Assignments, deadlines, submissions; these words can infuse fear in any student’s mind. Truth is, assignments can be a little daunting if not planned for in advance. As important as it is to write a flawless assignment, it is equally important to meet the deadlines. With many responsibilities to juggle with, it is crucial to maintain a balance between work and play. Below are some points to help you make sure that every assignment reaches the professor’s table in time!

1.Find Privacy

To effectively utilize the time you have set out for completing assignments, gather all your resources and find a quiet and private spot. It could be a quiet corner of your dormitory or the college library or any place where you are least likely to be distracted. Make sure the place is brightly lit and away from the hustle bustle of the world. It is important to be in a proper state of mind while completing assignments else you will be looking at your books and thinking of the party you are going to tonight.

To achieve that right state of mind, switch off your cell phone, laptop, ipod and the television. Make sure your friends and family understand the criticality of your work and give you the time and privacy you need to accomplish the task at hand. Stay away from distractions!

2.Be Organized.

Being organized is one of the key qualities of successful people. Keep your textbooks, notes and other sources of information neatly organized on your study table or in your cupboard so it is easy for you to find what you are looking for in no time. Also, a cluttered table with heaps of unidentifiable mess fills you with negative thoughts and lethargy.

Bind loose papers and label them according to their content. Highlight important words with a marker so the relevant information catches your eye when you browse through them. Keep all your resources at one place and don’t have them scattered on your table, in your locker, on the bed etc. This will save time in locating the book you need for the assignment.

3.Delve Deeper

Unlike school, an international degree teaches you only that which has a direct impact on and relevance to your job profile in the coming years. So don’t treat your assignments as homework. Don’t render it as boring and merely a liability to be done with. Rather than just trying to get it over with, try to understand the underlying concepts and their applicability in the real world.

Take it as an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the subject and get a strong hold of its complexities as it is only going to prove helpful in future. If you have some extra time in your hands, try to look up some related topics and broaden your arenas of knowledge.

4.Goodbye Procrastination

It is only human to procrastinate but you must attempt to avoid procrastination and be divine. We tend to get attracted to quicker rewards like parties and coffee dates instead of long term rewards like completing graduation with flying colours. To avoid this, stay focused on your goals and you shall get enough chances to celebrate later.

Don’t leave your assignments for the last minute. Dedicate some time each day so the last minute urgency and panic do not lead you into messing things up and appearing in the bad books of the professors. Again, this is why being organized is crucial. Divide your timetable effectively to give the required time to studies and recreation.

5.Pen It Down

Make it a habit to jot down important points during the lectures itself. More often than not, professors mention helpful tips and tricks and other pieces of information that are not mentioned in any books or on the internet; ones which they have learned through years of experience. These random words of wisdom can greatly help reduce the time it takes for you to complete an assignment.

Overlook the grammar and punctuation if you can’t match pace and just write the important words that you hear. Later, when you are at your assignment, you would be able to recall the lecture looking at the points you had jotted down.

6.Organize Your Thoughts

After the brainstorming session is over, which may not even be needed if you have noted all the important points during the lecture, begin to weave meaningful thoughts from words. Draw conclusions from all the facts. Grasp everything and then sort and filter according to your needs. Go through all of the raw information you have gathered and then draw a clear picture out of them. Make many drafts if needed. Build on ideas that are relevant to the matter at hand and strike out the ones that are not.

7.Take Help

It is perfectly alright to find yourself stuck at some point during the completion of your assignment. After all, not all that is expected from you is served to you on a platter. The professors too expect you to examine other resources and not just rely on lectures and textbooks. Finding yourself in need of some assistance must not, by any means, discourage you.

Don’t be afraid or hesitant to ask a friend, a teacher or the internet for some help with your assignments. Looking for help only means you are trying. Rather than just helplessly brooding over complex topics and bringing yourself down, approach someone who can help.

8.Come Back

After you have gathered all your resources and turned off your mobile, give your sincere efforts to the assignment. Take small breaks of five minutes every hour and work for only a few hours at a stretch. Prolonged immersion may lead to boredom and steal you of your creativity and interest. Once you are done, take a walk and come back to your assignment for the final touches. This helps you renew your vigour and review your assignment for the final amendments, if any.