Skip to Content
Skip to Top Navigation
Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Secondary Navigation
Skip to Footer Links
Top Navigation
myCuesta
Search Cuesta
Search
Canvas
Find Classes
Apply
Library
Calendars
Directories
Maps
COVID-19 Info
Need Help?
Main Navigation
Toggle navigation
Query
About
College Departments
Academic Senate
Benefits/Insurance
Employment at Cuesta
Facilities Services
Fiscal Services
Human Resources
Information Technology
Institutional Research
Mailroom
Marketing
Payroll
Public Safety/Parking
Purchasing
Reprographics
Shipping & Receiving
About Cuesta
Accreditation
Budget Information
Campus Life
College Plans
College Profile/FAQs
Guided Pathways
Foundation
History
Housing
Newsroom
Información en Español
Relationship to Cal Poly
Student Equity Initiatives
Visit Cuesta
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Board Agenda
Board Policy
President's Office
Mission Statement
Vice President of Instruction
Vice President Administrative Services
Vice President Student Success and Support Programs
Measure L
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
United Central Coast
Locations
San Luis Obispo Map and Tour
North County Campus Map and Tour
South County Center Map
Directions
Parking Info
Information
Catalog
College Facts
History
Degrees & Certificates - A to Z
Land Acknowledgement
North County Campus
South County Center
Security Policy
Academics
Areas of Study
Business, Agriculture, Hospitality, and Legal
Creative Arts, Humanities, and Communication
Child Development, Education, and Information
ESL and Adult Education
Health and Wellness
Skilled Trades and Technology
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Social and Behavioral Sciences and Human Services
Academic Resources
All Degrees & Certificates
Academic Divisions
Catalog
Class Schedule
Online Education
Find Classes
Final Exams
Find Your Path
Vice President of Instruction
Specialized
Career Training Online
College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP)
Community Programs
Institute for Professional Development
United Central Coast
University Partners
Work Experience
Admissions & Aid
What Type of Student Are You?
New Student
Transfer Student
Returning Student
Current High School Student
International Student
Continuing Education
AB540/Undocumented Student
For New Students
Connect at Cuesta
Cougar Welcome Days
Cuesta Promise
Outreach
Fast Track Registration
Student Services Quick Links
Admissions & Registration
Apply to Cuesta
Registration Information
Important Dates
CalWORKs
Cuesta College Corps
Counseling
All Degrees & Certificates
Disability Support Programs & Services
EOPS/CARE
Información en Español
NextUp/Foster Youth
Placement Options
Enrollment Fees
FAFSA
Financial Aid
Orientation
Scholarships
Transfer Center
Veteran Services
Current Students
Student Success and Support Programs
Admissions, Student Records & Registration
Academic Counseling
Academic Support and Tutoring
Affinity Center
Basic Needs Center and Food Pantry
C6 LSAMP
CalWORKs
Career and Transfer Center
Cuesta Connect
Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS)
Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS/CARE)
Financial Aid
International Student Program
Library and Learning Resource Center
MESA
Monarch Dream Center
Outreach Services
Rising Scholars
Student Conduct and Support Resolution
Student Health Services
Student Life and Leadership
Student Technology Support
Veterans Resource Center
Office of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Success and Support Programs
Campus Life
Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery
Athletics
Harold J. Miossi Cultural & Performing Arts Center (CPAC)
Performing Arts
Student Life
Student Government
The Cuestonian
Helpful Resources
Campus Safety/Clery Stats
Cafeteria
Career Connections
Cashier
Children's Center
Computer Labs
Get Credit for Work
Student Health Center
LGBTQIAP+
Housing
Library
myCuesta Pathway
Parking info
Student Success Centers
Student ID
Quick Links
Academic Calendar
All Degrees & Certificates
Bookstore
Catalog
Commencement
Final Exams
Find Classes
Order Transcripts
Community
Administration
Board Agenda
Board Policy
Business Resources
Business Partnerships
Sustainability Center
Cuesta College Foundation
Donate Now
Alumni
Board of Directors
Ways to Give
Community Resources
Children’s Center
Community Programs
College for Kids
Emeritus
Get Involved
Writer’s Conference
Volunteer
Workforce Preparation
Continuing Education
Institute for Professional Development
Online Career Training
Arts & Culture
Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center (CPAC)
Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery
Cuesta Athletics
About Cuesta Athletics
Employment
Jobs at Cuesta
Hire a Student/Career Connections
Human Resources
Helpful Links
Calendars
All Degrees & Certificates
Events Rental
Measure L Information
Newsroom
Parking Info
Transcripts
University Partners
MyCuesta
Canvas
Find Classes
Apply
Library
Calendars
Directories
Maps
COVID-19 Info
Need Help?
