The procrastination monster: every college student’s challenge.

You know what to study. Chapters. Power points. Lecture notes. Quizzes. You know how to study. Repetition. Check of knowledge. Explain the concept in your own words. Teach it to someone else. But where is the start button?

How do you find your start button?

1. Think of how good it will feel when you finish. Many people are motivated with the satisfaction of achieving something desirable. Try rewarding yourself with a nice hot drink after studying for 45 minutes. Or going out to dinner with friends after studying all afternoon.
2. If the desirability of finishing doesn’t help try the other extreme. Think how bad it will be if you don’t start. This is avoidance. Avoid the negative outcome of not starting. You will feel embarrassed if you do poorly on this test. You will be playing catch-up all semester.
3. If the promise reward or the threat of punishment don’t work for you try this. Remind yourself WHY you are doing this. Why are you taking this course? Why are you going to college? Sometimes remembering your “why” will help you find your start button.

Tim Urban describes procrastination as the monkey brain.