Do you have homework to complete but you find yourself browsing Netflix looking for movies you can watch later on? Are you the kind of person who thinks more about what you need to do instead of actually doing it? Do you often find yourself bogged down with homework because you didn’t finish it on time?
Procrastination is the giant dragon that stands between you and the door to complete freedom after you finish studying. The dragon over you keeps reminding you that you need to beat it to move on, but a part of you refuses to go anywhere near it. But it has to be done. So how do you defeat the giant dragon called procrastination? If you’re being homeschooled, then it’s going to be a lot harder than if you were in an actual classroom.
What do you do when you just don’t want to study?
Studying effectively is much better than studying for long hours at a time. If you procrastinate, it may be helpful to understand why you do it. When you’re in a classroom environment, you study better because you’re forced to. At school, you know you have to study and your peers are doing it too, so why not? Sitting in a classroom and taking down notes is a lot different from studying at home.
If you’ve had to go to homeschooling this year, you know how hard it can be to maintain focus and discipline at home. There are too many distractions, and you can always think of something else you would do! Homeschooling and schooling from home are very different. Students who homeschool all their life are already used to the discipline and consistency it takes to learn from home. For students who are learning through virtual classes for the first time, it’s a new journey. With these study tips on how to beat procrastination, you’ll be able to defeat that dragon in no time. Get ready to learn how to defeat one of the greatest enemies you’ll meet in this lifetime: your ability to procrastinate.
1. Make a to-do list
It may sound simple, but scheduling your day can help you focus. That’s why most schools have set routines and time tables. When you know what you need to finish that day, you’ll have a higher chance of actually completing it. But don’t give yourself too much to do!
If you’re someone who procrastinates, then chances are that you feel unmotivated to do the work that needs to be done. By recognizing this part of yourself, you tell yourself, ‘Okay I know I don’t want to do this, but I know I can complete a portion of this work today.‘
You don’t actually need to study during every waking hour. Instead, schedule out times when you know you will sit down before your homework and complete it.
During this time, no one is allowed to distract you. Tell your family and friends about your schedule— and let them know not to disturb you during that time.
Your daily schedule should be flexible. Limit yourself to what you know you can accomplish, and add two or three difficult tasks into the list as well. Make your schedule every morning, so that you already know what you are likely to be doing every day. Most importantly, make a new schedule every day. Since you’re homeschooling, you have the freedom to decide your schedule. Utilize this to create a learning routine that suits you.
2. Know you have limited willpower
Everyone has limited willpower. There’s a certain amount of willpower you can extend to different tasks during the day. If you exhaust this, you won’t be able to focus on your work. That’s why you should always aim to complete the most difficult tasks early on.
When you make your schedule, design it in a way where the most urgent tasks go first. This includes any homework you have to give in. Then add the subjects you don’t enjoy studying. This way, by the time you near the end of your to-do list, you can relax more as these are subjects you don’t feel stressed over.
3. Multitasking is a no-no
Studying and concentrating go hand in hand. When you’re sitting down to study, focus on only that. When you do this, you are more likely to be able to learn what you need to. Instead, if you learn while completing chores or watching a movie, your mind gets distracted and you can’t concentrate on your task.
The coronavirus pandemic has been raging all year, and studying at home is the new normal. You may feel like you need to wait until school opens to get your learning back on track, but that can actually work against you. Don’t procrastinate about your work, and don’t try to mix homework with anything else. Listening to music while you study can be relaxing, but talking to a friend while you study won’t help. Try to focus on what you need to complete before you allow yourself any breaks.
4. Ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique?
Focusing is an acquired skill. Some people are great at it, and others aren’t so great. But it’s a skill that can be learned. Try these tips to improve learning from home.
The Pomodoro Technique utilizes short timed periods where you have to focus, combined with set periods where you can take breaks. This technique helps you both focus on your homework, as well as reward yourself every time you successfully focus on the task. To use this technique, distribute every task in your to-do list into 25 minutes schedules. After every 25 minutes, you can give yourself around five minutes of free time. During this free time, you can do whatever you want. But for those 25 minutes, you have to focus on studying alone.
After around four or five of these rounds, take a longer break of around 20 minutes. This lets you focus on your task, while also giving your mind breaks later on. The key to online learning is knowing how long you can study without feeling tired.
If you’re procrastinating, then it’s likely that you feel unmotivated about completing your work. To homeschool effectively, you need to understand what your personal learning style is. Everyone has different learning styles and doing what makes you most comfortable takes priority over what everyone else is doing. If you study better early in the morning, make use of that. If you study better when you break your schedule into studying twice a day, do that. Homeschooling is about finding your own discipline and motivation to get the job done. One of the toughest enemies you’ll meet on this path is procrastination. But like all other enemies, procrastination can be defeated.
Beating your personal challenges may sound difficult, but online learning can be a rewarding experience. You set the course for your success. Virtual classes are a great way to give you structure while you school from home. Take a class with Learning Links Academy to make the most of online learning today!
Learning Links promotes meaningful education and personal growth to help find what students really want for their careers and lives!
Click on the button below to find out how we make great education possible.
