The years you spend in college or at university can easily become some of the best memories you’ll ever have. However, this doesn’t mean that this period of your life doesn’t bring some challenges along.

If you often feel torn between assignments, extracurricular activities, and preparing for your exams, you’re not the only one. Learning how to deal with deadlines is one of the most important skills to acquire during your studies: Failing to do so can even affect your mental health during the exams.

Here are a few effective steps that will help you stay focused and ready to meet any deadline.

What to do when you’re struggling with deadlines?

The most common reason why students often find deadlines challenging is simple, yet decisive: They often procrastinate until the last moment, leaving themselves too little time to accomplish what they need to.

Here is what you can do to beat procrastination and the burnout that often comes as a result of trying to do too much in a too narrow time frame.

• Create a clear overview of what needs to be done. Only then will you be able to effectively plan any following steps.

• Organize tasks by priority and difficulty. Write a list of all assignments and focus on doing the ones that are crucial or quick to do first, then move on to the remaining ones.

• Delegate the tasks you can’t handle on your own. No matter how hard you try to make it alone, you will still need help sometimes. Luckily, you can always find assistance online: Order an essay from essay writing service UK or use the perks of virtual assistant apps created with students in mind.

• Motivate yourself to keep up by minimizing distractions. When you have a lot to do, clear your schedule, tidy your working space, and turn off the notifications on your smartphone. 

• Break a task down and work on it step by step. Breaking complex tasks into chunks you can handle is one of the crucial steps when you’re working on a deadline, in school and in life alike.

• Set milestones and take breaks to avoid burnout. You can’t tackle everything at once or do more than you are capable at a given time. If you try to work for long periods without taking the time to eat and get some fresh air, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice.
• Work with another student, friend, or family member. They can help you revise what you’ve already accomplished and keep you on the right track.
  
  

Looking over your calendar and realizing how many important deadlines you need to meet can be really nerve-racking. How to stay on top of the situation and handle it all without falling into pieces?

Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to stay in control. Follow the tips revealed above and you’re sure to become one of the most productive students on the campus. Share these tips with someone who’d find them useful, too!

Jane Evans is a blogger from York and a regular contributor at a renowned best essay writing service online. In her free time, Jane enjoys travelling and getting to know new people and cultures. She loves to talk about literature, modern art, and new technologies. To get to know her, find Jane on Facebook and Twitter.