Overcoming Procrastination

There are many reasons why college students (and other people!) put off doing what they have to do or should do.  One of the main reasons, especially for college students, is that there are so many other fun things to do instead!   It is really hard to say ‘no’ to your friends and miss out on the immediate fun in exchange for studying that will show you little benefit until a text or quiz.  But it is the day-to-day studying that makes the difference in the long-term learning.  

Here are some ideas to motivate yourself to study on a regular basis:

• Think of banking time ahead – if you study regularly and keep up with everything you may not have to say ‘no’ when an unexpected event comes up.

• Look ahead to what is happening on the weekend, and then back up your planning.  Start with Monday and schedule time to study so that all of your work is done before the event.  You are using the event as your reward for getting everything done.

• Sometimes you just have to say ‘no.’   It is easier if you see the long-term goal you are working toward.  Write your goals on an index card and post it on the bathroom mirror so you will read it every morning.  Then do things every day to move toward that goal.

• Get on a regular schedule or routine of studying.  Go to the Library every day at the same time.  Always go to the Library to study after class instead of back to your room.

• Avoid going anywhere near your bed in the middle of the day if napping is a problem!

Remember that breaking any habit, especially procrastination, takes dedication and hard work.  The first few times you work instead of putting it off will be uncomfortable, but once you are in the habit or routine it will be easier, - not easy, but easier.  

Not Just Your Mother’s Kitchen Timer

Here are some quick time management tips using either an “old-fashioned” kitchen timer or the timer on your phone:

• If you are going to study, read or review for a short period of time, set the timer for the allotted time instead of constantly checking the clock to see how much time you have left.   This way your brain is free to concentrate on the material instead of always calculating how much more time you have.

• If you are having trouble studying a subject you do not like, set the timer for 20 minutes and only study for that length of time.  You can stand anything for 20 minutes.  And tomorrow – do another 20 minutes!

• If you are having trouble maintaining your focus or concentration, set the timer for 5 or 10 minutes and work for that time period.  Take a short break and then go for another 5 or 10 minutes.  After a day or two, lengthen the time by a few minutes.  Keep lengthening the time until you have trained your brain to stay focused for a longer period of time.

Good luck!

Taking Effective Lecture Notes – Outside the Classroom

Taking effective lecture notes is more than the strategies you use in the classroom.  Here are some ideas to improve your notes that you will do outside the classroom:

Read the textbook before class.  This will help you with the vocabulary and the basic organization of the material.  You will have an idea about the topic of the lecture.  (You might consider reviewing the book after class too!)

If your professor uses power point, print and review the slides before class.  Then take notes either directly on the slides, beside the slides or separate notes.

If you professor posts the lecture on line, print and read before class.  You should still take separate notes and then combine them with the printed lecture.

Review your notes as soon as possible after EACH class.  While you are reviewing do the following: make corrections, add words to make the information more clear, be sure you understand everything, add information from the textbook if pertinent.

Quickly review the previous notes as you wait for the current class to begin.

Use a variety of strategies to LEARN the material in your notes.  This is much more intensive than REVIEWING your notes.   Remember to use strategies that are concrete and active.

Periodically review ALL of the notes that will be on the next exam.

Remember that you are responsible for your learning and that most of it will happen outside of the classroom.  Each lecture builds on the previous knowledge, so constant review is necessary.

Tips for Effective Lecture Notes - In the Classroom

The semester has started in earnest and your lecture classes are going full throttle.   Here are some suggestions to improve your lecture notes that you can use while you are in the classroom.

• Take a good seat.  The best location is in the middle ‘T' - front few rows or straight down the room in front of the professor.  You will have better eye contact and better hearing.   Don’t be afraid to move from distractions – windows, radiators, chatting students.
• Date your notes so you can easily find a section when reviewing.  Number the pages if using a loose leaf notebook.
• Leave a lot of blank space.  This will give your eye some space to rest and the organization will be more clear.  It will also leave you room in case you need to add more information.
• Abbreviations are good because they help you write faster.  But be sure you will remember them a month or more later.  You could leave some space and complete the word later as you review.
• Only write on the right side of the notebook.  Then if you need to add more information you have the blank left page.
• Look for the professor’s organization of the material.  Watch for verbal and nonverbal signals to know what is important, how many points there are, etc.
• Write down everything the professor writes on the board.
• If the professor uses Power Point and you have access to the slides before class, print them out and take your notes directly on that paper.

Remember, you are creating an entirely new text that you will need to use for learning.  Be sure your notes are as “workable” as possible!

Next post – what to do outside the classroom to improve your lecture notes.