procrastination- how do you get over it?

ames123_2

I'm just starting revision and putting it off like everyone else on here. Did an hour this morning but that's it for today so far!

patwa_2

Yay! Exams are over and I'm now on holiday for the next 3 months and 27 days.

I had not done any revision for Discrete Methods which was my last exam, and the one subject I had the most trouble with. So I literally read through the entire session's lecture notes from 7am this morning until I left for the exam at 11:15. I was really nervous, when I got the paper I was sure I couldn't answer any of the questions, but in the end I just left out the one sub-part which was worth 2 out of 75 marks. So hopefully I've passed. On the plus side, I found that even if I fail it won't matter, as this was an extra course I was signed up to for some reason and is not part of my actual degree programme (looks like I was just signed up to every Level 3 computing science course rather than just the one's I needed).

Best of luck to everyone else who still have exams pending, may you gain inspiration when you need it most and reach that holiday high in the near future.

H.

brunn

well, at the moment I'm writing for my PhD - daunting task, and laden with procrastination, writer's block, call it what you will. This is what I've found works for me:

- be realistic in what I'm actually achieving - so if I'm sat for a whole day in front of the computer, but dithering about, making cups of tea, stretching my legs etc, I sit down and think about just how much work I'm doing, really. In actual fact, it's about 3 hours. So, I sit down, do 3 hours work, and the rest of the day is free, but in those 3 hours, I get down and work, no faffing.

If more work is needed, I do 2 solid hours, have a huge break and do good stuff, then another 2 solid hours.

Faz

Right I am planning on writing a 3500 word essay to hand in by 10am tomorrow morning, hoping for a 2:1 grade. I've got a hair cut appointment at 3pm so won't start on it till at least 4.30pm. However, once I start I'm pretty sure I'll be motivated to work through it. Starting is always the hardest part.. will post back my progress!

Merlin_BikeCharity

Hi

This guy has lots of great stuff.

e.g. http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/06/self-discipline


Cheers

Merlin

ames123_2

Think we should bring this back!

Got an essay due in on Friday am hoping to get it in Thursday because hoping to go home that afternoon.
I'm aiming for about 3500 words. I've done 1200, but to be honest most of it is just stuff from my head. I'm got a load of notes i've made from books, but I just look at them and think eugh and turn away. They make more sense when I originally write them down. I've got a few books and articles i've printed that I need to go through too.
I really need to do this essay, please tell me some tips, make me get it done!!

patwa_2

Same, I have coursework to be handed in Friday. I had two uninterrupted hours to do it today, but just ended up writing a chapter of my own novel instead. It's almost like, the thrill of the all-night dash the night before the hand-in date gives you that drive to work that is absent the rest of the time.

Oh well, the thought of Friday, the start of hols, the re-decorating of my house and holiday to see my girlfriend will be motivation enough I guess.

H.

Tetsuko

I go and sit myself in the library with some books I need and a sheet of paper and before I know it I've written pages of work. I can rarely get any work done at home. When my boyfriend is sitting about doing his usual nothing upstairs and my house is in dissarray I find it really hard to get motivated. Being around busy people doing busy stuff just seems to rub off.

patwa_2

I'm one of those people that just find it hard to get motivated to do the physical typing. For example, I have half of my current novel planned out in detail in my mind, but just can't muster up the drive to sit down and type it. Same with my coursework, if I had to give a speech or lecture on it I could do it no problem and probably get good marks if marked on that, but writing it is just a real chore to get started with.

H.

Catseyez

How funny...this thread always pops back up during essay time!

I've got one due for early February and I'm just about to start typing up some notes as I'm determined to get it completed in advance...for once!

Good luck with assignments everyone!