by Kaitlyn Dyer

Created on: June 29, 2010   Last Updated: June 30, 2010

Procrastination: that dreadful word that your mother uses when she wants you to finish your homework and you just don't have the time.  "I have a date and I've got to get ready!"  "Sorry, Mom, just got distracted!"  "Mom, can't it wait?  I'm in the middle of something!"  But as many excuses as you come up with, you know that later you're going to suffer the consequences of wasting time: a late night of trying to finish all that homework.  You are a procrastinator.

It's almost addictive, the procrastination game.  So how does a high school student get out of this trap?  How can you get over procrastination?

Not easily.  Take some advice from the world's worst procrastinator.  My favorite thing to do was to avoid my responsibilities.  I hated doing homework, and while I always got it done, it usually meant having to stay up all night doing hasty typing and bleary-eyed printing in order to get a big project finished.  Sound like you?  Here are a few tips to help squash your procrastination habit.

Develop a schedule.  Oftentimes, time-wasters just don't know how to appropriately manage their day.  They tell themselves they will get to it eventually, and then run out of time to get the task accomplished.  For a high school student, scheduling your time means that the moment you arrive home, you begin your homework.  If you jump into it, you're less likely to forget that homework exists, and more likely to get it done quickly so that you can do what you want.  High-school students should also ask their teachers about projects way in advance, so they can start planning for those projects.  Setting an early due date can help a student avoid pulling a last minute all-nighter.

Track your progress.  Sometimes, it's nice to have a little reminder of all that you are getting accomplished.  Make a list of the things you need to get done.  As you complete tasks, you can mark them off on your list.  This shows that all the work is going towards something.  You might enjoy it when you recognize that you are finally getting some work done.

Make the work more fun!  When studying for my AP tests, I would bring a doodle pad.  History, it so turns out, is great to make funny doodles for.  Whenever I found myself losing focus or getting bored, I would draw or write some funny remark about what I was reading.  Tear off the sheet and keep your drawings

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