By Daniela Orbegoso
The end of term is creeping up and assignments are beginning to pile up. With term paper deadlines getting ominously close and exams around the corner, it can be hard to keep up with all the work that’s expected and make time to study for finals.
We asked four Arts students to share how they battle procrastination and what they do if they’ve fallen behind.
Melanie Ligale, Political Science (Honours) major, Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice minor
Keep a detailed calendar
“I put together a calendar at the beginning of every semester with all the major assignments, so I know what the semester is looking like month-to-month. Then, I try to keep it updated as much as possible, especially with smaller meetings I might forget. I know I work better with a paper system, so I have two notebooks going: one is a calendar/planner and one is just a book where I break down deliverables.”
Forgive yourself and ask for help
“Firstly, I forgive myself if I’ve fallen behind. I think that the stress of falling behind sometimes prevents you from moving forward. At the same time, that doesn’t mean making excuses for myself. I then reorganize my plans in order to catch up. I also think it’s very important to reach out for help when you need it, don’t wait until the last minute to ask your professors for extensions or help on assignments.”
Tomas Kantor, International Relations major, Economics minor
Find healthy distractions
“I personally need some level of stress and pressure to be the most productive, so I do seek a healthy level of procrastination. This doesn’t mean that I’ll fall behind on assignments or studying on purpose, but in order to be happy I find I sometimes need to prioritize other aspects of my life over studying in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I love hanging out with friends, going to the gym or even napping.”
Head to the library
“Whenever I fall behind there’s a simple routine that I follow. First, I buy a large coffee to keep me going, especially during the longer days. Then, I go to the library by myself, I make sure to put my phone away, and I just work for hours until I feel like I’ve accomplished enough. However, it’s important for me to include scheduled breaks every now and then, this way I avoid burnout but also make sure to keep breaks short enough for me to want to keep going.”
Joanne Goldgewicht, Psychology major, Special Education minor
Limit screen time
“I have a calendar that has all my due dates that I constantly look through when I study to keep myself in check. When I procrastinate it’s usually on my phone so I make sure to set time limits on my screen use. Usually the place where I procrastinate the most is at home so if I need to get something done, I make sure to study outside the house.”
Find a quiet place and set time limits
“If I’ve fallen behind or there’s too much on my plate, I like to organize everything even more carefully. I usually go to the library’s quiet rooms and set time limits for when I want things to be done, that way the feeling of getting things done, even if it’s not everything on my list, helps me relax.”
Tanya Griffiths, Spanish major, Creative Writing minor
Relax with a quick workout
“I think it’s a matter of figuring out which environments you thrive in, and taking advantage of the time when your body feels most energized and productive. For me, I work best in the mornings, and I’ve recently discovered that going to the gym after classes and then doing homework allows me to utilize that “dopamine high” after working out in a productive way. I also make sure to prioritize sleep, so I don’t depend on caffeine to keep me awake.”
Get some rest
“I let myself rest. I realize that we can’t always be on top of everything all the time, and we need to rest and distance ourselves from work for a while. Pressuring ourselves to stay productive, especially when our bodies don’t want to, can lead to frustration that lowers our productivity and mood even more. After giving myself a break to focus on things I personally love doing (like connecting with people, baking dessert, and journaling), I’ll reintroduce university work into my life. By then, I carry a feeling of calm and desire to actually work, instead of feeling obliged to finish work.”
Most students feel overwhelmed by their workload at some point in their university career, yet procrastination can often be the main cause of stress, especially at the end of term when most assignments are due.
If you’re struggling with time management and need help, schedule a meeting with an Arts Peer Academic Coach. They can help guide you through academic tasks, keep you motivated, and help you discover more about yourself as a learner.
