Teentalk

We’ve all been there! We have loads of stuff to finish but we are busy daydreaming or staring blankly at the wall in front of us. Those five minutes become thirty minutes, it then becomes two hours and it does not take much time for it to become the entire day.

Here are five things you can do to avoid falling into the trap of procrastination.

1. Do the thing you are dreading first thing in the morning

It is a proven that energy levels are highest early in the morning. Making the task you’ve been postponing as your priority and finishing it will give you ample time to tackle the remaining tasks. For example: study the subject you hate first thing in the morning.

2. Divide and finish an overwhelming task
If you have a major project to finish, and you’re totally freaking out over it, try this simple technique. Divide the entire project into segments. Deal with one segment at one time. Once you’ve finished with a segment, treat yourself with a bar of chocolate or listen to a song that you like. Once you’re fresh again, focus on the next segment.

3. Review your task list over lunch
Half the day is over by lunch time. When you’ve filled your belly, sit and evaluate all the tasks that have been done and all that are remaining. If you did not achieve much in the first half, worry not, make yourself hot chocolate, pick a task and try to finish it. Like they say, something is better than nothing!

4. The 10-minute challenge
Give yourself ten minutes to complete a task at hand. The human mind works well when it is challenged. The feeling of finishing the task will over overshadow the dread you were feeling before starting it. After ten minutes, you will feel proud of yourself for attempting the task, and feel satisfied that you completed it. Repeat this technique often.

5. Play music or eat while doing the task
Simple things like listening to your favourite list while solving Mathematics problems or eating Lays while reading English can help you get your focus back on the task at hand.

Hope these techniques helped. If you feel you want to connect to an expert, you can email us at expert@teentalkindia.com.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” – if the said phrase perfectly sums up your life during exams, then you young guns must do everything possible to keep yourselves from dulling down.

The never ending classes, tests, exams can weigh you down, we get it. While there is no escaping the academic grind, there are ways to make the most of those well-deserved breaks amidst that hectic study schedule.

Here are 5 recreational activities that will pump you up to study harder and focus better...

(The best part is, you can easily accommodate these activities in your study schedule.)

Cycling

Even though that bus ride or a quick drive seems convenient, cycle your way to school and classes instead. Taking the time to cycle will help you channelize your energies and stay focused. Not to mention the health benefits of a physical activity in between those long sittings to study.

Maintain a plant

If you care about the green inhabitants of the planet then do it for the love of plants, if not then do it for yourself. When it comes to recreational activities, keeping a plant has umpteen benefits.

One, it keeps you grounded and connected to nature. Two, it makes you step out and look forward to something apart from your books. Having a plant teaches patience and perseverance.

Our in-house Psychologist Sheena Kalia advocates these recreational activities as brain-cell boosters; “When you constantly study without taking breaks, the brain stops registering meaningfully after a while. The retention or outcome may then not be as fruitful. This is when these brief breaks to reboot can dramatically improve your concentration thus helping you gather your thoughts and return refreshed to your books”

Play music while you eat

Music is said to have a therapeutic effect on us humans. Music can help you calm your stress levels. It is said to improve your attention span and memory too but most of all, it evokes positivity.

So next time you are taking a break from studying or sitting down for dinner, remember to tune in to your favorite music.  

Phone a friend

When you sit studying for hours together without speaking to anyone, it is very easy to slip into zombie mode. Talking a few minutes out to talk to a friend can help you stay motivated and release the stress.

Discussing your study schedule with a friend will not only keep you updated but will also help you meet personal deadlines.     

Save time for a sport in your backyard or go for a jog

It might seem like a waste of time but saving 15 minutes of your precious study time for a sport or a jog will help you in ways you can’t imagine.

You need a physical activity to keep yourself from rusting and feeling lethargic. A physical activity like a walk or a jog can boost your energy levels thus helping you to study better.