Procrastination

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scienceisbeauty

scienceisbeauty

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Well, my username is scienceisbeauty and I am a procrastinator.
I make myself completely and utterly miserable ..and I need help. I think this procrastination has gotten worse so much worse because of a recent fight I had with my thesis supervisor and my somewhat decided decision to withdraw from the honours thesis stream of the psychology program

But really, truly, guys I've never been so much sadder ever ...and I need someway of knowing how to get over this PROCRASTINATION habit that I have.

It's RUINING my life. I do it KNOWINGLY and I can't seem to stop...aurhg.

Does anyone have any advice or has anyone experienced a similar problem? What did you do about it?

This isn't really 'medical or professional' advice that we're not allowed to give here on the forum, more so ...the type of advice lots of students at one time or another need. But seriously, this procrastination is slowly ruining my life.
Someone help!!
 
scienceisbeauty said:
Well, my username is scienceisbeauty and I am a procrastinator.
I make myself completely and utterly miserable ..and I need help. I think this procrastination has gotten worse so much worse because of a recent fight I had with my thesis supervisor and my somewhat decided decision to withdraw from the honours thesis stream of the psychology program

But really, truly, guys I've never been so much sadder ever ...and I need someway of knowing how to get over this PROCRASTINATION habit that I have.

It's RUINING my life. I do it KNOWINGLY and I can't seem to stop...aurhg.

Does anyone have any advice or has anyone experienced a similar problem? What did you do about it?

This isn't really 'medical or professional' advice that we're not allowed to give here on the forum, more so ...the type of advice lots of students at one time or another need. But seriously, this procrastination is slowly ruining my life.
Someone help!!
Click to expand...

You don't want to know what I did about it tonight! I relied on previous research to make short work out of my RM-II assignment. While not exactly disingenuous, It certainly smacks of laziness... still my homework is DONE and I can procrastinate some more!

My non-professional advice... In the words of Bob Newhart, "Just stop it." (If any one has seen the episode where he is playing a psychotherapist on SNL, you'll immediately get the reference.)

Mark
 
I don't know, but I'd like to join ProcrastAnon too.

I have a perfectly good professor who said he'd be delighted to be my advisor, and in fact he keeps reminding me of this, really, all I have to do is email him and he'd be glad to set up a meeting...his office hours are posted right outside his door...stop in any time...

IF I EVER THINK OF A THESIS TOPIC!

Seriously, I've put this off until what is supposed to be my graduating semester, and this is going to take a year to complete, so I will be staying on an extra year simply because I keep vaguely flipping through my old textbooks trying to think of something groundbreaking and stunning I could do with zero budget and 100 undergrad subjects, when I could be finished with a nice, safe, boring thesis based on analysis of one of the faculty's research here. But no, I have to come up with something that's MINE, except I haven't in the past YEAR, and now I get to not graduate for an extra 2 semesters, or graduate without honors. Actually I had a really nice thesis topic, but it ended up not working out, and I never quite recovered.

Not to mention I've put off getting research experience in general. I'm a senior, and I have all of 3 months of research experience for which I can't even get a letter of rec, because my direct supervisor doesn't have a PhD.

If I had been more on the ball, I could have 2 solid years of research experience AND a solid thesis, but instead I've got neither, and I've been putting off ALL the difficult science courses which are optional for a psych major but would look nice on my application, like physics, chem, bio, etc.

My name is chaos, and I have a problem. 🙄

But really, I don't think there is any practical advice except set aside an hour that is devoted solely to thinking up ways to dig yourself out of the various holes you've dug yourself into. Set a timer. And if you can't think of anything, join me in a pint of consolatory Hagen-Daz!
 
I have pretty bad procrastination problems that I've learned to curb, sometimes. My issue is when I have a moderate amount of work and some 'free' time, I end up blowing through my free time, and then into my 'work' time...and then I'm playing catch up.

Some easy things I do to counteract these tendencies:

1. Set artificial deadlines (I learned this from an assistant)
2. Do only one thing at a time, though don't do it more than a few hours at a time. If I keep it more fresh, I seem to do better.
3. Reward myself when I make some good progress.
4. Add more things to my list, and force myself to not have down time.

-t
 
Sternberg's definition of intelligence:
1. Recognize that there is a problem (which you have done)
2. Identify the problem (Procrastination)
3. Construct a solution to the problem
4. Mentally represent the problem solution
5. Allocate mental resources to solve the problem
6. Monitor the solution

Goodluck!
 
One of my professors in undergrad told our class she had a friend in med school who would set work deadlines based off her bathroom usage. In other words, she had to hold it until she finished doing x, y, and z.

One would think a med student would realize how incredibly unhealthy that is both psychologically, and physically.

