Are there some days when you feel determined to study, stick to your schedule and achieve your goal for the day? And then an hour or so later, you start feeling lazy, laid-back and want to do something else, like chat with a friend, watch TV for some time, or go out for a stroll and postpone your work to another time or day.  This is known as Procrastination, the act of postponing or delaying something. 

As we continue to advance towards digital life, where education is getting more digitised, students are surrounded by electronic gadgets all the time and get distracted very easily with the continuous usage of the internet and smartphones. Delaying and postponing their study plans and schedules becomes a common challenge, especially during the time of examination when they feel burdened, pressurised and stressed with long hours of study.

Overcoming procrastination for students can be difficult, but with the right approach, they can learn to stop delaying or postponing things, understand the importance of time, schedule and study more effectively to be prepared even before exams. 

Thakur School of Global Education (TSGE), one of the top Cambridge international schools in Kandivali, Mumbai, emphasizes teaching students about the significance of planning and time management, through their holistic educational approach.

Lets look at some tips and effective ways for students to beat procrastination and finish their tasks timely.

Set external support - Writing down a goal can make it seem more real, for example, I will complete Science-Chapter 8 by 5th February, but sometimes writing isn't enough. Rather telling a goal to someone or informing the deadlines to another person can add a sense of accountability. Inform a friend or family member about your goal and ask them to cross-check on the due date.

Create a dedicated study space - Equip your study space with everything you need - textbooks, stationery items etc. Keep your desk tidy by removing unnecessary things. Grab some healthy snacks like dry fruits or fruits and water; all these small efforts will reduce distractions and help you focus.

Remove distractions - Buzzing text messages on smartphones, email notifications on the laptop are potential distracters that are likely to draw one focus away from studying and postponing the work. Keep them away or put them on snooze or silent mode. 

Maintain momentum - When following a study plan or schedule, maintaining momentum is the key. Therefore, in the beginning, make small goals, like setting a target to complete easy chapters/ subjects first. In other words, small study tasks or small study sessions help in gradually developing the habit of sitting for a longer study time. Remember, small wins are essential in the beginning to keep up the momentum of study. Education at TSGE, one of the best international schools in Malad (West), Mumbai, ensures teaching, learning and evaluating students consistently so that they don't feel the burden of self-study for longer hours.

Reward yourself - Don't get stressed and irritated with the everyday study, eat, sleep routine. As you accomplish sticking to a schedule and achieve your goals without postponing your studies, reward yourself with small things like giving some personal time to yourself, sleeping and resting, meeting a friend, watching a movie etc. Rewarding oneself helps in staying focused and reducing procrastination. At TSGE, one of the best IGCSE schools in Malad, Mumbai, students are always acknowledged for their achievements and are equally taught to encourage their classmates and peers that foster healthy competition in school. 

Take small breaks - Something that can be a regular feature in all your study sessions is taking a 5-10 minutes break after every 30-40 min study time; adapt the time as per your comfort. It's good to stretch and move around as it keeps one focused. This method of studying for short periods is a great way to de-stress, focus on steady progress for exam preparation and reduce procrastination.

Schedule reminders - Technology indeed is one of the biggest causes of procrastination, but it can be effectively used as a tool to beat the habit of delaying or postponing things. Students can have the benefit of a visual plan to follow by creating reminders or a digital calendar that will always send notifications for everyday study goals to keep them focused on scheduled study tasks. 

It is said that procrastination is a muscle that becomes stronger the more you flex it. Therefore, it can be strengthened by developing positive habits. Thakur School of Global Education (TSGE), one of the best schools in Kandivali, Mumbai, focuses on the holistic development of students that goes beyond academics and help them meet daily life's demands and challenges. 

The unique Cambridge curriculum, teaching methodology and regular assessment at regular intervals at TSGE, one of the best schools in Borivali West, Mumbai, prepares students for exam season in a way that encourages them to study and complete their work on time and not wait until the last minute for preparations. Evenly spaced deadlines and regular assessment tests not only yield better student work but also gets students into the practice of studying on a regular and consistent basis, thereby decreasing the chances of procrastination. 

Charles Dickens rightly said - Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.”. So never put off what you can do right away, and complete your work on time; don't get addicted to doing things at the last minute. Value your time!