1. Putting off until tomorrow what you can do today.

2. Social networking (and encouraging friends to waste time, too, by texting or messaging them, or commenting on new blog entries, photos and status updates).

3. Writing to-do lists (instead of working on the actual assignments or tasks).

4. Cleaning and tidying up (as you can’t work in a messy room).

5. Organising your work (into neat piles, coloured folders etc.)   

6. Surfing the web (usually with no clear goal in mind – so it’s more of a distraction technique, or a way of relieving boredom).

7. Going in search of food; leaving your work to grab a coffee with friends.

8. Phone calls to friends (which often end up lasting longer than you’d intended).

9. Playing computer games (which can eat up a lot more time than you can afford!)

10. Exercise. (This can seem virtuous – but if it takes you away from important work then it’s more of a distraction than a proper excuse).