How to PROductively PROcrastinate

As a former International Baccalaureate (IB) student, I am proud to say that I was an expert in the art of procrastination. In fact, I often found myself putting off studying for so long that I had to resort to desperate measures just to pass my exams.

If you’re an IB student struggling with procrastination, fear not. I have some tried and true tips for putting off your studies until the last possible moment. With a little practice, you too can become a master procrastinator.

Step 1: Make a to-do list

The first step in any successful procrastination strategy is to create a to-do list. This list will help you feel like you’re being productive, even if you’re not actually getting anything done.

Start by writing down all the things you need to do, from studying for your exams to cleaning your room. Then, prioritize your list so that the most important tasks are at the top.

Once you’ve created your to-do list, take a break and reward yourself for all your hard work. Maybe watch an episode of your favourite TV show or play some video games. You’ve earned it!

Here’s a list of things you can do once you’ve made your to-do list:

1. Binge-watch a TV show: Nothing screams procrastination like a good binge-watching session. Pick a show that you’ve been meaning to watch and let the hours slip away.
2. Scroll through social media: Social media can be a black hole of endless scrolling. Use your procrastination time to catch up on the latest memes and trends.
3. Take a long shower: Procrastination can be a great excuse to take a long, relaxing shower. Just be sure not to use up all the hot water and leave yourself with no time to study.
4. Play video games: Video games are a great way to procrastinate. Just make sure you don’t get too caught up in the game and forget about your studies altogether.
5. Eat snacks: Procrastination can be an excuse to indulge in your favourite snacks. Just make sure you don’t eat so much that you fall into a food coma and can’t study at all.
6. Stare out the window: Sometimes all you need is a few minutes to stare out the window and let your mind wander. Just be sure to set a timer so you don’t lose track of time.
7. Plan a vacation: Procrastination can be the perfect opportunity to plan your dream vacation. Spend hours researching destinations and hotels, and dream about all the places you could go if you weren’t stuck studying.

While these tips may seem like fun ways to procrastinate, it’s important to remember that procrastination can have serious consequences. By putting off your studies, you’re putting yourself at risk of falling behind and not achieving your goals. So, while it’s okay to take breaks and indulge in some procrastination from time to time, be sure to stay focused on your studies and set limits for yourself.

Step 2: Get distracted

Now that you’ve created your to-do list, it’s time to start getting distracted. This is where the real fun begins.

One of the easiest ways to get distracted is to check your phone. Start by scrolling through social media and responding to any messages or notifications. Then, move on to playing games or watching videos on your phone.

If you really want to up your distraction game, try opening multiple tabs on your computer and jumping between them every few minutes. This will help ensure that you never get bored and always have something to distract you.

Step 3: Procrastinate creatively

When it comes to procrastination, the possibilities are endless. But why settle for boring old methods when you can procrastinate creatively? Another great way to procrastinate is to get creative. Maybe start writing a novel or painting a masterpiece. Sure, it has nothing to do with your exams, but at least you’re being productive in some way.

Alternatively, you could try rearranging your room or organizing your closet. It’s not studying, but it’s still a productive use of your time.

Here are some ways to procrastinate in a more unique and inventive way:

1. Redecorate your room: Why study when you can spend hours rearranging your furniture and hanging up new wall art? Procrastination can be the perfect excuse to indulge your inner interior designer.
2. Write a novel: Sure, you have a research paper due tomorrow, but why not use your procrastination time to write the next great American novel? Who knows, maybe you’ll even become a best-selling author and won’t need to worry about school at all.
3. Start a YouTube channel: Procrastination can be the perfect opportunity to start a YouTube channel. Spend hours filming and editing videos, and who knows, maybe you’ll become the next big YouTube star.
4. Learn a new language: Procrastination can be the perfect excuse to learn a new language. Spend hours listening to language podcasts and practising your new vocabulary, all while avoiding the work you’re supposed to be doing.
5. Build a fort: Who says forts are just for kids? Procrastination can be the perfect excuse to build a cozy fort out of blankets and pillows. Curl up inside and forget about your responsibilities for a while.

Step 4: Set unrealistic goals

Setting unrealistic goals is a great way to ensure that you never actually get anything done. For example, you could tell yourself that you’re going to study for 10 hours straight without taking a break.

Of course, you’re not actually going to study for 10 hours straight. But setting that goal will make you feel like you’re being productive, even if you’re not actually making any progress.

Step 5: Embrace the all-nighter

Finally, when all else fails, embrace the all-nighter. Stay up all night cramming for your exams, fueled by caffeine and sheer panic.

Sure, you’ll feel like death the next day, but at least you’ll have an excuse for why you didn’t do as well as you could have. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even surprise yourself and do better than expected.

If you’re an IB student looking to procrastinate like a pro, just follow these simple steps: create a to-do list, get distracted, procrastinate creatively, set unrealistic goals, and embrace the all-nighter. With a little practice, you too can put off studying until the last possible moment. Good luck!

But in all seriousness, procrastination is not a sustainable or healthy way to approach your studies. While it may seem like a good idea at the time, putting off your work can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even burnout.

Instead of relying on procrastination, try to develop healthy study habits that allow you to stay on track and get your work done efficiently. This could include setting a schedule, taking regular breaks, and seeking help when needed.

If you’re struggling with procrastination, it’s important to understand why you’re putting off your work in the first place. Some common reasons for procrastination include:

1. Fear of failure: You may be afraid that you’ll fail your exams, so you put off studying as a way to avoid confronting that fear.
2. Lack of motivation: If you’re not interested in your studies, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do the work.
3. Perfectionism: You may feel like you need to do everything perfectly, which can lead to procrastination as you try to avoid making mistakes.
4. Distractions: With so many distractions in today’s world, it can be hard to focus on your studies and avoid getting sidetracked

Once you understand why you’re procrastinating, you can start taking steps to overcome it. Here are some tips for breaking the procrastination cycle:

1. Set small, achievable goals: Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long to-do list, break your tasks down into small, manageable goals. This will help you feel like you’re making progress, even if you’re only doing a little bit of work at a time.
2. Find motivation: If you’re struggling to find the motivation to study, try to find a reason why you want to do well. Maybe you want to get into a certain university or pursue a specific career. Whatever your motivation is, keep it in mind as you study.
3. Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical and mental health is important for avoiding burnout and staying motivated. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and taking breaks to exercise or do something you enjoy.
4. Minimize distractions: To avoid getting sidetracked, try to minimize distractions as much as possible. This could mean turning off your phone, using a website blocker to limit your time on social media, or finding a quiet study space.
5. Use a timer: If you find yourself getting distracted easily, try using a timer to break up your study sessions into short intervals. For example, you could study for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break.
6. Stay organized: Keeping your notes and materials organized can help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of important deadlines and set reminders for yourself.
7. Get help if needed: If you’re struggling to stay motivated or feel like you’re not making progress, don’t be afraid to seek help. Talk to your teachers, classmates, or parents for support and guidance.

Remember, procrastination may feel good in the moment, but it can have serious consequences in the long run. By taking steps to break the cycle of procrastination and develop healthy study habits, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the IB and beyond.