Dynamic Learning: Procrastination

The latest in our Dynamic Learning series of films aimed at helping students improve how they study looks at something that most of us experience at one time or another: procrastination.

Or as it’s technically known, “Putting stuff off ‘til tomorrow. Or maybe the day after. Sometime, anyway. No, definitely. OMG is it really due in today?”.

Unlike a lot of the study skills stuff that’s out there, the Dynamic Learning series is specifically designed to help students take control of their learning. It’s not just a case of identifying a problem and telling you what you need to do to overcome it.

Rather, the aim is to show you how to overcome a problem – from how to take effective notes, through improving your ability to recall information to, in this particular instance, how to stop putting things off and getting them done.

The first film, Avoidance and Denial, helps students understand what psychologists call avoidance strategies – the techniques we use and stories we tell to convince ourselves that we don’t really have a problem.

And once we recognise we have a problem, the next step is to resolve it – and instead of simply telling you what you should be doing (set yourself goals, work on self-discipline, use time management …) Prevention Strategies suggests three possible techniques that show you how to overcome the problem of procrastination.

The final film, Facing the Fear, tackles one of the major underlying causes of procrastination: fear.

Of failure. Of criticism. Of not reaching the high standards we’ve set for ourselves.

Using the inspirational story of the mountaineer Joe Simpson – badly injured and left for dead while climbing in the Peruvian Andes – the film shows how you can apply the strategies Simpson used to combat his fear to complete your most intimidating projects.