Do you ever find yourself doing something completely different from what you’re supposed to be doing? Telling yourself “let me just check this one thing and i’ll get back to it” but one thing leads to another and you’ve been doing this for more time than you’ve spent on your target task? Students often get sidetracked due to piles upon piles of schoolwork. As assignments, projects, and exams pile up, students may struggle to prioritize and manage their time as well as other needs. This can lead to procrastination as they are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks they need to complete. Instead of completing each of the tasks one by one, they may find themselves scrolling through social media or watching videos to escape the stress temporarily.

Over time, this nasty habit can also affect their thinking on completing other non-academic tasks. Studies have shown harsh effects on both mental and physical health, including stress, anxiety and low life satisfaction. However, many fail to NOT view this as a completely helpless situation. 

Here are 3 ways stay productive;

1. Set stern goals.

Even if it’s “I will stand up and throw this paper away at 7:03”. As long as you abide by that, it is still one step closer to getting things done.

2. Get rid of ALL distractions.

Phone chimes were especially made to make you stop what you’re doing to check what’s going on. 

3. Reward yourself.

“For every 3 questions solved, I will eat a chip.” 

Little by little, inch by inch, these small changes in your everyday life can make a difference.