Co-authored by Jai Flicker Last Updated: December 1, 2022

18
Design a study guide that works for you.

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Develop a personalized study guide for each subject. This can be helpful when your teacher doesn’t share a study guide or if the existing guide doesn’t really work for your learning style. Try creating flash cards, make a bulleted list of each topic you need to know, or list out all of the questions you think might appear on your exam. Refer to your textbook for review questions or turn each section heading into a question.[28]

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  If the textbook’s section heading reads, “Anthropomorphic Themes in Fairy Tales,” your study question could be, “Can I describe the use of anthropomorphic themes in fairy tales?”
  
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  Look online for study guide templates and examples as a starting point.
  

19
Try freewriting or journaling to identify why you procrastinate.

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Ask yourself, “What’s stopping me from getting started?” Usually, procrastination is an emotional issue rather than a time management issue.[29] Are you worried you’re not going to do well on an assignment? Are you feeling stressed about an upcoming test? Write down what you’re feeling, or try letting off some steam with a friend or classmate. Once you’ve gotten these stressors out of your system, set your negative feelings aside. Take a deep breath and tell yourself it’s time to shift your frame of mind so you can get to work.[30]

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  If it helps to vent to a friend, just make sure they’re willing to listen and you’re not going to distract them from their own studies.
  

20
Be kind to yourself about your procrastination habits.

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Beating yourself up won’t help you get started![31]Don’t blame yourself or try to give yourself punishments as a form of motivation. These types of behaviors can be exhausting and distracting. Instead, be gentle with yourself when you’re having a hard time. Acknowledge your procrastination problem, but remind yourself that it’s okay and that you’re working on improving.[32]

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  Avoid comparing yourself to other classmates who seem to be doing well. Everyone learns and works differently, so focus on your own needs and capabilities!
  
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  Using positive self-talk helps create a growth mindset that can help you overcome difficulties.