Study Skills : Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done: sub-module 2 of 6 of time management

This module explores strategies to overcome procrastination—putting off tasks that should be started right away—which is a common barrier to productivity. You’ll learn how procrastination can lead to last-minute stress and missed deadlines, and how tools like a prioritized task list can help. A task list combines academic and personal responsibilities into a clear plan, helping you stay organized and on track.

Procrastination

Avoiding Procrastination

Procrastination is something almost every student struggles with at some point. Whether it's putting off readings, delaying assignments, or avoiding studying for a test, procrastination can quickly lead to stress and falling behind. Understanding why you procrastinate is the first step toward changing those habits.

Watch the video below to learn more about common causes of procrastination, then try the activity to test yourself and see where you might be most at risk.

Test Yourself

Complete this activity to find out if you have a procrastination problem. Opens a new window

Procrastination Activity Accessible PDF Version - Opens in a new window

Managing Time Robbers

Time robbers are things that trigger procrastination. Everyone has a unique set of time robbers. The time robbers tool will help you identify and keep track of where you might be losing the most time on a daily basis.

Watch the video below to learn how to use the Managing Time Robbers tool to help you avoid getting sucked into the procrastination trap.

Possible Solutions to Common Time Robbers

My Body

Taking care of your physical needs is essential for staying productive. Managing basic routines like eating, sleeping, and movement helps keep your energy and focus steady throughout the day.

Schedule regular meals and healthy snacks to keep energy steady.
Establish a consistent sleep routine to improve rest and focus.
Take short movement breaks to reduce restlessness.

My Organization

Staying organized prevents wasted time and frustration. Having clear systems for your assignments, notes, and materials ensures you can find what you need quickly and understand your tasks fully.

Use folders or digital tools to keep assignments and notes organized.
Create a checklist or summary to clarify assignment requirements.
Prepare your materials in advance to avoid searching during study time.
Ask for clarification from instructors or classmates when unsure about assignments.

My Scope

Breaking down tasks and setting realistic goals helps avoid feeling overwhelmed. Managing the scope of your work allows you to focus on what’s achievable without getting stuck in perfectionism or trying to do too much at once.

Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps with clear deadlines.
Prioritize tasks to focus on what’s most important first.
Set realistic goals and accept that “good enough” is often better than perfect.
Use timers to limit how long you spend on each part to avoid overworking.

My Focus

Maintaining focus is key to effective study sessions. Minimizing distractions and using strategies to stay on task can boost your concentration and help you complete your work efficiently.

Turn off notifications and put devices on “Do Not Disturb” mode during study time.
Set specific socializing times outside of work sessions.
Use a planner or to-do list to stay on track and avoid task jumping.
Write down your next task before starting to prevent forgetting what to do.

Procrastination Tips

Just get started.Motivation builds the closer you get to completing a task. Mustering enough motivation to get things started can be the biggest challenge. Once you have started a task, you will find the task easier to work on.
Change the task to make it more enjoyable.Take a boring task and make a game of it. Some examples:
- Use flashcards to make studying more interesting.
- Challenge yourself to get 80% of practice questions correct.
- Reward yourself after every chapter of assigned reading you finish.
Learn to spot the tricks.Your brain uses tricks to get you to procrastinate, like downplaying the importance of a task or telling yourself that the professor didn’t provide clear instructions. Learn to recognize these tricks so that you aren’t fooled.
Give yourself a time limit.Put a firm time limit on how long you will give yourself to work on a task. Dragging unpleasant tasks out only promotes procrastination. A time limit encourages you to finish the task faster.
Disconnect from your tech.Social media and video games are a breeding ground for procrastination. Every video on YouTube is likely to appear to be a more interesting way to spend your time than the assignment you’re trying to finish. Limit yourself to using only the technology you need to complete your task.

Creating Task Lists

Why is the task list important?

Task lists are a simple but powerful tool for managing your time and staying organized. They help you keep track of everything you need to get done, from major assignments to small daily tasks, so nothing falls through the cracks. More importantly, task lists can help you prioritize. By breaking your workload into manageable pieces, task lists can reduce stress and boost your productivity.

Watch the video below to explore how using a task list effectively can support your academic success.

How to Create a Task List

Creating a task list is more than just writing down everything you need to do. Watch the video or read the instructions below to find out how to create a task list. You can also download the How to create a task list video transcript.

How to Prioritize Items on a Task List

Figure out what needs to go on your list. Check your semester plan, Brightspace, your agenda, college email, and calendars at home for this information. Be sure to include personal tasks on your list.
Estimate how long each task will take. Write down your list of tasks along with how long you think each task will take. If a task will take longer than two hours, break it down into smaller chunks.
Divide the tasks into three categories. Write A, B, or C beside each task. Label those that must be finished today as A items, those that should be finished today as B items, and those that could wait until tomorrow as C items. For school tasks, consider how much each item is worth and when it is due. After the tasks are labelled, divide them by category.
Prioritize each category. Look at each category (A, B, and C) and number the items according to the order that they need to be finished (1, 2, and 3). Each item will have a different letter and number combination, guiding the order in which all tasks should be completed (eg. - A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, etc.)
Re-write the list in order of priority. This could be done in an app, on a post-it, or in an agenda. Make sure that your list is within reach.

Task List Tips

Think about ALL your tasks.Your task list should include your academic tasks as well as anything you need to do in your personal life.
Think about urgency and importance.If a task is urgent (must be done soon), or important (e.g. worth a lot of points), it should be a higher priority than tasks that aren’t urgent or important.
Divide tasks by how soon they need to be done.Using the labels A, B, and C, split up tasks into things that need to be done today (A), should be done today (B), or could be done tomorrow (C).
Prioritize the ABCs.Number the tasks in each category based or urgency and importance.
Tackle your list by priority.Don’t get distracted by low-priority tasks. Use your list to guide you so you can work on the highest priority tasks.