Are you a master procrastinator? Is there uni work that you’ve been putting off that you can’t quite motivate yourself to do? No fear, here are our top 5 tips for productivity 

1)    Reward yourself

There’s no motivator quote like the promise of something good afterwards! If you struggle with bigger tasks, keep it small. Buy a box of your favourite chocolates and then line the pages of a revision book with them – get through 5 pages, that’s one treat, and so on. 

2)    Fill your time 

If you don’t have anything fun going on around your work, it’ll be easier to slump. It will feel like all you’re doing is work. Your time should be equally split into doing things you need to do, like revision, doing things you enjoy and doing things that focus on your wellbeing.

3)    Have someone check up on you

Sometimes you need someone to give you a (metaphorical!) kick up the bum. Have a parent or housemate come and check in on you to make sure you’re doing your work. Or, if you live alone, have someone call you to check in. Just make sure that a check-in doesn’t turn into another way to procrastinate! 

4)    Sort out what you need to do

9 times out of 10, the reason people put things off is because they haven’t put things into an actionable list. A really easy way to do this is to use Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important principle. By splitting things into the four categories listed in the picture below (Urgent and Important, Urgent but not Important, Important but not Urgent and Not Urgent or Important) you can focus on things that have sooner deadlines. 

5)    Understand why you’re procrastinating

Lastly, this is your reminder that sometimes procrastination is a coping mechanism for something deeper. Take some time to understand why it is you’re putting something off - are you stressed?  Feeling low in mood? That’s okay. Take a break, look after yourself and remember that you’re more important than any assignment. 
If you need someone to talk to about university stress, our Peer Listening service is confidential and free. Our Listeners are trained by the Advice Centre and they’re students too, so they know exactly what you’re going though. 

You got this!