My assignment is due tomorrow and I haven't even started it yet!

Uh oh… assignment due tomorrow, help!? First things first: breathe. 😅

Procrastination happens to everyone, seriously. School is hectic, you’ve got a million things on your plate, and sometimes life just gets in the way. The good news? You can totally smash this out tonight–and even do it well. You’ve got this!

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to tackle your last-minute assignment like a pro. 

These tips are backed by actual learning science (think chunking, active recall, and smart planning), so it’s not just random advice!

Step 1: Get your head in the game. 🧠

Before you dive in, set your mindset right.

• Recognise procrastination is usual, don’t beat yourself up.
• Remind yourself: you can do this tonight.
• Quick motivation tip: the 5-second rule — act immediately on the starting instinct to overcome procrastination.

Action step: Take a deep breath and commit to starting within 5 seconds by following the next steps in order. You’re in the zone now!  ✅ 

Step 2: Set up your workspace. 🖥️

Now let’s get practical. Your brain can’t focus with distractions.

• Clear your work area and make sure the lighting is good.
• Keep water nearby and maybe some snacks.
• Put your phone out of reach and mute notifications! 
• Arrange all your materials (books, notes, digital folders) so you don’t waste time hunting later.

Action step: Set a quick timer (so you don’t get distracted) and set up your workspace.  ✅ 

Step 3: Figure out what you’re dealing with. 📋

With your brain and workspace ready, it’s time to tackle the assignment itself.

• Read instructions carefully: highlight keywords, questions, word count, formatting and any other special requirements. 
• ‍Break it down: list everything you need to do: research, notes, writing/ equations/drawings, references, visuals… all of it.

Think of it like turning a mountain into a bunch of small hills. Focus on one hill at a time, ignore the others and tackle them sequentially. This keeps overwhelm in check and makes the work feel achievable.

Action step: Make a checklist of all mini-tasks. This becomes your roadmap for the night.  ✅ 

Step 4: Prioritise like a boss. 📌

Here’s where it gets tactical:

Easy wins/warm-ups:

• Gather your materials, open folders, or organise your study space. Small wins get you moving. 

Start with tasks that feed other tasks: 

• Read, recap, and research first. Don’t stare at a blank page expecting ideas to appear. 
• Consume the info, scribble notes, dump them into a Google Doc — keep it messy if you have to, just move. Your brain will thank you for giving it fresh ideas to chew on. 

Complicated or long tasks:

• Tackle these once your brain has digested the information. 
• A quick break beforehand helps… hot chocolate, stretch, loo, and so on, but avoid scroll breaks!

Timeblocking tip: 

• Assign realistic chunks of time for each task. Example: 30 mins research, 1 hour writing, 15 mins references. It keeps you on track when time is limited.

Action step: Number your checklist in order of priority and start with the top item or a quick and easy win.  ✅ 

Step 5: Research and reference like a pro 🔍

Before you dive into writing, building, or creating, set yourself up with one place to keep it all together. Whether you’re tackling an essay, a maths report, a science experiment, or an art project, having a single “catch-all” reference doc means less chaos and more focus.

• Try the Cornell note-taking method (you can read about it here or find a quick explainer on YouTube). It’s a simple way to organise what you’re learning and make connections fast.
• If you have digital readings, use CMD+F to open a search bar, then enter keywords. This can be a lifesaver!
• Consider putting all your key info, ideas, and inspo into one place and jotting down quick notes about how each piece fits your plan (e.g. “use this stat in intro” or “add this formula to Q3”).
• Be sure to note down all your references as you go — that way you don’t have to panic about citations or go hunting through folders of screenshots at 1 a.m. 😅

Action step: Build your one-stop reference doc — whether it’s a Word file, spreadsheet, or mind map — and fill it out as you go. Keep track of ideas and references so nothing gets lost.  ✅ 

Step 6: Tackle the work in chunks. ✏️

No matter the subject — English, Maths, Science, Art — trying to do it all at once is a recipe for stress.

Break it down by task, not the whole assignment:

• English: one paragraph or section (honing in on one single idea).
• Science/Maths: one problem, calculation, or experiment step.
• Art: one sketch, element, or part of your project.

Tip! Purposefully switch between “creator mode” and “editor mode”: get ideas, calculations, or sketches down first, then go back to refine, polish, or check your work. 

You can also set a timer: 25–30 minutes per chunk, then take a 5-minute brain break. This keeps your focus sharp and prevents burnout.

Action step: Focus on one small piece at a time and complete it before moving on.  ✅ 

Step 7: Quick review tomorrow morning. 👀

After finishing:

• Sleep if possible, even a few hours makes a huge difference. 😴
• Review with fresh eyes: check for clarity, typos, and whether your output matches your plan.

Recap checklist

1. Mindset & 5-second rule 
2. Set up workspace 
3. Understand & chunk assignment 
4. Prioritise & timeblock 
5. Research efficiently 
6. Write in chunks 
7. Quick review tomorrow 

And for the future, use technology to your advantage — Atomi is free to try, is full of study tips and templates, and will help you streamline your study 📆

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