Stress Less Week

Procrastinating important tasks is something we are all guilty of, but the way in which we procrastinate is where we differ. 

Instead of getting overwhelmed with that 10,000 word essay and turning to unhelpful habits involving Netflix and chocolate, opt to procrastinate in a structured way. 

Start with small tasks or things that need to get done but aren't super time critical. They can be relevant to your bigger project or they can be jobs that need doing around the house, that when completed, leave you feeling accomplished. Once you get the ball rolling on one productive activity, you are likely to keep the momentum going to get to your more challenging tasks complete too. Being self-aware about the tasks that will motivate you to get back to work vs. the tasks that will drain you of energy is the key to this.

Productive ways to procrastinate

• Exercise: Taking a break from work to get up and do some form of exercise, whether that be a short walk, online yoga class, gym set or dancing around your house, will allow you to refocus on the task with renewed energy.
• Tidy your workspace: A messy and disorganised study space can make it impossible to concentrate. Set your timer for 20 minutes and tidy as much as you can in that time. Your space will feel fresh and you will be better equipped to get your work done afterwards. You could also listen to an informative podcast while you tidy to get even more out of your study break.
• Procrastinate with smaller tasks: Sometimes completing the small tasks necessary for an assignment first can be the starting point you need. Try writing a basic essay plan, building the table of contents or designing a cover page as a starting point. If you need assignment help, you can book in a free session with our Academic Support Coordinator here.