Beating Procrastination
This is the 15-letter word for doing something later, even though you should start now
What is procrastination?
This tool helps you see what assignments and events are coming up.
What is a planner or calendar?
Which takes longer: brushing teeth or watching a 30-minute TV show?
TV show
If something is due tomorrow, is it high or low priority?
👉 High priority
You planned to start your homework at 5:00 but didn’t start until 6:00. What’s the best next move?
Adjust plan and begin — don’t give up
Name one strategy that helps you start a task when you don’t feel like it.
Examples: using a timer, break it into small steps
Name 2 reasons why it is helpful to check your planner at the end of the school day?
To prepare for homework and avoid forgetting assignments
Why do people often underestimate how long homework will take?
They forget distractions / only think of easiest part
You get home at 4:30 PM. You have homework due tomorrow that will take about 45 minutes. Your laptop is open, and you have messages and notifications waiting. What is a smart first move?
Set a 30-minute timer, start your homework immediately, and check messages after completing a chunk of work.
You forgot to write down homework. What’s one responsible step you can take?
Email a teacher asking when it is due
If your brain says, “This will take forever,” what is one thing you can say back to it?
Example:
What is: “I’ll just do the first small part.”
If you have a project due in one week, what should you NOT do?
Wait until the night before
If you think something will take 10 minutes, what’s a smart planning trick?
Add extra buffer time
If two things are due the same day, how do you decide which to do first?
Harder one first / longer one first / earliest class first
If you can justify your reasoning, you will get the points!
Your friend wants to play video games, but you have a project due tomorrow. What do you say?
I really want to play, but I have a project due tomorrow. Can we play after I’m done or tomorrow instead?
Time management isn’t about being perfect. It’s about ______.
making a plan
adjusting when needed
using time wisely
being responsible
Name two steps you would take to plan a 5-day project.
Break into parts, set deadlines, gather materials, schedule work time
How long do you think it will take to clean up/ get points after Lunch and Learn?
What is 5 minutes?
It’s 7:30 PM and you’re tired.
This: Start the hardest homework first and get it over with.
OR
That: Do the easiest thing first so you feel successful quickly.
When might each choice make sense?
Which choice depends on your energy level?
You keep running out of time in the morning. Name two changes you could make the night before.
Prepare your things tonight: pack your backpack, lay out clothes, and organize supplies.
Set an earlier bedtime or alarm: so you wake up with enough time to get ready without rushing.
You have a major project due in 3 days. It counts for 40% of your grade. You also have soccer practice tomorrow, a family dinner the next night, and a math quiz the same week. What are 3 time management strategies you can use to complete this project?
What is: Break the project into 4 smaller tasks (research, outline, draft, revise). Schedule specific time blocks over the next three days. Start tonight with research, even if you only work for 25 minutes.
Daily Double 🎉
You have 3 tests this week. How would you spread out studying?
Step 1: Look at the schedule
Check which test is first, second, and third.
Rank them by difficulty (hardest gets more time).
Step 2: Make a simple study plan
Example (Tests on Wed, Thu, Fri):
Monday
30 min: Study hardest subject
20 min: Review second subject
Tuesday
30 min: Study hardest subject again
20 min: Study third subject
10 min: Quick review of second subject
Wednesday (after first test)
30 min: Focus on Thursday’s test
20 min: Light review for Friday
Thursday (after second test)
30–40 min: Final review for Friday
Name 3 ways using a timer helps improve time awareness?
Helps you see how long tasks actually take, instead of guessing.
Makes time feel more concrete and visible, not abstract.
Encourages you to work with urgency and focus while the timer is running.
Name 3 reasons why doing the hardest task first is sometimes helpful?
You have the most energy and focus at the beginning.
It reduces stress because the hardest part is already done.
Everything after feels easier and more manageable.
You get home at 4:00 PM.
What should you do first — and how will you structure your time between 4:00 and 5:40 to make sure everything gets done without feeling rushed?
Eat a quick 10–15 minute snack right away (4:00–4:15).
Start homework by 4:15 and set a 30-minute timer.
Take a short 5-minute reset break if needed, then finish the remaining work.
Keep phone on Do Not Disturb until homework is done.
Aim to finish by 5:05–5:15 to leave buffer time.
Use extra time to pack up and relax before leaving at 5:40.