Objective: Students will learn to begin with just a small part of a bigger task if they find themselves procrastinating or having a hard time getting started.

Model and Practice: a) Decide which part of the assignment is easiest or most interesting and start there. (In writing, you might start from the middle paragraph rather than the beginning. For a problem set, pick the one that is easiest, not necessarily the first one.) b) Consider giving yourself a reward for starting. (Ex. set the timer to work for 20 minutes and then you can have a snack or play a video game.) c) If you find yourself procrastinating for over a day, ask a friend or parent to help you get started. Talk with them about your assignment and pinpoint the most interesting or easiest place to start. Have them stay until you get started.

Teacher Notes: This strategy can work equally well for studying or taking a test. For studying, students should start review with the material they know best or like the most to get momentum going. While taking a test, coach students to start with a section in the middle of the test if it helps, and come back to an earlier section once in the flow.

OER Resource: Overcome Procrastination (Teachers Pay Teachers)

Decide which part of the assignment is easiest or the most interesting and start there.

Consider giving yourself a reward for starting. (Ex. Set the timer to work for 20 minutes and then get a snack or play a video game.)

If you are procrastinating for over a day, ask a friend or parent to help you get started. Ask them to help you decide where to start and sit with you until you start.

When studying for a test, start your review with the material you know best or like the most to get the momentum going.