how to handle tight assignment deadlines

Been there. Done that. Every student can say this when it comes to meeting assignment deadlines that just come up too fast.

Maybe you have procrastinated a bit too much; maybe you have spent too much time working that part-time job or partying; maybe you are just that dis-organized person who is not a master of calendaring. All of a sudden it hits you.

​You’ve got a deadline for an essay, a paper, a project – whatever – and you are now facing the prospect of either getting it done or taking that poor/failing score. 

Not a pleasant place to be, right?

Well, here are a few things you can try to handle those tight deadlines:

Stop the Stress and Anxiety

The more you think about how stressed you are, the less productive you will be. Find those things that will de-stress you – short things – like deep breathing, 5 minutes of meditation or physical exercise.

This may take some experimentation, but once you have found the right recipe, you can de-stress pretty quickly. Stress is a major cause of the inability to focus, and what you need right now is to focus.

Go into Hibernation

This is no time for interruptions. Whether you lie in a dormitory or an apartment, lock your door, put a sign on that door saying “Do not disturb,” and notify all of your friends that you are not available until further notice. and turn off your phone.

If you have roommates, then you will have to find some other place to go – perhaps the library. Find the right environment for you.

Meet with Instructor and Pray for Mercy

This is certainly an option, as long as you do not use it more than once with an instructor.
Meet with him/her, explain that you have too much on your plate right now, and ask for an extension.

Melanie Sovann, an educational writer for Studicus, provides this piece of advice: “Students who are facing deadlines they cannot meet have the option of coming clean and asking for an extension. You might be surprised how flexible some instructors will be. They know students are busy people. And if you have had good attendance and a reasonable record of meeting other deadlines, they are prone to give an extension.”

If you are lucky and get that extension, this does not relieve you to the point that you can go out for beer and pizza tonight. It means that you will dig in and focus until the assignment is finished.

 Put a Social Media Blocker on Your Devices

It's too damn tempting. You are online researching your essay or paper, and that urge to check Facebook or Instagram is just too strong. And once there, you have to scroll through, make comments, look at photos and videos, share, etc.
​
There are some free apps that will let you block access for a period of time. If you know that you can’t resist the temptation, then get that blocker in place.

Change Hours at Work

That part-time job you have is a great source of extra income. But it isn’t your career job. And it probably isn’t even related to your major field of study.

If you have a flexible, sympathetic boss, then see about changing your work hours so that you can get the assignment finished. Barring that, if you have a co-worker who is willing to change up hours with you, go for it.

Food – It’s a Necessity

While most would not recommend this as a steady diet, understand that carbs and sugars will give you bursts of energy, along with those energy drinks. Stock up on these things before you dig into the work before you.
But don’t forget the protein. Protein gives you more long-term energy. So, while you are stocking up on candy bars, soda pop, and those energy drinks, add some easy sources of protein – lots of nuts, beef jerky, granola, and peanut butter are quick fixes.
 
You may have other strategies for when you face tight deadlines, but these eight might give you some tips you may not have considered before. No one likes being put in the vice of deadlines they may not be able to meet. Do yourself a favor and consider these options.

Author

Kristin Savage is interested in writing and planning to publish her own book in the nearest future. Also, she has been a reviewer at Pick Writers for a few years and is known for her thorough approach to accurately assess newcomer translation services. You can find her on Facebook.