How to not procrastinate at UT Tyler

The great Walt Disney once said that “the way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.”

Procrastination is something that every college student has to deal with. I know that it affects me every day.  For example, I would much rather watch Game of Thrones, play video games, read, swim, watch grass grow, and pretty much anything else than write my 20 page research paper that’s due in less than a week now.  Ironically, as I continue to put off my paper, I am writing this very blog about how to stop procrastinating. 

This is an extremely popular topic – one that both Dallas and Emmy wrote on.  However, that does that not mean that occasional reminders do not help.  Hopefully, with this post I can help bring to light some old and new ideas on how to stop putting things off and starting getting things done. Let's stop talking and start doing!

That Big Book Review: 10 Slightly Clumsy Steps

AKA my writing process.

AKA
Via All Voices

So I'm taking a shot at writing about my writing process. I am also doing this to avoid writing a paper I have due next week. Get ready, y'all, I'm about to blow your minds. Drum-roll please! I have no idea what I'm doing. 

Procrastination: How to combat it before it is too late

I have made it to the end of the yellow brick road and all of it's glory but alas, I have procrastinated on two projects and now they stand before me, materialized like the Wicked Witch of the East with her green jalapeno nose and awesome ruby red glittery flats!

That is how I felt last Friday as the fabulous weekend approached in it's awesomeness.
It was a let down to know that I had these projects to take care of.  So, of course, the first thing I did was made a list of the projects that need to be completed. Making lists are always helpful for those like myself who are absentminded.

The projects that fill that Wicked Witch are:
1) a visual basic program that is mostly done
 2) some parts of my biology lab report

As you can see, my procrastination isn't truly procrastination. The thing that is holding me back is not knowing enough to fully complete what is due. The way to fix such a problem is quite easy but it isn't easy.

Contacting your professor and TA by email and seeing if by expressing your problems and hoping that it would be enough to keep your grade from falling If your procrastination isn't the same flavor as my procrastination. Don't worry because I have some tips for those who just don't have the motivation. 


  1) use some sort of plug in on your web browser to restrict your use of social networks to knuckle down. I use Google Chrome and the extension called StayFocused.
2) talk a walk outside. no more than 15 minutes. just clear your head and breathe fresh air
 3) contact those who know what you are trying to complete. they could possibly give you some direction.

That's all the tips i've got for ya'll!

I will leave you with this one antidote:

Just know that next time, you are procrastinating on something and feeling a bit lonesome.

 that there is always someone, somewhere , who is also procrastinating.

so you should find them and have a procrastination party! (kidding, mostly) 

The Procrastinator’s Guide to Not Doing Terribly in College

This is a blog post for all students, whether they are freshmen, upperclassmen, graduate students, or exploring the complicated world that is college academia at UT Tyler.  A common issue of procrastination exists amongst all students of higher learning, with varying magnitude amongst each individual.  However, now is the time to break the common mold that you may have already set yourself in; use this blog as a clean slate to disrupt the norm of educational procrastination.

Now, I know myself to be a consistent procrastinator, but that does not mean I am ok with it.  On the contrary, I constantly try to find new ways to make myself study and do work in a more efficient manner in relation to time, rather than put off assignments until they are either more convenient for me, or when they are due the next morning.  Many others have similar habits, and there are effective tips to combating these potentially harmful trends.

Online Classes at UT Tyler

Students entering their first year of the college lifestyle at UT Tyler will find quickly that core level courses can be a little overwhelming.  Whether it is the change in pace from their high school class experiences, or if they are brave enough to take a full class load in their first semester (generally 15 hours), it can be highly stressful for the first-time college student. 

A solution often suggested by the freshman advising staff is for incoming students to take at least one online course through UT Tyler.  This is a great educational opportunity, as it allows you to work at your own pace within certain parameters, and you can finish all of your assignments and tests from the leisure of your own computer.  Most often for freshman at UT Tyler, the recommended online courses are for topics such as humanities, core history courses, and sometimes even science classes through another university.  This blog post will serve as a primer for new students with online classes, as there are often situations where these classes are more than we originally expect.

 

1) Different format, same principle  

First, keep in mind that just because the class is in an online format, it is no less as important as a class that requires you to meet in person with the professor.  An online course has all of the same expectations as a regular course: due dates for assignments, a textbook for you to study, the student should prepare adequately for tests and projects, etc.  Avoid the temptation of thinking less of the class because it is online.  This will result in a grade you will not expect or appreciate on your transcript.

2) PROCRASTINATION IS THE BANE OF ONLINE CLASSES  

I know this from experience.  The student will put off the work that is required from an online class because the class does not actually meet.  AVOID THIS.  Try to have your assignments and tests finished as soon as possible.  Not only do they pile up quickly, but also they accumulate along with the assignments given from in-person classes, making them seem like a lesser priority.  Treat this class like any other; otherwise, it will not be a cheery experience.

3) The professor is not imaginary  

More often than not, the professor for your online course is a UT Tyler faculty member.  Meaning, the person has a pulse, an office, and an opinion about your work, and is paid and lives to assist you with you studies.  Utilize his privilege, as it is possible for you to get overwhelmed with your class and require assistance or guidance.  You will quickly find that this visit could be the deciding factor between getting a B and earning a well-deserved A for the course.

Visit an advisor today for more info!

If you feel like I am missing something, or there is some other concern, I refer you to my third suggestion.  While you are signing on for your online course, see who is leading/teaching the course and go visit them during their office hours!  They will give clarification to anything that you feel is unclear, or answer any other questions that you might have about the course.  Also, feel free to call the UT Tyler Advising Office on campus if you need any suggestions for what online classes are best for you.  Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a freshman advisor; they want to help you!

If you want to see if one of your core classes is available in an online format, remember to check the core curriculum first for UT Tyler entry students, then reference that list to your advisor to set up your schedule. Online classes are convenient, but they still merit the same responsibility as any other college level course.  Remember this when your advisor recommends that you take one during your next semester of classes!

Quizzes are coming...

It's reached that time in the semester that quizzes and tests have started rolling like a menacing  fog at twilight.

So everybody has put on their "study hats" and buckled down. 
 I, myself, have only a quiz and test next Tuesday.That is all. I believe that is likely minuscule compared to other's course loads.
                      ---if you're a reader, still reading this post, and you are attending UT Tyler, how many tests and or quizzes do YOU have next week?

  The hammer of stress may have finally hit the ground for some students.
   Worry not my minions. Just remember three things:

1. Study the material when you can. Don't study if you are not going to be able to actually comprehend the material.
2. Take breaks. Don't overload yourself with the information. This should NOT lead to procrastination. If it does, rethink your study plan.
3. Use mnemonic devices as a last resort when memorizing terms.

    That is all for today. Now I must retreat into my study cave and memorize psychology terms til I dream about them.

Writing, or ... THAT STUFF I HATE! Pt. 1

Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Pretentiousness – As once said by C. Montgomery Burns, these are the Three Demons you must slay if you wish to be good at business. Okay, so he was talking fictitiously about BUSSINESS, not Writing, and his Demons are not the ones in the clip … but it was a good excuse to bring in Burns. Anyway, the idea however of slaying metaphorical demons to succeed is not “new” ( thanks, Evangrius! ) so I have qualified some slayable-monsters that I think might get in the way of what is a genuine success at the art of writing … writing ANYTHING, really.