by Nilanka G

With only a few weeks of the semester left, it is time to switch into gear. A good first step is getting organised. Clear your desk. Create some room. Organise your notes. And make a list of things that need to get done. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but rather allocate more time than needed for a certain task. Work hard within these allocated times and reward yourself for the achievements.

Of course, at times there is that uncontrollable urge to procrastinate. Surprising as it sounds, there are ways that you can conquer procrastination! A first step is to begin with a goal oriented attitude. Motivate yourself to achieve a set task within a given time frame. This can be done by trying to make the goal more interesting, by perhaps setting a small reward at the end of each task. Create some variety to avoid monotonous tasks leading to boredom. Working in a more focused environment such as a library helps. Often making a list of tasks and crossing them out once they are done creates a sense of achievement. But the main way to tackle procrastination is to realise that you may not be ‘in the mood’ to do a task. Now is a good time as any to get started.

Also remember your limits. Realistically, there is only so much that can be done each day. Don’t forget the things you enjoy. Spread your work by setting yourself smaller goals. Form a study group and share ideas. Often working in a group can do a lot for your confidence and more often than not you might learn something new. Last but not least, remember to eat healthily, drink lots of water and have plenty of sleep.