You’ve got to read 100 pages for English, complete a study packet for pre-calculus, create a PowerPoint for history, write an paper on a disease for biology, and an hour of drawing for art, all due Friday. It’s Monday. Now, do you start working on all this or turn on the TV? You got all week and you favorite show is new. Eh, Tuesday looks like a good day to start.

Procrastination happens to everyone, a lot. Procrastination, putting of important work for less important yet easier or more enjoyable activities, is common among students at all levels. Everyone does it to some degree. While everyone has done it at some point, some have a harder time with it than others. For students, the world, especially the digital one, is filled with other things to do that look like they’re more fun than that pre-calculus homework sitting in your bag.

With mid-terms here already, here are some helpful tips in dealing with procrastination and salvaging your grades before the end of the trimester.

First, recognize it. You need to be aware that you have a problem before you can deal with it. Next, identify the causes of it. What’s stopping you from reading “Romeo and Juliet”? Your phone? The TV? The people around you?

Second, identify the cause of your procrastination and then get it away from you. If to need to, move to a room without a TV, turn off your phone or download at study/homework app to help you, and get away from your non-studying friends. If you have trouble focusing or get distracted easily, go to an environment free of these distractions. That show will be on later and your friends can wait. You got biology homework glaring at you.

Next, break up what needs to be done it to smaller steps or parts so it doesn’t seem overwhelming. One reason for procrastination is the fact that the assignment may look daunting and difficult because of its length. So break it up into smaller sections, giving each section its own deadline so all are done by the time the assignment needs to be done and it won’t look anywhere near as bad.

Now, prioritize these tasks by importance and length it takes to complete. Do the more important ones first, then do down the listen of importance. Seeing the deadlines and the importance, yet not feeling overwhelmed by the workload, will help you stay focused and away from looking for reasons to get up. A schedule with tasks label by importance can help you know what needs to be done, when, and why. There are grades on the line.

Procrastination can become a major problem for anyone. If you are really struggling, get help. Ask a teacher or your guidance counselor for help or advice. Procrastination can lead to lower grades and a heck of a lot of stress later. Save yourself the anguish and a less than stellar gradebook and get to work and try to make these next six weeks better than the last.