You are most likely reading this to hesitate.
You should probably be completing a mundane task, calling a customer service number, filing your tax return, or hanging soaking wet laundry in the machine for too long.
But instead, you're flipping through your phone and reading this article about... procrastination.
Why are we hesitating?
Wrongly or not, college students are among the people most notorious for procrastination.
Who wants to start a quest when you'd rather be at the pub with your friends or lying on your bed staring at the ceiling?
Megan Pozzi, Learning Support Team Leader at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), is dedicated to helping students avoid roadblocks.
Studies have shown that up to 95% of college students procrastinate, but Ms. Pozzi sees this as a fairly universal phenomenon.
"We can all relate to delaying a decision, delaying the response to a text, watching Netflix instead of cleaning the house," she said.
People procrastinate for a variety of environmental, social, and psychological reasons, not just because they are inherently "lazy."
"We also know that most people don't like to procrastinate and want to reduce their level of procrastination.
"There are many documented negative effects associated with procrastination. These are generally related to health, school and job performance, anxiety and self-esteem."
night against postponement
Pozzi helps organize a biannual night against procrastination at QUT, an idea that caught on in Europe and North America after it emerged in Frankfurt in 2010.
"Events take place in a large open study room in our library," Ms. Pozzi said.
"We have implemented a variety of different options to address the competency-based elements of procrastination, ie competition.
"So we have staff on deck who can support academic writing, study skills, test prep strategies, research and SEO, and more.
"So we have a variety of different options for addressing the volitional elements associated with procrastination, which is interest.
"We have mental health nurses, therapy dogs, paints, puzzles, food, goals, and career and decision support."
Ms Pozzi said students could spend as much time as they wanted at the events and participate as much or as little as they wanted.
Alexandra Marks, Welfare Officer for the QUT Student Guild, who attended the last event on June 9, said that despite her best efforts, she could also be "quite a procrastinator".
She said college students can be particularly prone to procrastination because they have a barrage of distractions and opportunities at their disposal to keep them from their studies.
"There are many annoyances that make us more prone to procrastination and although some students are 'lazy' most students are just trying to manage their lives and exist," Ms Marks said.
"The Procrastination Nights are extremely helpful as they give students the opportunity to talk to the local educators about their specific problems with SEO, writing, anxiety, etc."
And the best advice you've ever received?
"I've used it throughout my college years, and even having something as small as a rough preview before testing is incredibly helpful.
"Plus, the Pomodoro technique for studying for exams is fantastic."
Can procrastination be a good thing?
Once in a while.
Ms Pozzi said "positive," "deliberate," or "active" procrastination can be used intentionally to address specific tasks.
"Like cleaning instead of paying taxes, working on an easier task that's due later instead of a harder task that's due sooner."
He said having more time to think about a task and finding the resources and information you need could be one of the benefits of intentionally procrastinating.
"The difference is feeling a sense of control and agency over how you spend your time."
How to stop hesitating
Ms. Pozzi's top tip for avoiding delays:
- Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Most of the time we hear people say, "I work well under pressure." In reality, it often feels like sleepless nights surrounded by energy drinks, packets of chips, and tears. While you can do your homework with this approach, the path to get there isn't healthy .
- Try to understand why you hesitate. Because you don't know what to do ? Ask for help . Is it because you don't like what you have to do? Promise yourself a reward or gift .
- If you find yourself procrastinating, consider therapeutic intervention to see if there are psychological factors underlying your procrastination.
- Set SMART ( specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely ) goals. We often hear students say, "I'm doing research today." Okay, what does "done" look like? It's much better to say, "Today I'm looking for 10 fonts for my homework." This way you can track progress and feel the satisfaction of being "done" by being aware of how you look .
- Find role models or study partners. Agree to work with others on an assignment to hold yourself accountable.
- Work in short bursts . We often recommend the Pomodoro technique : work 25 minutes, rest 5 minutes . The idea is that working this way will help eliminate distractions and maintain focus.
- Sleep and, more specifically, get good sleep . Avoid caffeine and screen time before bed and practice good sleep hygiene.
- eat and go out Your brain needs rest.
- Eliminate distractions. Turn off your phone or have someone hide it.
- You can also add this panel to your workspace:
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire