Self-imposed deadlines are life-savers if you ask me. Why? Because I was always the type of student who needed to be perpetually reminded that there was a due date for things – or else I would get distracted by everything from petting my cat to writing poetry.
I would always set deadlines for myself whenever I had to do something, whether it be a school assignment or a simple daily task. My go-to method was putting up brightly colored reminders around my room of the things I needed to do and when they were due.
My roommate used to say I was like a human version of those little sticker calendars. I used to have post-it notes for everything – assignment submissions, exam prep, buying groceries, cleaning my room, etc.
Setting deadlines definitely helped me stay organized and on top of schoolwork – but it also taught me discipline, in a way. Whenever I had a college project or a normal task due, I was forced to stay focused and complete it before the deadline.
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It also gave me a sense of accomplishment when I was able to complete something by the deadline. It was a great way to motivate myself and stay productive!
It’s Time to Get Moving: The Benefits of setting Deadlines for College Students
Setting deadlines is a great way to help you stay on track as a college student. It helps create structure in your daily routine and keeps you organized. But what are some of the other benefits of setting deadlines?
Well, for one thing, setting deadlines can give you more motivation to actually complete your work. Deadlines mean that you need to get the project done by a certain date, so it gives you that extra push to actually put in the work and get things done.
Deadlines also help keep procrastination at bay. When deadlines are looming, it’s less tempting to put off work for another day. Instead, you might be more likely to attack your assignments head-on in order to get them done on time
Plus, deadlines also help you become more efficient when it comes to completing tasks. When there’s a timeline involved, you’re more likely to plan out your days in order to make sure that everything gets done when it needs to be.
Related: 56 Ways to be a Productive College Student: A Glimpse Into an Ultra-Productive Life
Last but not least, deadlines also help you learn how to manage your time better. When you set a deadline for yourself, you learn how to prioritize and break down tasks into smaller chunks in order to complete them more quickly and efficiently.
The Time is Now: How to set effective deadlines for yourself
Setting effective deadlines is a key part of staying on top of your college workload. But how do you go about setting the most realistic and achievable deadlines for yourself?
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your self-imposed deadlines:
1. Be realistic: Avoid setting deadlines that are too months or years away–you’re much more likely to stay motivated if the timeline is shorter. At the same time, don’t set deadlines that are too close either, or you’ll just be stressing yourself out and not actually achieving anything.
2. Break it down: If you have a big assignment or project, break it down into smaller tasks and set individual deadlines for each task. This will help you to stay on track and ensure that you finish the project on time.
3. Keep it simple: Set deadlines that are clear and easy to remember. If you have too many deadlines, it can be overwhelming and difficult to stay organized.
4. Reward yourself: To motivate yourself, set a reward for meeting deadlines, like going out with friends or having a piece of chocolate when you finish an assignment or study for an exam.
Related: How to stay Organized in College: 9 Tips to Help You Conquer the College Chaos
Beat the Clock: How to meet deadlines in college and stay on track
I’m sure all of us have found ourselves in the same boat—staring at a pile of assignments that are due soon and feeling totally overwhelmed.
You’re not alone!
With each passing day, the looming deadlines can seem harder and harder to manage. But don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to make sure you stay on track and meet your deadlines.
Related: Time Management Tips for College Students: How to Fit Everything into 24 Hours
1. Plan ahead and Give yourself plenty of time to complete each assignment.
That means starting early and breaking down the project into smaller chunks so that you don’t end up cramming at the last minute. And also setting aside dedicated time each day and sticking to your schedule.
For bigger projects, break them down into manageable chunks and give yourself small goals along the way. It’s like a bunch of mini milestones you can check off, which makes you feel more motivated to keep going.
2. Prioritize and Stay Organized.
Make a list of all the tasks you need to complete, then figure out which ones need to be done first and plan accordingly.
Using a calendar or planner can help you stay on top of tasks, as well as keep track of upcoming deadlines.
Related: Get Ahead of the Game: 6 Best Free Online Planner Apps
3. Take breaks throughout the day.
Taking a break can be beneficial for your productivity, and can help you stay focused and energized over the long haul.
Think of it as a reward for completing your tasks. Whether it’s grabbing coffee with a friend, taking a quick walk outside, or just listening to some music, taking a break can make all the difference.
15 Tips for dealing with stress caused by deadlines
1. Take a break from your work and do something totally unrelated to studying! Like petting your cat or watching an episode of your favorite show.
2. Make sure you take frequent breaks—a few minutes here and there can do wonders for relieving stress!
3. Put on a pump-up playlist to get your motivation back on track.
4. Take deep breaths when you feel stressed, it helps to relax your body and mind.
5. Have a pep talk with yourself—you know you can do this!
Related: Take a Deep Breath: Here’s How To Overcome College Stress and Anxiety
6. Set realistic goals that are achievable and don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much too fast.
7. Reward yourself with a snack or a coffee break when you accomplish something.
8. Create your own countdown to the deadline and make sure to check it off as you go along.
9. Make a list of things that need to get done and start checking them off one by one.
10. Ask someone to help you break down the task into smaller, more manageable chunks.
11. Talk to a friend or family member about it—they may be able to give you valuable advice.
12. Take a walk or go for a run to help clear your mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
13. Have a plan B ready just in case something unexpected comes up and throws you off track.
14. Ask your professor or TA for help if you’re really stuck!
15. Remember that everyone has deadlines to meet and it’s OK if things don’t go as planned. Just stay focused and keep going! You can do it!
It’s natural to miss the mark every now and then – so don’t stress over it.
Your mental and physical health should be your number one priority and sometimes, cutting yourself some slack is the best thing you can do!
Take a few moments to reflect on what went wrong and use it as a learning experience for the future. You’ve got this! So take a deep breath and enjoy the journey — you’ll get there eventually, deadline or not!
“Deadlines are like dragons: they’ll circle around and breathe fire until you slay them with your work!” 😉 (Stay tuned for more Corny quotes 😝!)
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