Uni life is super full on. Between classes, internships, placement and working, it’s pretty easy to forget that you actually have to do assignments.

If you’re like me, it means you’ve probably found yourself freaking out with 24 hours before a deadline trying to figure out how to smash out your assignment.

Luckily, the people over at DeskTime did a study on the most efficient way to have workers acting productively, and it works for last minute assignments too. The answer is simple: take more breaks. It’s 52 minutes working, 17 minutes break, rinse and repeat.

If that explanation isn’t clear enough, here is a pretty basic run down on how to finish a dreaded 1500 word essay in one day.

9am: Wake up

We’re not actually making you start work at 9am, but this will give you a solid hour to prepare yourself for the day. Have some breakfast, have a coffee, sit outside and listen to birds. Spend the morning relaxing! You have a busy yet productive day ahead.

10:00 – 10:52: Get That (Essay) Body Shaking 

Generally for essays your intro and conclusion should be written last, so start with the body. Your goal should be around is 300 words. It doesn’t sound like much but time will fly.

10:53 – 11:10: Check Your Socials

You’ve probably been tempted for the past 52 minutes. Well now you can.

11:10 – 12:02: Keep That Body In Shape

Another 300 words! Another paragraph! Another 52 minutes of great self control to get that assignment done!

12:03 – 12:20: Watch This Video  

Drunk Brendon Urie explaining the history of Fall Out Boy? Best way to kill some time while you have a break. Go grab some water as well – staying hydrated is important!

12:20 – 1:12: Write My Pretties, Write

Another 300 words should be your goal. By the end of this 52 minutes you should really have a draft body complete. Don’t stress if you don’t, there’s plenty of time.

1:13 – 1:30: Lunch Time

Your stomach may be performing its mating call and it’s time to fill those urges. Try 2 minute noodles so you can spend the other 15 reading online articles.

1:30 – 2:22: Hitting The Home Stretch

It’s intro and conclusion time! You should be able to smash through them. Now’s a good time to finish off those body paragraphs that might need a little extra work, too. That should get you to the 1,200 word mark.

2:23 – 2:40: Vine Time

When was the last time you went through the vine archives? At six seconds a video you could potentially watch 170 vines during this break.

2:40 – 3:32: The Dreaded Reference List

A necessary evil to prove you didn’t just make everything up. Spend this 52 minutes sorting your in text and reference list.

3:33 – 3:50: If Music Be The Food Of Love, Then Play On

This guy reckons he can teach you how to play guitar in 10 minutes. Go on, give it a go.

3:50 – 4:42: Edit

Print your work out and look at it with some fresh eyes. Read it out loud, grab a red pen and fix those pesky errors.

4:43 – 5:00: Figure Out What You’re Doing Tonight

You’ve worked hard so plan something fun tonight.

5:00 – 5:52: One Last Look Over And Submit

You’re pretty much done. Take a quick look over that bad boy and run it through Turnitin. You did it.

(Lead image: Bruce Almighty/Universal)