On a more serious note, and as someone who is working on this themselves, the key is setting artificial deadlines (which for me, even if I don't meet them I usually at least try), and personally, I find setting a schedule helps. That is, schedule time into your week for task x. If its in my schedule I'm more likely to do it.
 
Ya that would be terrible - "holding it in". But I was considering not eating until I finished something...*SIGH*
I'm supposing that would be a bad idea.

I am currently at work on something (2:24 am) that is due for 8 am tomorrow. *SIGH*
I suck.

Procrastination is making me more depressed. 🙁 I really like all the suggestions thus far.

I think that this will all come in handy, and will also be helpful for others. Keep the stuff coming guys...if anyone has suggestions re: how to fix or try and get over procrastination. It's leading me down a terrible terrible path. 🙁

Boy, it just has to come at a time where I have ALSO fought with my thesis advisor. *SIGH* *SIGH* This too shall pass
 
5:54 and I'm FINALLY done!
I seriously need som 5-step program
 
Although I am definately not the master of time-management, a few things have helped me throughout my schooling and in work in terms of learning to not procrastinate. First of all, I'll preface this by saying that I have trouble working very late at night. I get tired and cranky post 11pm and also anxious if something is due in a number of hours and I have not completed it (I call it fear of "Oh-my-goodness-i'm-not-going-to-have-anything-to-turn-in-except-a-blank-page" syndrome, which can be extremely debilitating for me. Fear of paper anxiety is sometimes enough to motivate me to get my butt working. But the following things have also helped me avoid procrastination.

(1) I make "to-do" lists. Seemingly simple, but highly effective. Crossing things off of a list makes me happier than it probably should.
(2) I prioritize the lists with artificial deadlines for each thing I have to do.
(3) If there is something that I REALLY DO NOT want to do and that I am dreading, I do it first. That way, I feel good that I have at least started to work on something that I dislike.
(4) Reward yourself when you complete something or when you work on soemthing for a number of hours. (e.g., If I complete this project tonight, I will treat myself to a pedicure tomorrow). Hard work deserves reward.
 
I agree that setting artificial deadlines is a great idea.

Another thing that works for me is to open a document for it or begin prep work early on. While that doesn't get the job done, if I have a Word doc open for my thesis or paper (or whatever) and the title page and references mostly done, it's much easier to simply add a little at a time. For me, at least, I think the procrastination just comes from a dread of getting started, so if I break it into smaller pieces and do it slowly over a longer time, it works out better.... I think starting earlier also gives us "internal processors" more time to let an idea develop inside our minds before we sort of vomit it out...
 
I am a HUGE procrastinator-- sometimes I wonder how I ever get anything done. Right now it is 2:02pm and I have yet to start doing any work. The key is to be super productive at certain times and places, so you can get a whole bunch of stuff done at once (allowing you to enjoy some wonderful procrastination time later). For example, I often go to coffee shops where they have no WiFi (as internet is my primary source of procrastination), and fueled with caffeine, I will do a week's worth of work in about 6 hours. Speaking of which....time for me to stop this procrastination and head to Starbucks!
 
psychanon said:
I am a HUGE procrastinator-- sometimes I wonder how I ever get anything done. Right now it is 2:02pm and I have yet to start doing any work. The key is to be super productive at certain times and places, so you can get a whole bunch of stuff done at once (allowing you to enjoy some wonderful procrastination time later). For example, I often go to coffee shops where they have no WiFi (as internet is my primary source of procrastination), and fueled with caffeine, I will do a week's worth of work in about 6 hours. Speaking of which....time for me to stop this procrastination and head to Starbucks!
Click to expand...


I do the same thing to study, and WiFi is the devil's tool for procrastination. :laugh: I'm pretty much on cruise control until January, so I've been surfing more. I'm trying to write a few chapters of a book over the next few months, though something tells me I may need to spent A LOT more time at coffee houses, and A LOT less time surfing the web.

-t
 
I have the unfortunate problem that while I get alot done at these places, I also drink a lot of coffee there which leads to 1) Health problems for me that result in missed work later (long story) and 2) No sleep that night which decreases productivity the next day.

I've tried decaf, but it just doesn't work as well, its the combination of caffeine and the environment that appears to do the trick for me.

In conclusion - location choice is a complicated decision for me😉
 
Ollie123 said:
One of my professors in undergrad told our class she had a friend in med school who would set work deadlines based off her bathroom usage. In other words, she had to hold it until she finished doing x, y, and z.
Click to expand...

That is the funniest thing I've heard all day. :laugh: Gross, but funny.

bookworm06 said:
(1) I make "to-do" lists. Seemingly simple, but highly effective. Crossing things off of a list makes me happier than it probably should.
(2) I prioritize the lists with artificial deadlines for each thing I have to do.
(3) If there is something that I REALLY DO NOT want to do and that I am dreading, I do it first. That way, I feel good that I have at least started to work on something that I dislike.
(4) Reward yourself when you complete something or when you work on soemthing for a number of hours. (e.g., If I complete this project tonight, I will treat myself to a pedicure tomorrow). Hard work deserves reward.
Click to expand...

