How to Avoid Procrastination Coming Back from Spring Break
Spring break on the horizon got us through the flurry of writing assignments and the intensity of exams that preceded it. After two-and-a-half weeks away from the classroom and the demands of school, it can be challenging for students and teachers alike to get back into the swing of things. With less than ten weeks before the summer break (yes, less than ten!), it is important to bounce back quickly and finish strong. Several students and faculty offered terrific advice on how to do just that.
Number one: Return to your good habits (or form them now). Sophomore Roxanne Goldman hit the nail on the head when she said, “After Spring Break, I try to get back into the same routine of going to sleep on time.” Sleep is often the first thing that falls by the wayside over vacation and is sacrificed during the school year to meet homework deadlines, prepare for tests, and fulfill the many other obligations we have. As we all know from experience, having slept too few hours one night makes for miserable and unproductive days to follow. In addition to getting enough sleep, a consistent sleep schedule (going to bed and waking up at the same time each day) is also important. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “having a regular sleep schedule can positively affect key areas in your life including your mental and physical health as well as performance. Getting enough sleep from a regulated sleep schedule can make it easier for you to cope with daily stress and less likely to be impacted by minor negative things that can come up.” In addition to rest, returning to your regular exercise routine and diet can help jolt you out of Spring Break mode and back to reality.
Next, revisit your schedule (or create one). A schedule is key to helping you leave Spring Break behind and focus on the weeks ahead. 10th grader, Leyla Kalagoglu loves google calendar, “all my classes are already there so its easy for me to see what work I have and when its due. I build my schedule around my work so I like that its all in one place.” It is a great tool to ensure nothing falls through the cracks, as well as maintain some semblance of balance among school, extracurricular activities, and personal time. A detailed calendar, whether written or kept digitally, is an opportune way to make sure that all meetings, deadlines, appointments, activities, and social events are recorded. If you are overly optimistic about the time it should take you to do your homework or study for a test, it can throw off the rest of your day or week, causing unnecessary stress. Similarly, overscheduling leaves too little time to relax and recharge and, ironically, can make one less productive.
Finally, accentuate the positive and get motivated. Returning to school with a smile after weeks of fun in the sun, on the slopes, or chilling at home probably requires a little (or a lot of) effort. Goldman’s upbeat attitude is a great approach: “I try to be happy we had a break and not just upset it’s over. I get to see friends and teachers.” In addition to looking on the bright side, setting goals is a great way to move forward. Sophomore Aliya Chawla recommends looking back at mistakes so they are not repeated and focusing on successes for motivation, “I always look at my old assignments to jog my memory”. She also recommends taking a few minutes to write down what you would like to accomplish before the end of the school year.
Ultimately, it’s important to reestablish those positive habits, develop a routine that works for you, and find your motivation. Now, it’s time to push forward with enthusiasm!