Board Agenda
Secondary Navigation
Toggle navigation
Orientation
Cougar Welcome Days
Online Orientation
Exemptions from Orientation
Online Orientation Guest Login
my
Cuesta Orientations
Out of District Athlete Orientation
Student Success Tips
Welcome Booklet
Cuesta College Home
Current Students
Student Success and Support Programs
Orientation
Student Success Tips
Common Mistakes Students Make
Not attending class
Not taking responsibility for themselves
Procrastinating
Not asking questions when something is unclear
Not spending enough time studying (for every 1 hr in class, should study 2-3 hours outside of class)
Not getting help soon enough
Not taking notes
Not answering questions fully on homework and tests
Not completing assignments and being up-to-date on material
Being passive
Best Study Practices
Read assigned texts/handouts
Don’t procrastinate
Pay attention to the organization of the text
Highlight key points/terms in text as you read
Review often!
Study with a study group
Get help before it’s too late
Do homework assignments
Make an outline or take notes of your reading
Set aside a quiet place to study with few distractions
Best Things to Do in Class to Succeed
Ask questions and participate
Take notes that you can understand
Attend class
Pay attention (turn off cell phone)
Come prepared
Sit where you can see and hear the instructor
Tell instructor if you are having trouble with the way he/she is teaching
Get to know the instructor (go to office hours)
Read applicable text before class so you know what to expect
Eat well and get enough sleep
Borrowed from: TRIO Student Support Services, Northwest College , WY
Why do Student Procrastinate?
Poor Time Management.
Procrastination means not managing time wisely. You may be uncertain of your priorities, goals and objectives. You may also be overwhelmed with the task. As a result, you keep putting off your academic assignments for a later date, or spending a great deal of time with your friends and social activities, or worrying about your upcoming examination, class project and papers rather than completing them.
Difficulty Concentrating.
When you sit at your desk you find yourself daydreaming, staring into space, looking at pictures of your boyfriend/girlfriend, etc., instead of doing the task. Your environment is distracting and noisy. You keep running back and forth for equipment such as pencils, erasers, dictionary, etc. Your desk is cluttered and unorganized and sometimes you sit/lay on your bed to study or do your assignments. You probably notice that all of the examples that you have just read promote time wasting and frustration.
Fear and Anxiety.
You may be overwhelmed with the task and afraid of getting a failing grade. As a result, you spend a great deal of time worrying about your upcoming exams, papers and projects, rather than completing them.
Negative Beliefs
such as; "I cannot succeed in anything" and "I lack the necessary skills to perform the task" may allow you to stop yourself from getting work done.
Personal problems.
For example, financial difficulties, problems with your boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.
Finding the Task Boring
.
Unrealistic Expectations and Perfectionism.
You may believe that you MUST read everything ever written on a subject before you can begin to write your paper. You may think that you haven't done the best you possibly could do, so it's not good enough to hand in.
Fear of Failure.
You may think that if you don't get an 'A', you are failure. Or that if you fail an exam, you, as a person, are a failure, rather than that you are a perfectly ok person who has failed an exam.
How to Overcome Procrastination
Recognize self-defeating problems such as; fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfectionism.
Identify your own goals, strengths and weaknesses, values and priorities.
Compare your actions with the values you feel you have. Are your values consistent with your actions?
Discipline yourself to use time wisely: Set priorities.
Study in small blocks instead of long time periods. For example, you will accomplish more if you study/work in 60 minute blocks and take frequent 10 minute breaks in between, than if you study/work for 2-3 hours straight, with no breaks. Reward yourself after you complete a task.
Motivate yourself to study: Dwell on success, not on failure. Try to study in small groups. Break large assignments into small tasks. Keep a reminder schedule and checklist.
Set realistic goals.
Modify your environment: Eliminate or minimize noise/ distraction. Ensure adequate lighting. Have necessary equipment at hand. Don't waste time going back and forth to get things. Don't get too comfortable when studying. A desk and straight-backed chair is usually best (a bed is no place to study). Be neat! Take a few minutes to straighten your desk. This can help to reduce day-dreaming.
Realize that humans periodically need variety and relaxation. Intersperse rewards, relaxation, and gratification for work completed. This will help you feel less resentful of the task and the work that still needs to be done.
Monitor your progress on the small steps. Watch for the pitfalls discussed earlier. Assess problems when they arise and do something about them quickly. Keep track of the segments and how they fit together to form the whole picture. Reassess time commitments as necessary.
Be reasonable in your expectations of yourself. Perfectionist or extremely strict expectations may cause you to rebel or may sabotage your progress.
Orientation
Cougar Welcome Days
Online Orientation
Exemptions from Orientation
Online Orientation Guest Login
my
Cuesta Orientations
Out of District Athlete Orientation
Student Success Tips
Welcome Booklet
Featured News
View All News
»
Cuesta College Celebrates 59th Commencement Ceremony
Miossi Art Gallery Presents Annual Student Art Showcase
Cuesta College's Book of the Year Presents Acclaimed Author Myriam Gurba
Featured Events
View All Events
»
District Closed
July 4, 2024
Fast Track Registration Days NCC
July 10, 2024
San Luis Obispo County Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting
July 10, 2024
© 2024 Cuesta College