How to Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide for Students

It is no secret that students procrastinate. Research suggests that as many as 95% of students procrastinate. So, if you are a student who struggles with procrastination, know that you are not alone. But what exactly is procrastination? And why do students do it?

Procrastination can be defined as the act of putting something off or delaying it. In the context of school, this might mean putting off studying for an exam, writing a paper, or completing an assignment. There are many reasons why students might choose to procrastinate. For some, it may be a way of dealing with anxiety or stress. Others may procrastinate because they are perfectionists or have difficulty getting started on a task.

Whatever the reason, procrastination can have serious consequences. You can miss deadlines, get lower grades, and feel stressed. Procrastination can also affect your personal life, relationships, and mental and physical health. Learning to overcome procrastination is vital to success in school and life.

Top Reasons Why Students Procrastinate

Here are some of the most common reasons why students procrastinate:

Simple Laziness

The most apparent reason for this is also the most difficult to overcome. If a student is lazy, they may not see the point in completing their work on time. They may prefer watching TV or playing video games instead of working on schoolwork.

Fear of Failure

One of the most common reasons students procrastinate is fear of failing. They may think they will get a bad grade if they don’t do the task perfectly.

Perfectionism

The fear of failure is related to perfectionism. Some students may have such high standards that they think the task is never good enough. As a result, they keep putting it off until it’s “perfect.”

Lack of Interest

Another common reason students procrastinate is that they don’t care about the task. It may be something they are required to do for a class they don’t like or something they find boring.

Habit

For some students, procrastination has become a habit. They may not even realize they are doing it. They do it because it’s what they’ve always done. However, there are ways to change this behavior.

Time Management Skills

Many students procrastinate because they lack time-management skills. They may have difficulty prioritizing tasks or allocating time efficiently. As a result, they may feel overwhelmed by their workload and become discouraged.

Distractions

There are many distractions in the world today, both offline and online. Some students may find it challenging to focus on their work because of these distractions. However, students must learn to focus on their work and tune out distractions to be successful.

Fear of Success

Believe it or not, some students are afraid of success. They may think that if they do well, they will have to keep up the good work and may be unable to live up to the expectations.

Lack of Motivation

Some students may lack the motivation to start or finish their assignments due to a lack of interest in the subject matter.

Overwhelmed by the Task at Hand

If students feel that the task is too challenging, they may be tempted to postpone it. This is often the case with projects or papers due at the end of the semester. The student may feel they do not have enough time to complete the project, so they delay it until the last minute.

Coping Mechanism

For some students, procrastination may be a way of coping with anxiety or stress. It can be a way of avoiding the pressure of having to perform well.

Pressure

Many students feel pressure to succeed in school. This pressure may come from their parents, teachers, or high expectations.

Self-Sabotage

For some students, procrastination may be a form of self-sabotage. They may not believe they can do the work or are not good enough. As a result, they may not even try.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a common reason why students procrastinate. They may be anxious about the task at hand or about the outcome.

Depression

Depression is a common reason for procrastination. When students are depressed, they may not have the motivation to do anything, let alone their schoolwork.

Whatever the reason for your procrastination, it is crucial to take action to address the issue. Procrastination can have serious consequences, but it is possible to overcome it with a little effort and planning.

Tips to Help Students Overcome Procrastination

It is no secret that students are notorious for procrastinating. Whether it is putting off writing that paper or studying for that big test, procrastination is a common occurrence in the college setting. So what can be done to help students stop procrastinating? Below are five tips that may help students overcome this bad habit.

Understand Why You Procrastinate

If you procrastinate, it is essential to understand why. Are you trying to avoid a task that you find difficult or uninteresting? Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do? Or are you simply putting off what you need to do something more fun? Once you identify why you procrastinate, you can start addressing the issue.

Make a Plan

One way to overcome procrastination is to list the tasks you need to complete and when you need to complete them.

For example, if you need to write an essay, your plan might look something like this:

Choose a topic
Do some preliminary research
Write an outline
Write the first draft
Edit and revise
Submit the final draft

Break the Task Down Into Smaller Parts

If you feel overwhelmed by a task, break it down into smaller steps. Once you have a plan, taking small steps to complete the task is essential. This will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and make it easier to stay on track.

Set a Deadline

Another helpful tip is to set a deadline for yourself to help motivate you to get the task done on time.

Get Rid of Distractions

When trying to focus on a task, it is vital to eliminate anything that might distract you. You need to turn off your phone, close social media tabs, and find a quiet place to work.

Set a Time Limit

Set a timer for 20 minutes and tell yourself you will work on the task until the timer goes off. Once the timer goes off, you can take a five-minute break. This will help you get started and keep you from getting overwhelmed.

Find an Accountability Partner

It can be helpful to tell a friend or family member about your goal and to ask them to check in with you. This can help you stay on track and accountable.

Take Breaks

Working for long periods can be daunting and will likely lead to burnout. So, it is important to take breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around, grab a coffee, or take a few minutes to yourself. Just make sure you get back to work after your break!

Seek Help

If you’re struggling to overcome procrastination on your own, consider seeking help from a friend, teacher, or tutor. Having someone else to hold you accountable can be helpful.

Be Patient With Yourself

Overcoming procrastination requires time and effort. Be patient with yourself and trust that you will get there eventually.

Just Start

The most challenging part of a task is sometimes getting started. However, once you get going, it is often simpler to continue. Therefore, take that first step, and the rest will follow.

If you are struggling with procrastination, you can try these tips. They might not work for everyone, but they are worth a try. Remember, starting is the only way to overcome your fear of failure.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the reasons for procrastination and some strategies to stop, it’s time to get to work! The first step is the hardest, but once you get started, it will get easier. Get started today!

If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends and family who might also be struggling with procrastination. And if you have any other tips or tricks to stop procrastinating, please share them in the comments below!

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Llego, M. A. (2022, September 15). How to Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide for Students. TeacherPH. Retrieved September 15, 2022 from, https://www.teacherph.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-guide-students/

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