Almost every student procrastinates sometimes. You sit down to study, open your laptop, and somehow end up scrolling your phone instead. Before you know it, an hour has passed and nothing is done. Most people think this is laziness but it is usually because starting seems so difficult. One of the easiest ways to beat procrastination is to make the task feel smaller. Instead of telling yourself you need to study for two hours, start with just ten minutes. Anyone can focus for ten minutes and once you begin, it is much easier to keep going as you have already gone deep enough into the topic. Another helpful trick is removing distractions before you start. Put your phone in another room, close unnecessary tabs, and have all your notes ready. If everything you need is already there, you are less likely to look for excuses to stop. Short breaks can make a big difference too. I found using the pomodoro method of studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5 minute break was the best because it keeps your brain fresh without losing focus. Also, students try to aim for perfect work straight away. Many students procrastinate because they feel pressure to do everything perfectly. It is always better to start with something simple and improve it later.

Lily Powell