Why do we procrastinate? Maybe someone will figure it out eventually. Is it really that important? We can probably think about this later. Ugh, no let’s just do it now.

• There are better things to do: Of course everyone would rather go out than do their homework, but sometimes you just have to buckle down and do it.

• The project is intimidating: Sometimes we get assigned a project that seems like it can never get done (The Prince anyone?) So instead of working on it to make sure it gets done, we will push it away to save ourselves the suffering. As great of an idea as it sounds, it’s not. Really. When you have a huge project, split it into chunks and do a little at a time. This way you won’t be stressing the night before.

• Trouble focusing: You start zoning out and thinking about other things when you’re reading a textbook, or you keep checking your phone for no reason. The best advice I can give here is to sit yourself in a bright room where you won’t get tired, and keep away from any distractions. Actively try to focus on what you’re doing instead of doing it lazily.

• Not knowing where to start: If you have a planner full of things to do, it may seem impossible to even begin. I like to actually create a list of what I have to get done, and check it off as I go. I feel more accomplished when I check things off, and it puts what I haven’t done into perspective.

It’s easy to push an assignment back a few days when you don’t feel like doing it, but you’ll be less stressed and probably get a better grade if you don’t. You have to actually stop procrastinating in order to overcome procrastination. You can do it, get to work.