Learning How To Stop Procrastination
Brought to you by David :3
HELLO, PEOPLE!
This post comes from yours truly, David ! 😎
I think we’ve all been in a situation where we have all our work laid out in front of us, yet; we still think of doing everything but the work that we assigned ourselves…
I still struggle horribly with deadlines, I think my friends would know best (sorry Irene).
From doing everything last second to cramming the studying I told myself to do weeks before, if there was anyone known for being a chronic procrastinator; it would be me. However, I have learned a few things in the past couple of years to help me complete at least a few of my assignments before dinner.
Here are the Main Points ⌚
Procrastination isn’t you being lazy or incapable of doing work , it's just your brain avoiding discomfort
Breaking down a huge task into smaller parts is always more efficient than tackling the entire task at once
Having a good environment will always be more efficient than just powering through it with sheer willpower.
STEP ONE: How To Start ✍️
The hardest part about any task is starting it. It’s so hard to do any work when your brain is constantly screaming “I no no wanna”. So here are some tips that you can use to begin your work.
Set a micro goal: Set very simple goals that requires little to no effort to jumpstart your brain.
"I’ll just open my notebook." to "I’ll just write one equation…"The 5 4 3 2 1 Rule:
Count backward from 5 and force yourself to get up at and start at "1". This prevents your brain of thinking and arguing against your actions and you can just bypass that mechanism to start.
Dopamine Loading:
Before: Listen to any of your favorite songs before starting your task, this will make it easier to focus and become a trigger for your brain to enter “study mode”. (note: you can use any trigger, but make sure it is a gradual dopamine boost. Meaning, DO NOT SCROLL BEFORE!)
After: 5 minute breaks after a 25 minute work session. (Pomodoro technique, use website pomofocus.io !) Walk around your room, grab some water, grab some snacks. However, AVOID SCROLLING AT ALL.
STEP TWO: Break Tasks Down ⛓️💥
- When you are given a huge task, your brain starts to panic and dread even starting the assignment. You need to break things down into simpler, more manageable chunks:
Here is some examples:
Research paper:
Objective: "Must write 10 pages"
1. Find 3 sources (15 mins)
2. Write bullet outline (10 mins)
3. Draft intro paragraph (8 mins)
Math homework:
Objective: "do all 50 problems"
1. Do the 5 hardest questions
2. Set timer: 12 mins sprint
3. Check answers + celebrate
ELA homework
Objective: "Chapter 7 = 40 pages"
1. Read intro + headings
2. Skim for bold terms
3. Summarize 1 concept into a small paragraph
Some Tools:
Goblin.tools (free AI task breaker). Ask for tasks like "study for bio final" and gets step by step task
STEP THREE: Create a Focus Friendly Environment 🏞️
- Your environment controls your brain more than discipline. If you try to study with 13 tabs of YouTube and Roblox it probably won’t end well. So,
How To Get Rid Of Distractions:
Phone Jail: Literal $10 lockbox during study bursts. Or you can use apps like Opal to limit your screen time on tasks. (If you have siblings, use slavery)
Create a Study Space:
Same location daily (becomes a trigger for the brain: "this spot = focus")
"Do Not Disturb" sign + noise canceling earbuds
Install LeechBlock (free) to block social media during study hours
Energy Boost: I like to walk around every couple minutes or so when I feel exhausted to give myself some energy or do some light workout like a few jumping jacks or pushups.
STEP FOUR: Time Your Studying ⏰
We are all naturally wired to work more efficiently at certain times. We all have different dips and peaks of energy throughout the day. This is further affected by our circadian rhythm, an internal biological clock that dictates how energetic and alert you are at certain time periods. (This is also the reasoning behind if you’re an early bird or night owl) Finding your individual circadian rhythm is probably the hardest part out of any of these tips I’m giving. (I’m still trying to find mine :/)
Finding Your Rhythm
Golden Hours: When you naturally focus best (track for 3 days)
Rhythm Scheduling:
2:00-3:30 PM → Hard subjects (math/science)
4:00-5:00 PM → Creative work (essays/art)
7:00-8:00 PM → Review only (no new material)
Additional advice
Study in 22 min bursts (science backed focus span) → 8 min break
Use Timer Tab.com to create custom intervals and track your progress bars
STEP FIVE: When You Get Desperate ☠️
Sometimes you just feel frozen like what the hell am I even doing. (existential crisis 💔) Some tips to help you get out out of those situations:
Study Buddy:
FaceTime a friend (mute yourselves, just work "together")
Or:
Study at library next to that annoyingly productive kid (COUGH COUGH IRENE)
“A little bit here a little bit there ahh” 🤔
For assignments or practice exams just do random questions in no particular order of questions you understand to get yourself started
Why This Is Better Than "Just Try Harder"
Brain Science Backed: Addresses amygdala hijack (fear response to tasks)
No Guilt Trips: Instead of feeling shame that you can’t get a task done, you help yourself create a system that allows you to study more efficiently later down the line
Immediate Wins: First task done in <5 mins builds momentum
Real Student Results c✅
Final Tip: Reflection
After ANY study session, ask:
1. What triggered my avoidance today?
2. What tactic worked?
3. What reward motivated me?
Anyways I'm FINALLY done yapping.
Not gonna lie, I probably need to look back at this myself a few times since my studying habit is still not the greatest.
Anyhow, thank you for reading today’s newsletter, we appreciate the support. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reply to the email!
Hopefully some of these tips can help you avoid procrastination and good luck.
We’ll see you next friday,
Thanks
BRB