In many cases, mastering specific skills or methodology aren’t the biggest hurdle to succeeding with math: procrastination is. Time management in general is something with which we see students struggle, especially at the start of a new school year, and even more so one heavily impacted by the COVID pandemic.

While each student’s case is unique, what we’ve found to work best is a multi-pronged approach that takes the realities of students’ developing minds into account without sacrificing the need for focused studying.

Addressing time management and specifically, procrastination is important for a few reasons, as that kind of patterned inattention can be a drain not only on academic performance but mental health overall. The stress of needing to “catch up” on a sidelined assignment or before a big test is incredibly taxing, and can easily expand from acute stress into math-specific anxiety, which can take weeks if not months to alleviate for affected students.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a few recommendations that can help you focus better on your education and be as proactive as you can be on your way to boosting your math results this school year.

Make A Plan

It’s hard to maintain focus and not get distracted if you don’t have a plan. Becoming more organized is the first step toward reducing procrastination, so create a step-by-step plan for completing your assignments.

Here at OMC, tutors create plans for their students based on their unique learning needs and abilities, so it’s easier for them to access the resources they need and receive support in realizing their plans. But if you’re studying on your own, you can invest in a planner to ensure your notes and ideas are all in one place and easily accessible whenever you need them.

Once you have an organized plan, your framework will be more structured and easier for you to follow. You will know exactly what you have to do and what next steps you must take in order to get your work done.

Get Rid Of Distractions

Your plan to complete your assignments will only work if you are 100% dedicated to it. We’ve noticed that students are most efficient when they limit the distractions around them and create an environment or learning space that helps them maintain focus.

So, ensure that you spend your study and homework time doing exactly that—and not something else like checking your social media every 5 minutes. Limit the distractions around you to maximize your productivity: retreat to a quiet place set your phone on silent mode, and turn off any devices that might tempt you.

This way, you will have the mental clarity you need to focus on being productive and time-efficient.

Set Priorities

Juggling multiple assignments can be challenging and switching between them all the time might be counterproductive for most students. To ensure you make the most out of your time and meet your assignment deadlines, set priorities.

What is more urgent? And what are the first and next steps you need to take in order to complete your homework or project? Prioritize based on urgency and importance so you maintain a structured framework. Otherwise, you risk your plan crumbling into disorganization.