The Overcoming Procrastination unit in the Study Skills Handbook looks at the reasons why students procrastinate and what techniques they can try to overcome this common problem. Setting work targets with rewards at the end of each completed step is a well-known strategy, but an example of a less commonly known technique is the ‘twofer’ concept. For this technique you have two tasks, one you don’t mind doing and one you have been procrastinating about. Decide on a set period of time that you will work for. During this time, if you have any trouble working on one task or reach a point where you have a bit of a mental blank, you should then switch to the other task and alternate between them. Of course it is better to focus solely on one task, but if this isn’t working by alternating between two tasks at least you are being productive for the whole period of time and forcing yourself to do some work on the less favoured task.

You might also like to visit the Assignment Skills unit in the Study Skills Handbook for some more ideas on approaching assignments. 

To access the Handbook and these units, go to Destiny Discover-Links-Study Skills Handbook. Use your College login and password.

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