These are great ways to keep yourself on task. I am also one who gets the thing I hate the most done first. Sometimes, however my "to-do" list is more about what is burning most brightly on my desk (i.e., what is due tomorrow).

I don't do artificial deadlines. I am not so easily decieved by myself and I always know when I'm lying. 🙄 They don't work for me.

Rewards,however, work great! Mine have to be immediate though. I usually allow myself 15 minutes of play on a computer game (addictinggames.com) when X is done. Sometimes it's solitaire. Whatever helps me feel like I have gotten a treat.

I had big papers due at the end of my first semester in grad school. I knew about them all along, got my topics approved and even got most of the research done weeks ago. However, I procrastinated on the actual writing until I was over a barrel to get it done. Next semester, I vow to write some every week and keep the ball rolling. Unless I put it off... 😱
 
You posted a website that contains addicting internet games.

Any helpful advice you offered was just negated several times over by pointing people to that site, which was actually the source of most of my procrastination senior year of undergrad😉
 
I go to holiday parties, since every dept. seems to think I'm in their program (everyone knows me, for better or worse 😀 ) I think there have been 4-5 gatherings in the last week, and that has been quite a distraction!

Speaking of.....

phd121707s.gif


-t
 
Holiday parties are not only a source of procrastination, but can actually be very helpful!

I just got back from one myself, and spent a fair bit of time networking with some of the hospital big whigs. I think I was the only grad student there, so hopefully they will remember me when it counts🙂
 
Ollie123 said:
Holiday parties are not only a source of procrastination, but can actually be very helpful!

I just got back from one myself, and spent a fair bit of time networking with some of the hospital big whigs. I think I was the only grad student there, so hopefully they will remember me when it counts🙂
Click to expand...

It sounds like you've been listening to my rants about the importance of networking!! 😀

-t
 
Hey, I'm half-businessman too (was actually my original career goal) and had managed to network my way into a sweet internship with Merrill Lynch in NYC before turning said internship down in favor of doing lab research for free! The days I think about what the person who took my place is earning compared to me are very sad days, but at least I'm doing what I love! (I'd never have managed in the financial sector - people are just ruthlessly competitive and while I can act like that when there is a need, I think it would make for a miserable life).

So don't take TOO much credit! I was networking long before I knew SDN existed😉
 
I think it's really important to figure out why it is that you're not getting your stuff done. Is it just a lack of focus? Self-administered behavioral regimes like rewarding yourself with game time (or, um, not going to the bathroom) can help. But it might also be that you don't have the skills required for effective time management. There are courses, books, and campus resources to help with that. Finally, I know that procrastination can sometimes arise from more serious issues (not really wanting to do what you're doing, being afraid of success or failure). So, some reflection about why things aren't getting done can help you to find the best course of action.
 
*nod, nod*
Agreed JN.

Right now I'm still strugglin with the fight w/ the prof thing...I think thats part of whats drivin the procrastination 🙁

P.S. T4C - I'm totally addicted to phdcomics *SIGH*
 
scienceisbeauty said:
P.S. T4C - I'm totally addicted to phdcomics *SIGH*
Click to expand...


I forget exactly when I first found them (maybe 2ish years ago? 3?), but I literally caught up in less than a week. I was on deadline for some research and I just didn't feel like doing it, so I started from the beginning of the strip. I'd read a bunch and then bookmark where I left off, and kept doing that until I finished.

-t
 
I just spent 6 hours on this forum. I have an essay due tomorrow ....SIGH
 
scienceisbeauty said:
5:54 and I'm FINALLY done!
I seriously need some 5-step program
Click to expand...

Sometimes...I scare myself. See that essay ^ ...yup the one I waited until LAST possible minute to finish? Well, I got 39/40 on it. I don't get it.
 
I really need to stop. It's going to catch up to me. Like for this essay (currently have not started). It's supposed to be 17 pages min, 20 pages max. In Cog Neurosci; so far, I'm doing fairly well (not including a final exam which I think is going to pull it wayyy down) 🙁. This essay is going to be the death of me.
Hopefully I can pull what I did on the last essay ...but it be unlikely. So far all I have is the first word of the title "The _______"
Yeah. I suck. 🙁
 
scienceisbeauty said:
I really need to stop. It's going to catch up to me. Like for this essay (currently have not started). It's supposed to be 17 pages min, 20 pages max. In Cog Neurosci; so far, I'm doing fairly well (not including a final exam which I think is going to pull it wayyy down) 🙁. This essay is going to be the death of me.
Hopefully I can pull what I did on the last essay ...but it be unlikely. So far all I have is the first word of the title "The _______"
Yeah. I suck. 🙁
Click to expand...

