LIFE

It feels like fall is all about finding your groove, making new friends and, ofc, enjoying on-campus events...until you're hit with your first quiz of the year. It can be tempting to procrastinate, especially when there are other things you'd rather do on a sunny September afternoon. If you've ever struggled with putting off assignments until the last possible minute, we're here to help. Here are 4 study tips to help you stop procrastinating.

1. Change your environment

@studybiomd

Studying becomes tedious when you've been sitting at your desk for hours on end. The solution? Try a new spot! If yesterday's math lesson still isn't clicking, go to a coffee shop or sit out in the park while you review your notes. Changing up your environment in-between study sessions will boost motivation and bust boredom.

2. Give yourself a reward

@chaptersofmay

Whether it's a much-needed trip to Starbucks or another episode of your latest Netflix obsession (Grey's Anatomy, anyone?), it's important to reward yourself for meeting goals and checking things off your to-do list. For every dreaded assignment, treat yourself to a 5-minute guided meditation or a chapter of a just-for-fun book. The excitement is a surefire way to keep you on track (and the brain breaks are proven to boost overall productivity).

3. Ditch the phone

@cloudie.deco

To reconnect with work, disconnect from the web. Plug in your phone or put it somehwere that's out of reach. Once you can't see it, focusing on what's in front of you will be all the easier. If you have to keep your phone with you, go to Settings, click on Screen Time and set a one minute time limit on the app that you know distracts you most. You will be greeted with a "you have met your limit" reminder if you give in to temptation and click on that app.

4. Use the Pomodoro Technique

@jel_files

The Pomodoro Technique helps you split work into manageable pieces. To try it out, set a timer for 25 minutes and start doing your work. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Repeat these half-hour intervals until you hit two full hours. When your fourth break arrives, take a half-hour break. You'll have earned it.

Need some more school advice? Check out these GL articles:
🎒 Your guide to romanticizing school (even when it feels overwhelming)
🎒 Tell us your fave class and we'll find your new school supplies
🎒 How to set up your planner for a successful school year

Slider image @sapphire.study 
Top image @studykween 

by Taylor Hancock and Lucia Kelemen | 9/15/2024