to get done and just doing it can be a great option, especially if you’re an overthinker. The more that you sit around and think about the project/assignment, the more that you are going to stress out about it and not want to do it.

• Make a to-do list.

Making a to-do list is a great way to keep yourself organized especially if you have multiple projects/assignments that you have to work on. A to-do list is a great way to overcome procrastination and make yourself feel good when you can finally check off a bulleted item on the list.

• Keep in mind that the project/assignment is due soon.

Sometimes we can’t help but come home after a long day and not want to do anything, including the project/assignment that was assigned to us. If you choose not to do the project/assignment make sure to keep in mind when it is due, otherwise you might end up procrastinating up until the point it is due.

• Do it right away.

For some people, procrastination is a big struggle, and the best way for them to overcome that struggle is to do the project/assignment right away. If you know that you struggle with completing projects/assignments, when focusing on the project/assignment, focus just on that one task and tell yourself that you cannot do anything else until it is done, and hold yourself accountable.

• Set a personal deadline.

It might be easier for you to set your own deadline to make sure that you are getting the project/assignment turned in on time. Try setting your personal deadline a couple of days before the actual deadline.

• I don’t.

This was a very honest answer, and for those of you who answered this, I encourage you to try one of the other answers I am providing. You may wonder why, why should I try another way? And to this, I say because it may help you out more than you know.

• Have a friend/parent help me with the project/assignment or remind me to do it.

Having a friend or parent that you can rely on is a great tactic, but it doesn’t always work if your friend/parent forgets to remind you to do your project/assignment or doesn’t have the time to help you. It is great to have people you can rely on, but I advise you to not solely rely on another person to tell you to get your work done.

• Listen to music.

Listening to music is a good way to help you focus. For some, it’s the only way that they can focus on the project/assignment they are working on. For others, listening to music can be a distraction.

• Give myself motivation.

Giving yourself motivation is always a great way to get yourself to do a project/assignment that you have been dreading. Giving yourself motivation can look different to everyone. To you, it might be making exciting plans for the weekend up ahead but for someone else, it may be rewarding themselves with a treat.

• Get away from distraction(s).

It is important to stay away from distractions when you finally convince yourself to work on a project/assignment that you have been dreading. This may mean putting your phone in a different room or going to a local coffee shop. Whatever it may be it is important that you keep away from distractions otherwise you will never get the project/assignment done.

• I get bored so I just do it.

This is another very honest answer, sometimes it’s even a blessing in disguise. Others may struggle with not having the motivation or energy, but for those who provided this answer, there was nothing better to do.

• Change my mindset.

Changing your mindset is a great step to overcoming the procrastination that you have for a project/assignment. Adjusting your mindset can seem easier than it is, you have to adjust your thought process. You have to change the negative, overthinking into motivation. Some people try to make the project/assignment less of a chore so that way they won’t fret about doing it. For others, it’s telling themselves however many times they need to hear it that the project/assignment isn’t as big of a deal as you are making it out to be.

• Others do their job so it’s only fair that I do mine.

Reminding yourself that you’re not the only one who struggles with procrastination is a great way to put things into perspective. Some people like to remind themselves that others can complete the same project/assignment so it’s only fair that they do too.

• Remembering that I have help if I need it.

Don’t forget that you have people who will always be there for you, they are there to help you whenever you need it even if it’s over a stupid math equation.  Reminding yourself that you have help if you need it is a great way to make yourself feel better about completing the project/assignment.

• Sectioning my project/assignment into smaller sections.

Sectioning the project/assignment is a great way to motivate yourself too, then you aren’t overthinking about having to do so much work. If you plan accordingly you can do a little bit each day and then by the time the due date rolls around you’re all done.

• Reminding myself that the project/assignment is important.

Reminding yourself that the project/assignment is an important one and that it needs to be done can help influence your thought process. If you put more weight on the project/assignment then you are more likely to focus and worry over it, pushing you to complete it.

For those of you who were struggling with your procrastination, I hope reading this article gives you a few good tips or ideas on how you can overcome it. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not just yourself that’s struggling. Many other people have similar struggles and can relate to what you are dealing with.