Procrastination is even a bigger demon in graduate school where the workload requires management... I keep hearing.... "It's a marathon, not a sprint!" I am so glad winter break is here... so I can do more homework??? WTF! Homework over winter break of 2 weeks... and quite a bit of it no less.

At least I passed Physiology and got a 96 on my Stats II midterm. Why stats II is easier than stats I, I do not know! So ya, I have to build a 1 hour presentation, build a website survey for our lab, write a results section for Research Methods II, get familiar with the WISC so I can give it well when I get back, and write a few papers. Ya, thanks for the nice break.

Mark
 
Poor Mark :I Thas no break at all...oh well, at least you don't have to travel to and from school I guess right? I mean sit at home in your jammies and do the stuff you need to get done?
Congrats on the 96 in your course midterm! That's what I'm currently getting in this cog neurosci class (minus the final exam which has yet to be calculated - but it's going to pull me down I know)

But because I'm now hooked that student doctor is a GOOD LUCK CHARM :luck: since I posted on here and got a 98% on a last min done essay, I'm hoping that the same will happen here. So far: I have a topic (WOOT!) and
2 pages (of minimum 17).

My topic = functional underconnectivity in autism
It's 3:30 am. It's due at 11:59.
 
I think not only do I have a procrastination prob (but I'm workin on it -- see I already want to start my crazy is not real paper)

But I think I have an I'm addicted to studentdoctor.net problem 😛

4:06 and still from 3:30 when I posted till now, I did not anything more than my 2 pages. ARUGH. BLAH BLAH BLAH bum bum cookies and turtles and life and other things.
 
Ok, it's 6:44 and I now have 7 pages. GRR....can't wait until I'm done. feel so damn unmotivated But frig.
 
Ollie123 said:
You posted a website that contains addicting internet games.

Any helpful advice you offered was just negated several times over by pointing people to that site, which was actually the source of most of my procrastination senior year of undergrad😉
Click to expand...

I would apologize if I didn't KNOW that people find a kajillion ways to procrastinate on their own. 🙄
 
Ok, I have 13 pages of 17.
It's 7 pm.
5 pages in 4 hours and 59 minutes. It's like a page a minute.

This ...forum...is my good luck charm. :luck::luck::luck::luck:

I want to replicate the result from my last procrastination fiasco.
 
Do you have restrictions to what fond you are supposed to use?
Usually my professors stick to the APA guidelines which either require Times New Roman or Courier. Courier is spaced out a lot more than Times New Roman so this might "help" you tremendously.
If you have said everything you want to say in ~14 pages it might not be helpful to just fill the pages, it might just bring down your grade.
 
1 more page! 1 more page. I have 1 more hour!
I can write 1 page in 40 mins. I can because I need to write a "conclusion".
BAHBUMKIS AND PEARS AND WORMS.
I can hardly wait to be done.

Look, I decided I don't even care anymore. I have a 96 in the course thus far This essay is worth 35%. But I still don't have my grade back for my last exam -- I think I must have gotten like an 80 at the VERY lowest but probably an 83 because I sort of was way way way thrown by a 8 mark question. I think I got 0 on it. So it was out of only 49.

I am ALMOST DONE WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO

It's due at 11:59. But I have to take time to do my refs.

**********BUUUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYYYYY WORKINNNNNNNNNN****:luck:
 
We have to use 11 pt font, Times New Roman. 1 in margins all around.
 
I like the look of Times New Roman font, but I go to Arial if I need a bit more length. I am a very concise writer, so page limits are bad, but it seems to be preferred when I articles and whatnot.

-t
 
Sat -- go to cousin's place to see the new baby she had, come home study stuff for next semester/research grad schools (as I'm doing right now)
Sun -- do that "crazy is not real" essay ...or at least start on it

Boo yah!
 
scienceisbeauty said:
Sat -- go to cousin's place to see the new baby she had, come home study stuff for next semester/research grad schools (as I'm doing right now)
Sun -- do that "crazy is not real" essay ...or at least start on it

Boo yah!
Click to expand...


Aren't you an undergraduate? How come you have do schoolwork over the break?
 
scienceisbeauty said:
We have to use 11 pt font, Times New Roman. 1 in margins all around.
Click to expand...

Marissa4usa said:
YUCK!!! No way of "cheating"😀 !!!!
Click to expand...

Not that it's useful for this particular paper, but you'd be surprised at how big a difference a 1.1/1.2 margin all around can make. Not a difference visible to the naked eye, but can totally boost you to that page length you need. Or so I've heard. Not that I've ever done anything of the sort. 😀
 
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