Friday (10/17): -1 Blog entry done day before due date (-1)
Saturday (10/18): +1 Studied for Biology test (+1)
Sunday (10/19): +1 Studied for Chemistry test, +2 Finished Chemistry HW (+3)
Monday (10/20): -1 Finished covering material for Chemistry test (-1)
Tuesday (10/21): -2 Studied for Psychology quiz (-2)
Wednesday (10/22): -2 Finished Biology pre-lab assignment, -1 Started Chemistry lab report, +1 Studied for Biology test, +1 Reviewed new Chemistry topics, +2 Completed Microarray assignment (+1)
Thursday (10/23): -2 Chemistry lab report, +1 Studied for biology (-1)
Totaled: -1+1+3-1-2+1-1: +0, Neutral!
Since my last blog entry, I had given myself positive reinforcement by buying my favorite soda candy. Also, I had set my punishments in stone. This week, I had demonstrated avoidance learning because I didn't want to punish myself with chores. Even though I won't get rewarded this week, at least I won't be punished. The existence of a punishment is able to deter my behavior so that I procrastinate my work less, if not fully prevent it.
Despite the fact that I still continued to show weak time management, I feel that I am slowly changing. I try to find time, even if it's just a mere 15 mins, to review a subject.This allows me to retain most of the information in a subject, so that if I waited till the last minute to finish all my reviewing, at least I won't need to worry too much because information can be easily refreshed by the savings method. I see this as an improvement because I feel less stress as I'm studying, even if it is last minute. I feel that the program might not be working because the rewards are not as appealing as the punishments are deterrent.
I'm slowly trudging forward, but old habits die hard. Does anyone else have any other studying/anti-procrastination tips that you use? If so please share!
I'm slowly trudging forward, but old habits die hard. Does anyone else have any other studying/anti-procrastination tips that you use? If so please share!
8 comments:
I love your 15-minute idea. Recently a colleague suggested I work in 15-minute increments and it's working wonders (stuff is actually getting done!!)
You might find some useful tips on my blog, since October is Anti-Procrastination Month (http://blog.cristinafavreau.com/category/anti-procrastination-month/).
Let me know if you found something particularly helpful.
I usually study with friends at like teahouses or starbucks. The reason I procrastinate is because homework is no fun. When you study with friends, it's not as boring. The friends I study with don't even go to mt. sac, but they are still somewhat helpful.
Hey Jade, very interesting system ahah. Your point system is so cute, it's like playing a game almost. It's always good to stay away from the negatives. Your right about the reward versus punishment proportion. Your punishments will deter any of us ahah....I'm sure no one really finds pure bliss in chores...other than feeling clean and neat. However, your rewards are probably not that appealing. Soda candy sounds good but I can live without it for long periods at a time. Hm....I'm rewarding myself with cash so you can try that. Even if it is small amounts, it still adds up. Other incentives would be shopping maybe? You can reward yourself a certain amount of money to based on the points you earn per week? Or if you want to buy something then you have to set a certain amount of points earned in order to get it?...hopefully that helps. keep it up!
ahaha..i think u should change ur rewards to be more appealing. for me, getting my coffee, tea, or desert time on my weekend is so important. i will have a complete weekend if i can get that, but if i cant than i will feel bad and it wont prepare me for the following monday. i need time for each week on the weekend just to think and plan for my following week. so yeah, i think that its better for u to change the reward to be more appealing and make the punishment outweigh the reward, so u are most likely not to fail because u really dont want to get punished.
i hope it helps you.
Hey Jade. When I start to procrastinate it’s usually because I have other things I want to do besides school work, like having fun. Lol. To correct this I sometimes just give in and have some fun really quick so that I won’t have to battle anymore urges. Also, I’ve noticed that sometimes the hardest part of an assignment is just getting yourself to start it. Once you get the ball rolling it’s not as hard to keep going. I know these have nothing to do with operant conditioning but they still work, at least for me. Hope this helps :)
Hey Jade, looks like you're making some progress! Although you don't have any rewards, at least there aren't any other punishments, either.
Btw, I love soda candy too! It disappears so fast when it's in my hands
I like the program you have going. I completely understand about the time management thing, I myself have been struggling with that this semester. Tips for procrastination...I have noticed sometimes when I study at home I tend to study less or not at all, because it is so comforting and my bed is right there, so i am able to relax. So doing hw and studying at school is more effective for me because I am surrounded by others who are studying, so I am also more motivated to do what I need to do to be successful. And for studying I have found that I retain information better when I am listening to music, usually classical, but if your not a fan of traditional classical, you can find the music your into and find the classical version. For instance they have string tributes for Underoath and Nirvana. Maybe this will work for you! I hope I helped:)
I'm really impressed!
The points are great- your own token economy.
I have a suggestion- how about rewarding yourself right away when you work on something before it is due. For example, if you work on it 3 days before it is due, give yourself 2 treats. If two days before, just 1 treat. If 1 day before, no treat. If the day it is due, 1 punishment. This might be more motivating than having to wait the whole week for your reward.
Charis
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