I have trouble with my school work due to procrastinating. And my anxiety always gets in the way. How do I get things done?

I would set small, doable goals to complete each day for each assignment. For example, if I have to write a paper that's due in 7 days, I would set the goal to do the Introduction day 1, first body paragraph day 2, second body paragraph day 3, 3rd body paragraph day 4, conclusion day 5, revision day 6 and 7. If I have a 30 page reading and 3 days to do it, I would read just 10 pages a day. That way I can slowly chip away at it instead of feeling like I have to do the whole thing in one sitting, which would make me anxious.

I have the exact same problem from time to time, and what I've found out that helps is breaking down my work is smaller sections. Let's say when I sit down to study for an exam, i write down all the topics i have to revise and calculate the time that it might take me to revise them. But make sure to set realistic goals, because if you put too much on yourself and end up not reaching a daily goal, you'll feel overwhelmed and might fall back on prosctrationation mode. Also, i would suggest to make it fun. Try to connect the work you're doing with something you enjoy (eg. a book, movie, place etc.). Set a time when to start and do 90 minutes or 2 hour intervals, with 10-15 min break in between. Make sure to set all distraction in another room aka phone, tablets. If needed for the course you'll be studying, try disconnecting the devices from the internet. Also, give yourself small treats after you finish each section (eg. chocolate or watch an episode of your fav show or a youtube video), but careful, only as long as you feel you'll be able to stop after only one episode/video. I hope this helps you. Good luck!

I encounter this on a daily basis and am still struggling with it but the most important thing to remember is that you don't want it to happen that you run out of time studying and then end up kicking yourself because you didn't study earlier like maybe at least a few days if not a few weeks earlier! I also recommend you try it out at least once and see how you feel when your work is done ahead of the deadline and see everyone else getting anxiety to finish their work the day before the assignment is due.

planning ahead is a good way to combat anxiety and it also increases productivity and reduces procrastination. make a weekly planner to start, map out what your week will look like and what you need to get done. by doing this it will not feel overwhelming when you review everything you need to do for that week. you’ll have a mapped out plan and no need to feel anxiety because this will offer a sense of security as you will be getting things done. a weekly planner helped me so much and i know it could help you too.

Procrastination often follows this format. You think of something you must do, you receive a negative reaction against that thought, you dismiss the thought as quickly as you can to halt the negative feelings. Instead of dismissing the thought when you feel the anxiety, you can use it to trigger an action. Learn to recognize the reaction. Where do you feel it? Is it a queasy feeling in your stomach? When you feel the reaction, take the action of planning one small step towards that task. Planning how you'll go about doing the task will put you into a mode of accepting the task instead of rejecting it. For example, if you have a school paper you have to work on, think about the sources you'll have to read in order to complete your assignment. Or think of what of topics you'd like to touch on with your paper.

Try to take a walk before doing your work. This will clear your mind. Bonus - try to do it with a friend or a loved one. having a conversation with them will definitely get your mind off the work and will allow you to converse. It is crucial, however, that when you do start your homework, you leave your phone and other electronic devices closed. You can leave it another room if that is better and just close your door to eliminate distractions and that urge to procastinate. I know you can do this and there are many more ways to combat procastination!

When I am feeling anxious I find it helpful to make a list of everything that needs to be accomplished (or breaking large tasks into a series of smaller ones. That way I am able to tackle things in smaller stages and don't run the risk of being overwhelmed. I also get a sense of accomplishment when I am able to check things off the list over the course of a week; it may be something as small as "read 6 pages of X textbook", or something larger such as "complete assignment for X class". I also find that when I am able to establish study groups to review things prior to tests, it forces me to get things done ahead of time, and then solidifies the information I have studied.

Procrastination is the result of avoidance, and both the result of and driver of anxiety. Anxiety associated with procrastination continues to fester and grows over time. Anxiety can become so uncomfortable that we seek relief for it, hoping there is some better way to tolerate things left undone. They say that there are four main types of avoidance archetypes, or procrastinators: the performer, the self-deprecator, the overbooker, and the novelty seeker. Figuring out which group you're in can help you break out of your procrastination patterns — and maybe even turn in something early. The rule is simple: Starting a new habit should never take more than two minutes to do. (The name of this strategy was inspired by the author and productivity consultant David Allen. He has his own 2-minute rule for improving productivity, which states, “If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.”)

I always start with my favorite topics. I can usually get them done quickly. That way they are out of the way and doesn’t add to my anxiety. But If I don’t have a favorite or have procrastinated on all of my classes then I write down everything I have to do with their due dates on a calendar. Then I break it up from their. Sometimes anxiety is from not knowing where or how to start your work. So asking for guidance from a success coach at school or a professor can help. For me, if it is a paper that I’m anxious about... I will write out a very ruff drafts that is literally just talking points then I go back and Mark in the text which parts match with which talking points then just build from their. If it’s anxiety about an exam or a test. I make sure that I do the work. The sooner I get things done the less anxiety I have.

This is something that I struggle with as well especially recently with regards to working from home. It is so difficult, I definitely can relate. The one thing that changed my mindset and behavior yesterday was talking to my partner about my insecurities, letting it out, even crying, and also accepting the compliments he gave me and accepting that if he believes in me, I should believe in myself. That yes, I am overwhelmed and mad at myself for procrastinating, however, I can change that today. I can just start and focus and work hard. I have done it before, I can do it again. It really took my partner telling me that I can do it, his faith in me, really gave me the strength I needed. But it was also me choosing to believe it and to take action to make it happen and believe in myself. Hope this helps