How Not to Procrastinate in the First Place

For many college students, procrastination doesn't just happen; there are small steps they take every day that suddenly result in having to write, say, a 5-page paper in one night (translation: pull the dreaded all-nighter). Find 8 easy steps to learn how not to procrastinate in the first place.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

1. Don't plan to procrastinate. This is #1 for a reason: it's such a simple way to solve such a common problem! If you find yourself saying things like "I can't do (insert activity) that night; I'm going to be up all night writing a paper," you are one hard-core procrastinator. Why? Because you're actually planning to procrastinate -- which shows that you can plan. Which also shows, therefore, that you can plan not to have to be up super late every night before you have something major due.
2. Break things down. Divide things into smaller projects: coming up with a thesis/topic/etc.; doing the first part of the research; testing your results/writing a rough draft; finishing up everything but a few minor details a few days before your deadline. Breaking things down into smaller projects not only makes your workload easier to manage, but also makes it nearly impossible to leave it all to the last minute.
3. Set earlier deadlines for yourself. Is your paper due on the 15th? Get (not try, but actually get) it done by the 12th. You'll have time to really focus; spend thoughtful time putting your work together; get it read over by a TA, your professor, or an academic support center in advance; and, you know, deal with the unexpected roommate drama you'll have to deal with the night of the 14th, too.
4. Find a way to hold yourself accountable. Accountability can go a long way when it comes to avoiding procrastination (and breaking your procrastination habits in general). Find another friend -- in the same class, in your residence hall, in a club you're in -- and hold each other accountable for getting your project done earlier than usual. Come up with some kind of reward system if you get your projects done early as well as some kind of "punishment" system if you aren't keeping on track.
5. Work with a friend. Working with a friend (who you really can study/work with, not just end up hanging out and talking with) can help streamline your efforts and make you really focus on the assigned task at hand. You can check in with each other about the progress you're making and schedule time to work on your projects together. It's much harder to break a study/work meeting with someone else than it is to break one with yourself.
6. Start small. Don't expect to change all of your procrastination habits in one week. Try to teach yourself how not to procrastinate in, for example, only 1 or 2 of your courses this term. Smaller habits are easier to stick with an make permanent on a larger scale.
7. Be patient with yourself. Just like any bad habit, learning how not to procrastinate takes time (ironically!). Being patient with yourself and staying committed to not procrastinating in the long term is part of the process, too.
8. Get extra help if you need it. Procrastination is often very isolating: you are up late, alone, working on your paper or report, for example. But incorporating help from others into your planning process is a great way to learn how not to procrastinate. An appointment you have at an academic writing center, for example, will help make your paper better, can provide needed mentoring about avoiding procrastination in the first place, and will help hold you accountable. After all, you're not in college to work by yourself all the time, right? Take advantage of what your school has to offer.

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Your First Week in College

Your first week in college is one you've likely been looking forward to for a long, long time. That first college week, however, can be gone in an instant -- and if you're not careful, some of the choices you make during those critical few days can lead to major problems later. Just keep these 10 rules for your first week in college in mind ... and have fun!

10 Rules for Your First Week at College

1. Don't hook up. It's smart to give yourself (at least) a one-week delay before hooking up. It's much easier to regret not hooking up than it is to regret it -- and have to face the person every day -- for the next 4 years. Just give yourself a little time to get your bearings before doing anything you might unknowingly regret later.

2. Don't start a relationship. You're at college to learn, explore, try new things, and overall challenge yourself. Starting a relationship right off the bat may hamper some of the flexibility you'll need. Is it a good idea to start a relationship? Of course, if it's a healthy one. Is it a good idea to do it during your first few days on campus? Maybe not. If this person is the love of your life, can you wait a few weeks? Of course.

3. Go to class. Hmmm ... no one takes attendance, you were up super late, and there's somewhere else on campus you'd rather be this morning. Think twice before skipping class, however; it's much more crucial for you to go to class in college, and the first week is especially important if you want to meet other students, have the professor know you, and not get dropped because you didn't show while others are on a wait list.

4. Get the basics done. During orientation, you probably have a long list of stuff to do: Get an ID card, set up your email/campus login, meet your adviser. Skipping on these to-dos is a definite bad idea during your first week. After all, if you think you're busy now, imagine how much harder doing these items will be once your classes are in full-swing -- and you're behind.

5. Make sure your financial aid is in good shape. If the financial aid office needs a copy of something, you have a question about your loans, or you need to sign some documents, make sure your tush makes it to the financial aid office sooner rather than later. Doing so is much easier than having to explain to your parents that you've been kicked out of school because you lost your financial aid due to a technical glitch.

6. Get your books and readers ASAP. You don't necessarily have to buy them from the campus bookstore -- there are lots of other options available -- but you do have to get them. And quickly. College classes move much faster than high school ones, so staying on top of the reading is incredibly important.

7. Get a job if you need one. There are x number of students and y number of jobs. You don't need to be a math major to realize that the sooner you start looking (and applying), the better your options -- and choices -- will be.

8. Watch your alcohol intake. As most folks know, alcohol is pretty readily available in college, even for the under-21 crowd. Be smart with the choices you make around alcohol, both for your dignity and your own safety.

9. Get your classes set. You may be wait-listed on some classes or registered for too many because you aren't sure what you want to keep. Either way, make sure your class schedule is set as soon as possible, that you finalize the paperwork before the add/drop deadline, and that the units you're carrying are enough to maintain your financial aid.

10. Start the semester off with good eating habits. It sounds so minor, but eating healthy in college really can make a difference. Besides helping you avoid the legendary Freshman 15, eating healthy as soon as you arrive can keep your immune system up, give you the energy you need, and help set great habits for the next few years of your college life.

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