NE seminar helps to end procrastination, soon-ish

By Victoria Cross/reporter

Procrastination may be common among college students, but a NE success coach gave students tips on procrastination extermination Oct. 22.

“With balancing families, jobs and school, it’s easy to let something fall between the cracks,” Amy Reece said. “You have to find what works for you.”

The group was challenged with the question “Why do you procrastinate?”

“I like the rush of waiting to the last minute. I do my best work,” one student said.

Some said they prefer working under a deadline to make a thrill out of an ordinary task.

At times, students find other things to occupy time instead of studying.

“What I would like to do instead of studying is going to school seminars for extra points in other classes,” a NE health and business major said.

Even something productive still keeps students’ attention from the main priority, Reece said.

Tips to avoid procrastination include planning breaks in study sessions to stop burnouts, removing distractions when studying like social media and loud noises and keeping the momentum going with a to-do list so students can hold themselves accountable.

“Even when I am studying or working on an assignment, I give my phone to my husband to avoid distracting myself,” Reece said.

After studying or finishing an assignment, Reece said it’s important for students to reward themselves with something small to ease the next task. Planning ahead and creating a feasible action plan can assist them with attaining the greater reward.

“When you have a big paper due at the end of the semester, plan it out through the months so it’s not so overwhelming at the last minute,” she said.

Students received handouts as examples of an action plan to better manage time spent on big projects.

Unlike most four-year schools, TCC provides tools such as free tutoring and student workshops to eliminate procrastination before it starts, Reece said.