Because I am a visual learner, when working on a project for an art class I can spend 6 hours and not realize the time that has gone by. However, when I have to write a paper, it can take me just as long when I know I could have gotten it done in half of the time.
There are major Time Waster's that I always go back to when I am writing a paper. Initially, I'll go online. Facebook and Twitter are my biggest weaknesses but after that gets boring I end up calling my mom. She can talk for hours and its a perfect excuse to stay away from that blank page I know I'll have to fill eventually. The last thing I usually procrastinate with is organizing my room. I can convince myself that everything is dirty or out of place before I am able to sit down
and write.
In order to avoid these procrastination methods, I chose to experiment with the 24-Hour Rule. By creating a new deadline for anticipated essays it would psychologically force me to have these papers done a few days prior to when they are due. This way, I would write my essays due for the week first, and then be able to finish other work that is quicker or less pain-staking more efficiently without knowing that unwritten essay is there in the back of my head for me to accomplish.
The middle of my week gets extremely busy and sometimes I am overwhelmed with the work I have due. So, in order to fix this I made deadlines that were at the beginning and end of the week in order to have the middle of it free. My writing 105 presentation was not actually due until thursday but I knew that if I did not complete it the weekend before it would be gradually getting revised throughout the week and never fully done. My design history readings were due on Wednesday so by completing them a day ahead I was free to go to the studio tuesday night and work on a project instead of doing my readings. My Design history essay is also due november 16th, not the 11th. However, with only one class on Friday's, I have the entire day free. I knew I needed to spend it wisely so chose to get my essay done instead of lounging around for a few hours.
This technique worked really well for me and allowed me to plan my work around my schedule. I think I will definitely continue to use this when I see myself procrastinating or know that I specifically have a paper coming up.
I always go on Facebook too and I think if we hide our computers it'll help us study and write papers!
ReplyDeleteI also think the 24 hour rule is very helpful. It helped me a lot and I'm using it for my finals.
I understand you with your week getting busy at certain times. I have the same case, and than my week is much easier by Thursday.
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