We’ve all been there. One minute, you’re casually scrolling TikTok, and the next, it’s 2 AM, your assignment is due in six hours, and panic has officially set in. If this sounds familiar, it might be time for a new approach. Here’s how to stop the cycle of last-minute chaos and actually get stuff done.
Step 1: Make a Plan (That You’ll Actually Stick To)
Saying “I’ll start tomorrow” is how you end up stress-eating snacks at 3 AM while trying to decipher lecture slides. Set a small, manageable goal and just start—future you will be grateful.
Step 2: Use the 10-Minute Rule
Commit to working for just 10 minutes. If you still hate it after that, take a short break. But chances are, once you start, you’ll keep going (or at least feel slightly less guilty about procrastinating later).
Step 3: Remove Distractions
Social media is a trap. One quick scroll can turn into an accidental deep dive into Emily’s best friends 2014 holiday photos. Switch your phone to airplane mode, close those 20 unnecessary tabs, and focus.
Step 4: Reward Yourself
Studied for an hour? Survived a tutorial? Finished an essay without crying? You deserve a break. Plan something fun, like hitting up an event with mates—GapMash makes it easy to find the best society events on campus or make your own plans with friends.
Procrastination might be an art, but productivity is a skill. Master both, and you’ll have the best of both worlds. Now go smash that to-do list (or at least start it).